HLSR Spec 050113 Final

 President & Chief Executive Officer
Position Specification
May 2013
CONFIDENTIAL
Prepared by
Gregory R. Santore
Jennifer Biehn
This Position Specification is intended to provide information about the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the
position of President & Chief Executive Officer. It is designed to assist qualified individuals in assessing their
interest.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO The Opportunity
For three weeks in late February through mid-March, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is more
than an event…it’s a way of life!
Established in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (also known as RodeoHouston or HLSR) is
the world’s largest live entertainment event and livestock exhibition. Growth of the Show has been
consistent thanks to the support of Houstonians and the 28,000 volunteers who truly are the heartbeat of
the Show.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo goes well beyond entertaining its visitors each year (2.5 million
in 2013) by making a significant educational impact on the youth of Texas. In 2013, more than $25
million will be committed to education through scholarships and grants as a result of this year’s Show.
To continue its ambitious aspirations for growth and giving, HLSR seeks a President and CEO to lead its
operations in ever-changing economic times and who has the vision and ingenuity to raise the bar to
even higher levels. The timing is truly ideal for a new President and CEO to take the reins as plans for the
2014 Show are already underway.
To refer to HLSR as a complex organization is a vast understatement. It is an entertainment machine
driven by the 91 employees and 28,000 volunteers who serve on over 107 different committees to
facilitate the Show. To build upon its success, HLSR’s President and CEO will be an exceptional leader of
people and programs with a demonstrated track record of success. He or she will possess excellent
communication and relationship-building skills as is required to inspire and coordinate the complex
activities and interactions of a volunteer force of this magnitude. Experience at the leadership level of a
complex organization is absolutely necessary.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s new President and CEO will have the opportunity to lead an
already successful organization to unprecedented heights and have significant educational and economic
impact in the Houston region.
For information regarding how to submit a nomination or express personal interest in this position, please
see the section titled “Procedure for Candidacy” near the conclusion of this document.
Witt/Kieffer 2 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
Celebrating Agriculture, Education, Entertainment & Western Heritage
History
For more than 80 years, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been the heartbeat of the
Southwest, beating powerfully with more than 28,000 volunteers who annually contribute their time,
resources, and talent as part of the world's largest livestock exhibition, world's richest regular-season
rodeo, and the Southwest's premier entertainment event. Since the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
was established, it has made an impressive footprint on the livestock and entertainment industries and in
the sport of rodeo. It also has played a notable role in enhancing the lives of thousands of young people
in the state of Texas. The many milestones celebrated in the past 80 years have all contributed to
Houston's most popular event.
Mission Statement
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ was organized for charitable, educational and scientific
purposes to encourage and promote the breeding, raising and marketing of better livestock and farm
products at public fairs and to promote and maintain research and educational functions within the
livestock industry. It is the general policy of the Show to utilize, in the fiscal year subsequent to which it
is earned, the excess of its revenue over expenses for the furtherance of its exempt purpose, including
the granting and/or funding of scholarships, educational endowments, agricultural research projects and
other similar programs. The funds of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo are used exclusively to
meet necessary expenses for its upkeep and operation and in furtherance of the exempt purpose of the
organization.
$330 Million to the Youth of Texas
Since its beginning in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has committed more than $330
million to scholarships, research, endowments, calf scramble participants, junior Show exhibitors, School
Art participants, and other educational youth programs.
Witt/Kieffer 3 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO The Economic Impact of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on the Houston Regional
Community
Because the Show Exists:
• Annual aggregate gross sales are increased by $475,403,000.
• Annual gross regional product is increased by $320,221,000.
• Annual personal incomes are raised by $290,710,000.
• 7,265 full-time equivalent jobs are created.
• The local population is increased by 16,316 people.
• Residential capital is changed by $361,877,000.
• Non-residential capital is changed by $420,125,000.
• The annual fiscal dividend (tax revenues) to local government is increased by $27,344,000.
