The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) is thrilled to announce the new leadership for the 2026 Rodeo, set for March 2-22. HLSR’s board of directors met Tuesday, June 3, to elect the 2026 nominees which include a new chairman-elect of the board, two new at-large Executive Committee members, six new officers, 26 new directors and 13 lifetime directors.
Chairman of the Board
For the third consecutive year, Pat Mann Phillips was elected chairman of the board. She played a key role in the historic 2025 season, which welcomed more than 2.7 million people over the 23-day event, setting an all-time attendance record, broke 10 auction records, and celebrated inductions into both the RODEOHOUSTON® Hall of Fame and the RODEOHOUSTON Star Trail of Fame and more.
She also spearheaded the expansion of the Rodeo’s vocational scholarship program, which increased its commitment to $500,000 in 2025 and is part of a total educational commitment of $28 million, the highest amount ever. A volunteer since 2002, Phillips has shown her appreciation for the Rodeo’s 36,000 other volunteers by creating the first-ever Volunteer Appreciation Day, presented by Phillips 66.
Chairman-Elect of the Board
Wesley Sinor has been deeply involved with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo since 2003, initially joining the organization as a member of the Gatekeepers Committee. Throughout his 22 years as a volunteer, he has served on several committees, including Feed Store, Houston General Go Texan, Livestock, Rodeo Ops, Armed Forces Appreciation, Grand Entry, and Quarter Horse. Before being elected to the Executive Committee in the Spring of 2017, Sinor served as a Rodeo vice president from 2014 to 2016 and was elected to the board of directors in 2009. Since joining the Executive Committee, he has remained active on several standing committees and most notably served as chairman of the audit and budget committees.
Sinor is a proud graduate of Texas A&M University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and Rice University, where he received an MBA. He was born in Pasadena, Texas, and met his wife, Cassie, who is also a Rodeo volunteer, through HLSR.
Sinor will spend the year as chairman-elect shadowing Phillips as she finishes out her final term as chairman of the board through the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee includes the chairman of the board, the past chairmen of the board for each of the immediately preceding nine years, and at least five members who are elected at large from the board of directors.
Newly elected member at-large:
- Roger Camp
- Jeff Hildebrand
Re-elected members at-large:
- Warner Ervin
- Juan Garcia
- Jeffrey S. Hayes
- Parker Johnson
- Alan Kent
- Kelly Larkin, M.D.
- Robbie Smith
- Wesley Sinor
Non-elected members (current and past presidents and chairmen of the board):
- Pat Mann Phillips
- Jim Bloodworth
- Brady F. Carruth
- Don D. Jordan
- Jack A. Lyons
- Jim Winne
Lifetime executive committee appointment:
- Ray Hinsley
Officers
The board re-elected Chris Boleman, president and CEO and Katie Grahmann, chief financial officer and corporate treasurer, and Harry Perrin, general counsel and corporate secretary.
Eighteen vice presidents, elected for one-year terms, not to exceed three years, supervise the activities of the Rodeo’s more than 36,000 volunteers serving on 109 different committees.
Newly elected:
- Stacy Anderson
- Martha Ceballos
- Nancy Motley
- Robert Pike
- Michael Sachs
- Jim Sartwelle III
Re-elected:
- Johnny Causey
- Stan Horton
- Russell Jones
- Mark Kelly
- Sean Lehane
- Kristie Manning
- Aimee Coates Monteverde
- Amy Pinkham Miller
- David Smith
- David Stone
- Justin Tankersley
- Lance Welch
Board of Directors
Twenty-six new directors were elected to serve on the Rodeo’s board:
- Tony Bradfield
- Tim Brinkmeyer
- Derek Causey
- Andrew Clendennen
- Janeen Comer
- Paxton Crew
- Cheryl Deitcher
- David Dwyer
- John Fussell
- Alan Goodrich
- Jay Graham
- Craig Johnson
- Melisa Jordan
- Emily Loftus
- Jennifer Lowery
- Ann Massey
- Vincent Montalbano
- Dustan Neyland
- Craig Paton
- Donna Prihoda
- Richard Rolland
- Mike Sarubbi
- James “JD” Slaughter
- Miller Vaughan
- Patti Wilburn
- Wendell York
Lifetime Directors
In addition, 13 directors were honored with the status of lifetime director for their dedicated service to the Rodeo:
- Mike Brem
- Steve Ehrig
- Stephen Estes
- Diane Gautreaux
- Mike Hartwig
- Lance Heacock
- Danny Lang, Jr.
- Pamela Logsdon
- Gary McMullen
- Donald Middleton
- Jeanne Shirey-Lord
- Sharon Simmons
- Randy Trahan
About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $630 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2026 Rodeo is scheduled for March 2 – 22. The 2026 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 26 – 28. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com, download the RODEOHOUSTON app and follow @RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.