Cowley rides into sunset as rodeo gets new CEO
RodeoHouston has a new CEO. Chris Boleman, the organization’s chief mission officer, will replace longtime president and CEO Joel Cowley, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced Tuesday.
Cowley will be “pursuing an opportunity that has a direct impact on the agricultural industry,” he said, but will remain a lifelong supporter of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He has been with the organization for 15 years, including seven in his current leadership role. During that time, RodeoHouston set record attendance numbers and diversified its musical lineup.
But this year, eight days into the rodeo’s 20-day run, Mayor Sylvester Turner ordered organizers to shut it down due to concerns about coronavirus. A Montgomery County police officer who attended the barbecue cook-off tested positive for COVID-19, setting off a eries of Houston shutdowns.
Boleman has served as chief mission officer since August, and he recently took a lead role in the reorganization structure of RodeoHouston. He has also served as executive director of the Agricultural
Educational Competitions and Exhibits Division. Prior to joining RodeoHouston, Boleman was state leader for the Texas 4-H Organization and a professor at Texas A&M University, his alma mater. Boleman earned a Ph.D. in agricultural education from A&M.
In 2019, RodeoHouston had operating revenues of $160.8 million and offered almost $20 million in scholarships and grants.
Cowley’s last day as president and CEO is May 22. Boleman will assume the role of president and CEO on May 25 and will be leading a full-time staff of 130 and a volunteer force of more than 35,000. His wife serves as a volunteer.
“When hiring Chris three years ago, it was done with potential succession in mind,” Cowley said. “I can think of no one better to lead this great organization into the future.”
The 2021 RodeoHouston is scheduled for March 2-21.
When this year’s lineup was cut short, K-pop act NCT 127 was the last to take the stage, leaving a dozen shows canceled, including Lizzo, Marshmello and Luke Bryan.