Expanded over the life of the Show's current 30-year lease at Reliant Park, the
increase in government revenue is estimated by the Show staff to exceed
$820,000,000.
Above is an estimate based upon results of the 2010 Show in a study prepared by Barton Smith, Ph.D.,
Professor of Economics, Emeritus, University of Houston.
The complete study can downloaded via link:
http://admin.rodeohouston.com/Portals/0/Downloads/AboutUs/hlsr_econ_impact_2010.pdf
Witt/Kieffer 4 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO Financial Performance
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Inc.
(A combined entity comprised of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Inc., Houston Livestock
Show and Rodeo Educational Fund and Corral Club, Inc.)
Combined Statements of Activities
Years Ended August 31, 2012 and 2011
2012
2011
$ 72,628,076
34,215,185
3,403,434
382,425
$ 68,953,634
30,644,034
3,350,000
560,601
110,629,120
103,508,269
65,783,623
-
62,091,401
1,133,643
5,882,167
9,762,000
3,636,397
5,048,165
9,066,000
1,953,157
85,064,187
79,292,366
6,966,287
6,824,766
7,166,968
6,649,392
Total supporting expenses
13,791,053
13,816,360
Total expenses
98,855,240
93,108,726
Change in unrestricted net assets from operations
11,773,880
10,399,543
10,444,472
7,861
(289,245)
(2,413,744)
14,238,019
27,722
(416,493)
(355,665)
19,523,224
23,893,126
162,972,538
139,079,412
$ 182,495,762
$ 162,972,538
Operating revenues
Program revenues
Donations and contributions
Membership fees
Other income
Total operating revenues
Program expenses
Livestock show and rodeo operations
RITE Reading Program
Youth and educational programs
Contributions to junior show exhibitors
Scholarships awarded
Educational programs, research programs and other
Total program expenses
Supporting expenses
General and administrative
Fundraising
Nonoperating activities
Net investment income on investment securities
Other interest income
Interest expense
Pension-related changes other than net periodic cost
Change in unrestricted net assets
Unrestricted net assets
Beginning of year
End of year
Witt/Kieffer 5 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Inc.
(A combined entity comprised of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Inc., Houston Livestock
Show and Rodeo Educational Fund and Corral Club, Inc.)
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended August 31, 2012 and 2011
Operating activities
Change in unrestricted net assets
Adjustments to reconcile change in unrestricted net assets
to net cash provided by operating activities
Provision for depreciation and amortization
Net realized gain on sale of investments
Net unrealized gain on investment securities
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets
Change in fair value of interest rate swap
Change in unfunded pension plan obligation
Change in assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses
Other assets
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Deposits
Scholarship awards payable and committed
Deferred revenues
2012
2011
$ 19,523,224
$ 23,893,126
3,414,990
(1,872,262)
(5,034,553)
(2,000)
(187,883)
2,195,337
3,451,630
(2,455,902)
(8,288,429)
25,134
(137,784)
749,140
303,047
1,360
(67,640)
300,320
(24,689)
1,118,875
16,305,757
472,070
(63,980)
(336,684)
791,108
52,280
40,250
(7,636,149)
Net cash provided by operating activities
35,973,883
10,555,810
Investing activities
Purchase of investment securities
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities
Purchase of fixed assets
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
(55,830,077)
30,745,245
(2,685,380)
2,000
(62,729,816)
52,021,389
(1,697,395)
-
(27,768,212)
(12,405,822)
(1,100,000)
(1,050,000)
(1,100,000)
(1,050,000)
7,105,671
(2,900,012)
16,830,778
19,730,790
$ 23,936,449
$ 16,830,778
Net cash used in investing activities
Financing activities
Payment of bonds
Net cash used in financing activities
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year
End of year
6 Witt/Kieffer The accompanying notes are an integral part of the combined financial statements
4
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO Experience the Rodeo: 2013 Success
All In, All Done! 2013 Show Concludes With Record-Shattering Attendance
Posted on Monday, March 18, 2013
As the world’s largest livestock Show and rodeo, it is no surprise that the Houston Livestock Show and
Rodeo breaks records, but to shatter past numbers as significantly as it did in 2013 is beyond Show
officials’ wildest dreams. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo attendance actually exceeded the
population of the city of Houston, with more than 2.5 million visitors.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather, better fans or better entertainment, and with the help of
more than 28,000 volunteers, the Show was able to cater to an astonishing 2.5 million people — what a
remarkable achievement,” said Skip Wagner, then president of the Show.
