Rodeo board sees big change
17 members resign from Pasadena event in generational shift
More than one-fourth of the members of the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo’s executive board resigned during the group’s Christmas social earlier this month — a dramatic exit that highlights a significant generational divide within the organization.
Bill Bezdek, one of the 17 who stepped down on Dec. 11, said many senior members of the committee had been advocating a tighter budget in 2018, following a few rough financial years and Hurricane Harvey’s blow to their property. The older members advocated reducing the number of days events are held or not spending as much on entertainment by opting for lesser-known performers for the concerts.
The 35-year veteran of the group noted that the younger leadership wanted less restrictive spending that mirrored the rodeo’s more fruitful fundraising past.
“The old guard got the rodeo to a certain point,” said Bezdek, a past president who has been volunteering with PLSR since 1983. “We were young and had ideas and brought it up to where it was at. Now the young people are coming back in, and they’re wanting to do it their way, so we’re letting them do it their way. That’s when about 17 or 18 of us decided it’s time for us to leave and let them run it and do the best that they can. That’s what it boils down to.”
Most of those who stepped down were in their 50s or 60s, leaving a larger portion of the leadership in their 30s and 40s, he said. After the retirements, 10 seats were filled with wait-listed applications, bringing the board to its current 52 members.
Steve Valenti, who has volunteered with the rodeo since 1978 and served as president for almost three years, said Friday that most of the retirements came as a shock. Before the evening of the party, he was aware of only four who planned to step down.
“The old guard got the rodeo to a certain point . ... Now the young people are coming back in, and they’re wanting to do it their way, so we’re letting them do it their way.” Bill Bezdek, 35-year member
“They left and turned in their retirements and resignations,” Valenti said. “It was hard on me.”
Differences of opinion are nothing new among committee members, he added.
“It’s always about balancing sponsorship and expenses,” he said of the 12-day fall event that includes musical acts, a parade, a barbecue cook-off, a livestock auction and riding competitions. “How long of a rodeo? How big of stars? You go through that every year.”
But, he agreed that costcutting measures are a good idea.
“It has been a tough year,” he said. “We have to look at different options and cutting back is probably in the cards for the rodeo.”
‘Ready to launch’
Harvey flooded their administrative office with a foot of water, damaged the convention center and damaged the grounds where they house animals. In addition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program set up operations on the fairgrounds during the rodeo events Sept. 22 through Oct. 5.
Attendance was lower this year, in part because of the long lines created by those seeking assistance, which caused delays and confusion for rodeo-goers, organizers said.
In spite of the obstacles, Valenti said the youth animal auction raised over $400,000.
Tina Taylor, a director on the board for over 15 years, admits it may be harder to get as many sponsorships in 2018 as so many individuals and businesses are recovering from Harvey losses.
She’s trying to stay focused on the bright side of the abrupt departures.
“Their hard work can never be repaid, but we are truly excited. I see us ready to launch,” she said. “Some who may have felt like they didn’t have a voice — it can be intimidating to sit on a board with all these older people who have so much experience — now they’ll feel comfortable. They may have some ideas we haven’t thought of yet.”
The younger members still have years of experience working with the rodeo before they become directors, she added.
“No one on this board is new,” she said. “We’re professionals, we’re parents, we’re business owners— we’re not a bunch of kids who are going to make silly mistakes. Sometimes when you’ve hit your 80s and you’ve given much, sometimes you need to step down. Our board is still solid. Very solid.”
‘Heart is in the rodeo’
The Pasadena event started in 1949 as a way to bring residents together, offer opportunities to the community’s youth and to preserve an agricultural lifestyle.
Revenue goes to the Pasadena Rodeo Educational Sponsorship program, which provides scholarships for students from Pasadena, Deer Park, La Porte and Clear Creek school districts.
In 2016, they gave away $100,000 in scholarships, said Sherry Free, administrative manager with the rodeo office. In 2017, the number was down to $76,000.
The rodeo board did deal with controversy, however, in 2016 when then-business manager Angela Marie Hawthorne was charged with theft of almost $33,000. Hawthorne, the rodeo’s business manager for seven years, was accused of stealing money from January 2013 and January 2016 by creating fake payroll checks, according to Harris County Court documents.
In April 2017, she was granted deferred adjudication for the charge, according to other court filings.
Despite the sudden change of leadership, setbacks from Hurricane Harvey and the bruise from the alleged theft, those who remain on the board believe the rodeo will continue to help the community.
“It means a lot to us,” Bezdek said. “My heart is in the rodeo. It’s a good, positive thing for the city of Pasadena. The new kids on the block in their 30s and low 40s, they’re the ones making everything rock and roll now.”