The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is thrilled to announce the new leadership for the 2025 Rodeo, set for March 4—March 23. HLSR’s board of directors met Thursday, May 30 to elect the 2025 nominees which include one new executive committee member, six new officers, twenty-six new directors and nine lifetime directors.
Chairman of the Board
Pat Mann Phillips was re-elected as chairman of the board and will serve for a second consecutive year in 2025. Trailblazing her inaugural year as chair, she served as the first female chairman in Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo history. She was an integral part of a historic season which included seven record-breaking auctions, two record-breaking paid stadium attendance records, the highest overall attendance record since 2017 and the inaugural RODEOHOUSTON® Hall of Fame. Phillips’ dedication to philanthropy and education contributed to the awarding of over $400,000 in Vocational Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year, marking a significant increase from the previous year. Furthermore, she showcased her appreciation to the over 35,000 volunteers by thanking them in the Rodeo’s first-ever Volunteer Appreciation Day, presented by Phillips 66.
Phillips first joined the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2001, was elected to the board of directors in 2012 and served as a vice president from 2016 to 2018. In 2018, she was elected to serve on the Executive Committee. Visit rodeohouston.com/About-Us/Our-Team/Volunteers to read her full biography.
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:
- Juan Garcia
Re-elected members at-large:
- Warner Ervin
- Jeffrey S. Hayes
- Ray Hinsley
- Parker Johnson
- Alan Kent
- Wesley Sinor
- Kelly Larkin, M.D.
- Robbie Smith
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:
- Joe Van Matre
Officers
The board re-elected Chris Boleman, president and CEO and Katie Grahmann, chief financial officer, corporate treasurer, and interim corporate secretary.
Eighteen vice presidents, elected for one-year terms, not to exceed three years, supervise the activities of the Rodeo’s more than 35,000 volunteers serving on 110 different committees.
Newly elected:
- Stan Horton
- Russell Jones
- Mark Kelly
- Sean Lehane
- Kristie Manning
- David Smith
Re-elected:
- Wendy Lewis Armstrong
- Ginger Brown
- Johnny Causey
- John Grimes
- Robert Hodge
- Rick Jones
- Amy Pinkham Miller
- Aimee Coates Monteverde
- James Mora
- David Stone
- Justin Tankersley
- Lance Welch
Board of Directors
Twenty-six new directors were elected to serve on the Rodeo’s board:
- Steven Barrier
- James Bialas
- Robert “Bubba” Blasingame
- Justin Clark
- Frank “Chipper” Clawson
- Randy “Col” Davis
- Scott Fish
- Spike Garcia
- Jimmy Guinn
- Matthew Hogue
- Justin Kirby
- Jason Knecht
- Keith Letsos
- Michael Martinez
- Laura McNear
- Michael Mitchell
- William B. “Bill” Nelson
- Kevin O’Kelley
- Sammy Osbourn
- Marcus Palermo
- Cam Raison
- Monica Robinson
- Ronald “Ronnie” Ruffeno
- Lauren Spinks
- Laura Taylor
- Susan Terry
Lifetime Directors
In addition, 9 directors were honored with the status of lifetime director for their dedicated service to the Rodeo:
- Fred Boas
- Doug Bosch
- Gary Glover
- David Johnson
- Philip Leggett MD
- Pat Smith
- Sam Wiggins
- Betty Wiseman
- Mike Wollam
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 $600 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2025 Rodeo is scheduled for March 4 – 23. The 2025 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 27 – March 1. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and follow @RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.