Following are highlights from the 2013 Show:
Attendance
- The 2013 Houston Livestock Show and
Rodeo entertained 2,506,238 visitors (all
activities on the grounds).
- The one-day total attendance record
was set Saturday, March 16, with 174,507
visitors.
- The RODEOHOUSTON® paid
attendance record of 1,308,288 fans enjoyed
action-packed rodeo performances and
superstars in concert.
- Five RODEOHOUSTON performances
landed in the list of the Show’s top 20 paid
Rodeo attendance records, taking the top five
spots:
o
o
o
o
o
first: March 10, 2013 – Julion Alvarez and Los Invasores de Nuevo Leon – 75,305
second: March 16, 2013 – Luke Bryan – 75,242
third: March 15, 2013 – Blake Shelton – 75,238
fourth: March 14, 2013 – Pitbull – 75,217
fifth: March 7, 2013 – Bruno Mars – 75,177
-
A record 264,132 people attended the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest to help kick off
the Show, Feb. 21 – 23.
-
The Sunday, March 17, concert-only performance with George Strait, Martina McBride and the
Randy Rogers Band set an all-time paid attendance record for Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
concerts, and for any event in Reliant Stadium, with 80,020 people. Prior to the concert, the Show
held a re-dedication ceremony at its Star Trail of Fame for George Strait, elevating him as the first
platinum honoree. Also announced was the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo George Strait
Scholarship, which will be awarded annually, from 2013 forward, through the Show’s Educational
Fund.
Witt/Kieffer 7 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO RODEOHOUSTON
RODEOHOUSTON committed
more than $2 million to its
contestants in 2013.
The 2013 RODEOHOUSTON BP
Super Series, an international,
invitation-only rodeo, featured
the world's top 40 cowboys and
cowgirls in seven events
With the entire purse provided by
RODEOHOUSTON, and no entry
fees required by the contestants,
rodeo athletes competed for a
share of $1.68 million in prize
money, and each event champion
walked away from Reliant
Stadium with at least $50,000, a RODEOHOUSTON trophy saddle and a champion buckle.
2013 RODEOHOUSTON BP Super Series Champions, with total money earned, are:
Tie-Down Roping: Fred Whitfield – Hockley, Texas – $57,200
Bareback Riding: Tom McFarland – Bowie, Texas – $54,200
Team Roping: Justin Davis / Clay Cooper – Madisonville, Texas / Gardnerville,
Nev. – $108,400
Saddle Bronc Riding: Wade Sundell – Boxholm, Iowa – $62,500
Steer Wrestling: K.C. Jones – Decatur, Texas – $53,950
Barrel Racing: Nancy Hunter – Neola, Utah – $53,000
Bull Riding: JW Harris – Mullin, Texas – $56,300
The RODEOHOUSTON Super Shootout®: North America’s Champions presented by Crown Royal was
held Saturday, March 9, 2013. This groundbreaking, invitation-only, one-day event featured champion
athletes from 10 of the best rodeos in the United States and Canada. Contestants competed in Bareback
Riding, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding and Saddle Bronc Riding. With a total purse of $200,000, the Super
Shootout is the richest one-day rodeo event in the world. Each champion earned $25,000 and a
champion buckle.
