The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ is pleased to announce its new leadership, elected during a June 2 board meeting, as the organization prepares for the 2027 season, set for March 2–21. The newly elected Chairman of the Board, along with six officers and 22 directors, will help advance key priorities focused on preserving the Rodeo’s rich history while positioning the organization for the future.
With new leadership guiding its 95th anniversary, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is focused on planning for the future, which includes the initial stages of its centennial planning, exploration of growth and expansion, continued efforts to strengthen the Rodeo’s year-round presence and the establishment of a legacy giving program. As we look ahead to our centennial celebration in 2032, our strategic planning efforts include engaging volunteers to help prepare for this historic milestone, ensuring the anniversary is meaningful, impactful and celebrated by the community.
Chairman 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 Operations, 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 the Rodeo.
Sinor’s term as Chairman of the Board begins immediately and succeeds Pat Mann Phillips. Under Phillips’ leadership, the Rodeo advanced through a transformative era of growth while remaining grounded in the traditions that define the organization. Her term was marked by expanded educational opportunities, deeper community and volunteer engagement, and visionary planning. Together, these initiatives strengthened the foundation for the organization’s year-round impact for the next generation.
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.
Re-elected members at-large:
- Roger Camp (2nd term)
- Warner Ervin (8th term)
- Juan Garcia (3rd term)
- Jeff Hayes (4th term)
- Jeff Hildebrand (2nd term)
- Parker Johnson (8th term)
- Alan Kent (4th term)
- Kelly Larkin, M. D. (7th term)
- Robbie Smith (7th term)
Non-elected members (current and past presidents and chairmen of the board):
- Pat Mann Phillips
- Jim Bloodworth
- Brady F. Carruth
- Don D. Jordan
- Jim Winne
Lifetime executive committee appointment:
- Jack Lyons, former Chairman of the Board
Officers
The board re-elected Chris Boleman, president and CEO and Katie Grahmann, chief financial officer and corporate treasurer. Newly elected Chris Atmar will serve as 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.
Six new vice presidents have been elected:
- John Hantak
- Vanessa Kent
- Mac Ruffeno
- Mike Rutherford
- Lisa Schutzenhofer
- Tracy Troup
Twelve vice presidents have been re-elected:
- Stacy Stidham Anderson (second term)
- Martha Ceballos (second term)
- Stan Horton (third term)
- Russell Jones (third term)
- Mark Kelly (third term)
- Sean Lehane (third term)
- Kristie Manning (third term)
- Nancy Motley (second term)
- Robert Pike, Jr. (second term)
- Michael Sachs (second term)
- James “Jim” Sartwelle, III (second term)
- David Smith (third term)
Board of Directors
Twenty-two new directors were elected to serve on the Rodeo’s board:
- Liza Alonzo
- LaShandra Boddy
- Johnny Cargill
- Stacy DeMarco
- John Deterling
- Naomi Favela
- Chris Gillman
- Chris Gilstrap
- Kristy Glazebrook
- Joel Gray
- Wayman Hutchings
- Kenneth Jones
- Todd Keeling
- Mark Lee
- Stephen McKinney
- Pat Mizell
- Georgia Morgan
- Scott Reed
- Angie Robertson
- Laura Salinas-Pruneda
- Dan Sullivan
- David Wick
Lifetime Directors
In addition, 14 directors were honored with the status of lifetime director for their dedicated service to the Rodeo:
- Jason Beal
- Jim Billings
- Christopher Ennis
- Tom Harrison
- Brad Hildebrand
- W. Jerry Kent
- Andy McLeod
- Mike Pillow
- Bob Porter
- Kevin Rech
- Cyndy Garza Roberts
- Robert Steele
- Richard Weiman
- Jamie Whitfill