Soccer Tejas
HOUSTON – A new CEO has been approved for the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority.
The HCHSA Board of Directors approved Ryan Walsh as chief executive officer in a special called meeting on Friday, Nov. 15, inside the West Club at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas. The effective start date for Walsh will be Nov. 21.
Walsh will take over for Chris Canetti, who has served as interim CEO of the HCHSA since Monday, Oct. 14. Canetti will continue to serve as president of the FIFA World Cup 26 Houston Host Committee.
Janis Burke was the previous CEO of the HCHSA. After 18 years at the helm, Burke was let go on Friday, Oct. 11.
Who is the new HCHSA CEO Ryan Walsh?
Walsh is currently the CEO and Executive Director of the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation (Sports Corporation), a component of the county that the Commissioners Court created to manage, operate, maintain, and develop NRG Park. Walsh held the position since 2018.
Under Walsh’s leadership, the HCHSA will continue to collaborate with key stakeholders and the community to ensure Houston and Harris County continue offering state-of-the-art sports facilities and events that serve the public and contribute to the regional economy – including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What did new HCHSA CEO Ryan Walsh say?
Below is the full speech given by Walsh in front of the board of directors and the public in attendance:
The Harris County – Houston Sports Authority (@HCHSA) Board of Directors voted this morning to approve Ryan Walsh as the new chief executive officer of the organization.
— Deportes Nation (@deportesnation) November 15, 2024
"I really do think this moment represents a new era of partnership and shared purpose, and I'm committed to… pic.twitter.com/GDGYuG8g0j
“Mr. Chairman and Board members, thank you. Certainly. I’m deeply honored and grateful for the trust and confidence you’ve placed me as the next CEO of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority. I’d also like to express my sincere gratitude to Mayor Whitmire and the Commissioners Court for their steadfast support in this. Certainly do appreciate that.
Also want to take a moment to Mr. Chairman, to echo your comments, acknowledging Chris [Canetti] for his exceptional leadership during his tenure as Interim CEO, all the while managing a monumental task of preparing Houston to host the World Cup in 2026, and Happy Birthday Chris. Thank you very much for all that you’ve done, certainly.
Also, really want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Chairman Dixon, the Board of Directors of the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation, for their guidance and collaboration to this transition.
I really do think this moment represents a new era of partnership and shared purpose, and I’m committed to continuing that spirit and your support, Bishop and board, over the last eight years has been invaluable, and I pledge to leverage whatever resources are available to support not just the NRG Park, but all of our sports venues and all of our partners and all of our stakeholders.
As I step into this role, I’m eager to embrace whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead, and I’m committed to earning the trust that you have placed in me and demonstrating day in and day out that your confidence and trust is well founded. With that said, let’s get to work. Thank you all very much.”