2013 champions of the RODEOHOUSTON Super Shootout, presented by Crown Royal, and the rodeos
they represented, are:
Bareback Riding: Casey Colletti, Cheyenne Frontier Days
Barrel Racing: Mary Walker, Cheyenne Frontier Days
Bull Riding: Wesley Silcox, Rodeo Austin
Saddle Bronc Riding: Cody Wright, RODEOHOUSTON
Super Shootout Team Award: Cheyenne Frontier Days
Witt/Kieffer 8 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW™
This year’s livestock competitions and
horse shows boasted 27,070 entries.
Eight of the junior market and School Art
auction Grand Champion and Reserve
Grand Champion sales set new records.
The prices for the top winners were (*
indicates new world’s records):
*Grand Champion Barrow, $200,000;
*Reserve Grand Champion Barrow,
$126,000
Grand Champion Pen of Broilers,
$160,000; Reserve Grand Champion Pen
of Broilers, $105,000
*Grand Champion Goat, $156,000; Reserve Grand Champion Goat, $100,000
*Grand Champion Lamb, $220,000; *Reserve Grand Champion Lamb, $136,000
Grand Champion Steer, $360,000; Reserve Grand Champion Steer, $210,000
Grand Champion Turkey, $110,000; *Reserve Grand Champion Turkey, $110,000
*Grand Champion Work of Art, $210,000; *Reserve Grand Champion Work of Art, $195,000
Junior auction sales totaled $9,993,721.
The junior auction totals (unaudited preliminary totals that do not include cash contributions and some
purchase commitment amounts) included:
Steers: $3,175,000
Lamb and Goat: $2,017,071
Barrow: $1,504,150
Poultry: $1,556,900
School Art: $1,740,600
The Junior Commercial Steer Sale totaled $606,852.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Champion Wine Auction brought in $1,582,000, including a
Show record price of $215,000 for the Grand Champion Best of Show, and a Show record price of
$205,000 for the Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show.
The Ranching & Wildlife auction totaled $236,000.
Online and Social Media
Since Jan. 1, 2013, the Show’s social media outlets have seen significant growth in followers.
- Facebook likes increased by 70,561, a 28.7 percent increase.
- RODEOHOUSTON’s Twitter followers increased by 107.6 percent since Jan. 1, 2013, to currently
more than 30,000.
- The Harlem Shake dance video craze took the social media world by storm, and when
RODEOHOUSTON created its own version, it, too, gave nation-wide exposure to the Show, with
nearly 245,000 views in just two weeks. To watch, visit http://www.youtube.com/rodeohouston.
Witt/Kieffer 9 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO 2013 Schedule of Events
For a detailed Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo detailed schedule of events of the 2013 Show, please
view via link: http://rodeohouston.com/portals/0/Downloads/2013DailySchedule_online.pdf
2013 RodeoHouston Entertainers
Historical Attendance (* indicates record set)
Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Witt/Kieffer Total Attendance 1,889,861 1,382,183 1,563,662 1,745,351 1,890,174 1,740,095 1,688,103 1,806,129 1,802,158 1,890,332 2,144,077 2,262,834 2,257,970 *2,506,238 Paid Rodeo Houston Attendance 1,101,478 1,031,570 1,091,955 1,215,913 1,126,092 1,127,239 1,115,558 1,176,436 1,206,551 1,182,128 1,264,074 1,255,323 1,283,419 *1,308,288 10 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO Houston, Texas
The style-savvy residents of the country’s fourth-largest city and third-largest county (Harris) know that
there’s no place quite like Houston. With more than 6 million residents in the eight -county Houston
Metropolitan Marketing Area, the Metro attracts visitors and transplants with a wonderful mix of worldclass arts, booming business, pro sports and award-winning cuisine.
Twenty-five companies on the Fortune 500 list call the Energy Capital of the World home. Aeronautic
research is unsurpassed at NASA headquarters—the facility responsible for putting the first man on the
moon—and Texas Medical Center remains the largest in the world with 47 highly lauded research and
treatment institutions.
Size / Population
At 634 square miles, the City of Houston could contain the cities of New York, Washington, Boston, San
Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis and Miami.
Houston, with 2.3 million residents, is the fourth most populous city in the United States, trailing only
New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Value
Houston ranks first among U.S. cities where paychecks stretch the furthest, according to Forbes.
Overall Culture
Houston came in at No. 7 on The New York Times' list of the 46 Places to Go in 2013. Forbes named
Houston the "Coolest City" in the country in 2012, citing factors such as the strong economy, dynamic
arts scene and multiculturalism.
Witt/Kieffer 11 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO Governance
The Staff Overview
- 90+ employees
- 9 Divisions
o Executive
o Administrative & Tickets
o Agricultural Exhibits
o Exhibits & Attractions
o Financial
o Information Systems
o Legal & Human Resources
o Marketing & Public Relations
o Operations
The Volunteers
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ would not be the well-run success that it is today without the
vision, dedication, leadership and hard work of its volunteers. What began as a small group of people
with a dream has developed into an event supported by the efforts of 28,000 volunteers.
Serving on more than 100 different committees, these volunteers keep the Houston Livestock Show and
Rodeo's mission alive. They commit their time and talents to support continuing education for the youth
of Texas, plus share a passion for our Western heritage. What may be surprising to many is the diversity
of volunteers that dedicate their time to this immense organization — people from Houston and hundreds
of cities across Texas, people from outside of Texas, executives who run multimillion dollar companies,
full-time students working on their education, people who are volunteering for the first time, and those
that have been volunteering for decades. There are no boundaries for these dedicated volunteers.
The efforts of the volunteers are most apparent during the Show when they are directing traffic, assisting
exhibitors, providing hospitality, greeting guests, coordinating contests and more. But in a year's time,
each volunteer donates an average of 67.7 hours of service to the Show. This includes year-round efforts
such as raising money for scholarships, planning and organizing events, holding Go Texan contests,
speaking to groups about the Show, working with auction buyers, setting up facilities and much more.
The Executive Committee
The purpose of the Executive Committee is to give guidance and authority to the officers and the
managers of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ for the orderly operation and management
of the Show as a civic and educational event. The committee also carries out the purposes and
policies of the board of directors.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Executive Committee is comprised of the current Show
chairman of the board, all past presidents and board chairs, and at least five members elected
from the board of directors, who may each serve up to nine, one-year terms.
Witt/Kieffer 12 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO The Vice Presidents
Each Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Vice President is elected by the board of directors at
its yearly meeting following the Show's annual meeting. These Vice Presidents are elected for
one-year terms, serving no more than three successive years.
Serving as officer in charge, each Vice President handles many committee assignments. In
addition to serving as a Show representative, Vice Presidents provide vital leadership essential to
keeping the Show vibrant and progressive.
The Board of Directors
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Board of Directors is primarily responsible for the
performance and operations of the Show. The Board also elects members of the Executive
Committee, elects officers and has full authority in the purchase and sale of real estate related to
the Show.
Under the Show's bylaws, the Board of Directors is no less than 190 members nor more than 350
members selected from the Show's general membership, plus the Chairman of the Board, the
President and the Vice Presidents. Should a vacancy on the Board occur at any time between
annual meetings, the chairman of the board may appoint a qualified person to fill the unexpired
term.
Lifetime Board of Directors
In accordance with the bylaws of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™, a Lifetime Director is
a member of the Board of Directors who has served the organization with distinction. The
member is nominated as a Lifetime Director by the Nominating Committee and confirmed by a
majority vote of the general membership at the annual meeting.
Election as a Lifetime Director is a very special honor, reserved for those individuals who have
shown a true dedication to the Show and its goals and purposes. Selection for this position
represents years of hard work put into the Show.
Witt/Kieffer 13 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO Chairman of the Board
R.H. “Steve” Stevens Jr.
On May 12, 2011, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Board of Directors
elected R.H. "Steve" Stevens Jr. as the Show's Chairman of the Board.
Stevens' parents began taking him to the Show as a child, and he quickly
developed a love of animals that has endured to this day. After joining the Show
in 1975, Stevens volunteered briefly on the Beef Scramble Sponsors Committee,
as the Calf Scramble Committee was called at the time, and the Steer Auction
Committee, and he later served on numerous Horse Show committees as well as
the Executive Committee's audit-budget committee. Stevens was elected to the
Show's Board of Directors in 1992. In 1998, after completing three years as General Horse Show
Chairman, he was elected a Vice President of the Show and served as Officer in charge of all 16 Horse
Show committees, in addition to the Junior Horse Show Judging and Livery Team committees. Stevens
has been a member of the Show's Executive Committee since 2005.
Stevens’ family has strong ties to the Show. He and his wife, Kay, have two daughters; Courtney, a past
chairman of the Junior Horse Show Committee, and Elizabeth, also is a member of the Junior Horse Show
Committee. One of their son-in-laws, Jim Bob Taylor, is Chairman of the Breeders Greeters Committee.
Their other son-in-law, Robert Becker, is a division Chairman on the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que
Committee.
Stevens is the Managing Partner at the accounting firm of Stevens & Matthews LLP, in Houston. Stevens
has served on the Board of Directors of numerous organizations, both business and charitable. In 1999,
then-Governor George W. Bush appointed Stevens to the board of regents of the Texas A&M University
system, where he served as Chairman of the finance and audit committees and as a member of various
other committees. Stevens also was a member of the Board of Directors of The University of Texas
Investment Management Company, which is responsible for the investment of endowment funds of The
University of Texas and Texas A&M University, and served as chairman of its audit and budget
committee. In 2003, Stevens served as President of the American Quarter Horse Association, an
organization with more than 350,000 members in the United States and worldwide.
Witt/Kieffer 14 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO The Role of President & Chief Executive Officer
THE ROLE OF THE POSITION
In concert with the Chairman of the Board, the President and CEO is a chief strategist and communicator
for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The person in this position is responsible for ensuring
integrated, strategic, and consistent relations and development efforts and is a key liaison with donors
and sponsors. The President and CEO has overall responsibility for the planning and direction of the
organization and for the relationship management of all constituencies including the 28,000 volunteers,
professional staff, partners, sponsors, vendors, government entities, and other stakeholders.
OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR LEADERSHIP
Among the many opportunities the new President and CEO will have to be successful, the following
represent some of those by which his or her performance will be evaluated during the first few years of
his or her tenure. They are presented here in no particular order of importance.
Understand and Promote HLSR’s Rodeo Culture
The common thread that drives staff and volunteers alike is their love for the Show and the
Rodeo Culture that encompasses it. The new President and CEO must embrace this culture
organically and promote it in order to succeed. The success of this “entertainment machine” can
be attributed to the commitment from its volunteer corps and staff to live the values and embody
the spirit of the Show; this starts at the top. HLSR’s successful track record should be looked at
(and acted on) as a springboard to the next level of success.
Lead with authority, compassion and emotional intelligence
The new President and CEO will be skilled at getting individuals, teams, and an entire
organization to perform at a higher level and to embrace change. He or she negotiates skillfully to
achieve a fair outcome or promote a common cause; communicates a compelling vision of the
HLSR; is committed to what needs to be done; inspires others; builds motivated, high-performing
teams and understands what motivates different people. He or she will learn the business, along
with the organization and will understand what it takes to create and run a successful event.
The new President and CEO is a person of high character; is consistent and acts in line with a
clear and visible set of values and beliefs; deals and talks straight; leads by example and is direct
and truthful but at the same time, keep confidences. He or she will build relationships with the
Executive Committee, Board of Directors, staff and all key stakeholders in the organization.
The President and CEO must be willing to put ego aside and be quick to help others, have and
show empathy and sympathy, go out of his/her way for others, make time to listen, make
allowances for those in trouble and know how to build long-term relationships. It would be
expected that the new leader meet with as many individuals as possible to learn what makes the
HLSR so successful and how to maintain that success.
Witt/Kieffer 15 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO Possess communication expertise
The President and CEO must be a masterful communicator and must have the agility to adjust his
or her communication style to any audience.
The pride of HLSR’s volunteer corps is unsurpassed. From the lead volunteer, the Chairman of the
Board, to a parking attendant during the Show – each volunteer is of the utmost importance to
the success of the organization. The President and CEO must demonstrate strong leadership
through compassion and appreciation for the volunteers.
As President and CEO, this leader will be expected to build relationships with HLSR partners, such
as Harris County and the Houston Texans – two entities who share a common interest in the
success of the Show.
To get the most and best out of the staff and volunteer corps, the President and CEO must set
and communicate guiding goals; measure accomplishments; hold people accountable; keep
people informed; and provide coaching for today and for the future. The new President and CEO
will understand the vision of the HLSR and will be able to communicate the vision throughout all
parts of the organization, community and media.
Be a visionary for revenue generation and growth
For 80+ years, the HLSR has continued to grow on every level; revenue, giving, attendance and
volunteer corps. Most of the challenges the organization has faced on a revenue level through the
years can be attributed to economic downturns and challenges in the country. The President and
CEO will be presented with the opportunity to look to the future and create a plan that gives the
organization continued growth while staying relevant to an ever-evolving demographic.
Opportunities for growth may include:
•
•
•
•
Determining best use for the 48 acres of land next to Reliant Park, formerly AstroWorld,
HSLR acquired at the end of 2012.
Expanding event offerings throughout the year for Houstonians, for example, a summer
festival.
Expanding the capacity and utilization of Reliant Park for HLSR’s use during designated
Tenant Event Days.
Determining new ways to implement value-added up selling of existing inventory.
Be a stable force of Leadership
The bylaws of the HLSR govern that the role of Chairman will be elected for one term every three
years. As such, there is a need for the new President and CEO to be a stable and constant leader
as the term of the Chairperson changes. The role of the President and CEO will be critical to
ensure the culture and “essence” of the HLSR is maintained regardless of individual change.
Witt/Kieffer 16 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO The Role of President & Chief Executive Officer
Official Job Description
As defined in the current HLSR Bylaws:
•
The President shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization and report directly
to the Executive Committee. The President shall be responsible for carrying out the mission
and objectives of the organization in compliance with the Bylaws and policies adopted by the
Board of Directors.
•
The President shall work closely with the Chairman of the Board in formulating policy
recommendations to the Executive Committee and in representing the organization with its
external constituencies. The President shall preside at all annual and special meetings of the
membership and all regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors in the absence of
the Chairman of the Board.
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The President shall have the power to execute, or to supervise and authorize the execution on
behalf of the organization, of any contracts, deeds, mortgages bonds or other instruments that
the Executive Committee has authorized, generally or specifically, except in cases where the
signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Executive Committee, by
these Bylaws or by statute to some other officer or agent of the organization; and in general,
shall perform such other duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as
may be prescribed by the Executive Committee from time to time.
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The President shall represent the organization at any and all times when, at the President's
discretion, it becomes necessary to do so, and shall carry out the rules, regulations, policies
and plans of the Board of Directors. The President shall serve as an ex officio member of all
committees.
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The President shall supervise the Vice President-Chief Operating Officer in the administration
and conduct of the organization's operations.
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The President shall further appoint and supervise a General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer
and Chief Information Officer in the administration and conduct of the organization's
operations.
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The President shall recommend the employment and compensation of the Vice PresidentChief Operating Officer, General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, and
all of the salaried managers and staff personnel, subject to the approval of the Executive
Committee.
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The President shall appoint all volunteer committee members and committee chairmen, subject
to the approval of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and shall coordinate and implement
volunteer committee activities and operations.
Witt/Kieffer 17 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO •
Whenever the President may be incapacitated or otherwise unable to act as determined by
a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee shall name an
acting President, who shall have all powers of the President while serving in the President's
stead.
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The President shall supervise the Show Officers (Vice Presidents), appointed by the Executive
Committee.
In addition to what is written in the bylaws, other duties include:
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Plan and execute all aspects of the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the largest
event of its kind, with more than 28,000 volunteers, 107 committees, 91 fulltime staff
members, more than 1,000 part time employees and attendance of 2.5 million people.
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Develop relationships with corporate sponsors, junior auction buyers and scholarship donors
that are critical to the Show’s success.
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Implement policies and programs to motivate the volunteer force and to coordinate their
efforts, as they are the single most important factor in continued growth and success.
•
Represent the Show in the media and with civic and governmental organizations.
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Understand and react to rapidly changing audience demographics and understand and react
to a continually morphing marketing and message delivery environment.
•
Lead the Show’s participation in Reliant Park building projects.
Witt/Kieffer 18 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO Qualities and Qualifications
The President and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will demonstrate tangible
evidence of leadership ability by:
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Being involved, having a vision, serving the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo stakeholders and
providing mentorship to his or her team
Effectively articulating and communicating the organization’s vision, mission and goals across a
broad spectrum of stakeholders
Exhibiting exceptional people skills, including treating all HLSR volunteers with respect
Living with a high degree of integrity both in and outside the workplace
Working with a high level of energy, serves as a positive example to staff and volunteers
Leading by example and be willing to get in the trenches with the staff to solve problems.
Having the ability to set realistic goals and do the job necessary to meet those goals
Exhibiting high emotional awareness and being self-effacing
Having the ability to work successfully at the Board Level and build long-term relationships
Having experience and understanding working in and/or with the entertainment industry
Exhibiting forward thinking and cutting edge understanding of ever changing industry trends,
including social media
The ideal candidate will also possess the following skills, experiences, and attributes:
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Tangible evidence of managing a successful and high-achieving organization
A team orientation as a leader, with a track record for team building, accessibility, and the
empowerment of staff
Excellent volunteer management skills and experience, including especially substantive experience
working with and for a private board
Strategic planning experience and demonstrated expertise in the execution of strategic and
operational plans
Experience as a builder of programs, as an innovator, and as a talented assessor and risk taker
A strong orientation toward an integrated program of external relations, particularly including
experience partnering with an active volunteer corps
An entrepreneurial approach characterized by creativity and a track record of innovation
A Bachelor’s degree, with a Master’s or other graduate degree preferred
Witt/Kieffer 19 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President & CEO Procedure for Candidacy
Recruitment will continue until the position is filled. Nominations, expressions of interest, and applications
(including cover letter and resume) should be submitted via email to:
[email protected]
For more information on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, please visit: www.RodeoHouston.com
Material that cannot be emailed may be sent to:
President and Chief Executive Officer
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
c/o Witt/Kieffer
Attn: Greg Santore and Jennifer Biehn
2015 Spring Road, Suite 510
Oak Brook, IL 60523
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is an equal opportunity employer.
The material presented in this position specification should be relied on for informational purposes only.
This material has been copied, compiled, or quoted in part from Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
documents and personal interviews and is believed to be reliable. While every effort has been made to
ensure the accuracy of this information, the original source documents and factual situations govern.
Witt/Kieffer is the preeminent executive search firm that identifies outstanding leadership solutions for
organizations committed to improving the quality of life. The firm’s values are infused with a passion for
excellence, personalized service and integrity.
Discover Thought Leadership at www.wittkieffer.com
Witt/Kieffer 20