Editor's note: This article has been updated to include a quote from Friedman.
J. Kent Friedman will step down as chairman of the Harris County Houston Sports Authority Board after 22 years of service.
What happened
HCHSA officials confirmed with Community Impact that Friedman’s departure is voluntary; however, his term was not set to expire until August 2025.
In an Oct. 31 statement, Friedman said he has appreciated his time on the board, but is leaving HCHSA at a time of solid economic stability.
"It has been an honor serving as chairman," he said. "Being able to see the region transform into a destination for so many well-known events is something I'm very proud of. I was blessed to have served with outstanding board members and a dynamic and innovative CEO and I wish great continued success for the Sports Authority."
In case you missed it
Friedman's departure follows the recent discharge of former CEO Janis Burke.
Burke and Friedman worked together at the Sports Authority from 2006 until early October when the board unanimously voted to remove the former executive officer in a mutual agreement.
Friedman selected interim CEO Chris Canetti to temporarily fill the spot left by Burke until a permanent candidate is selected. Now, the vote for a new chairman falls to Harris County and Houston officials.
What are the options?
Harris County Commissioner Precinct 2 Adrian Garcia nominated Juan C. Garcia to serve as the new chair of the HCHSA Board of Directors.
Garcia is an attorney and an official with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He serves as a member of the Legal Advisory Committee, the Go Tejano Committee and the Executive Committee.
According to the Rodeo’s website, executive committee members ensure orderly operation and management of the Rodeo as a civic and educational event.
The discussion
Garcia’s appointment was narrowly passed by Harris County commissioners on Oct. 29, who voted 3-2 in favor of the leadership change with Judge Lina Hidalgo and Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis voting against.
“I'd just like to say that I personally think it sets a bad precedent when someone has served on the board and no one has delineated in public reasons why they shouldn't be there,” Ellis said. “When the politics change, it would discourage people from going on a board when we... put them in a position where we publicly chastise them, or [appear] to be publicly humiliating good people that serve on the board.”
Houston Mayor John Whitmire showed support of Garcia's nomination by requesting council approve the appointment during an Oct. 30 Houston City Council meeting. However, council member Abbie Kamin tagged the item, delaying the vote until next week.
Joaquin Martinez, council member for District I, said he is excited about the nomination.
"Juan has definitely been somebody in the community that has been working diligently, not just with the rodeo but he was also the president for the Mexican-American Bar Association [of Houston]," he said. "So I don't know what questions are needed, but hopefully we can get him to start working, as this is an important appointment... a great appointment."
Garcia was not present at the council meeting and did not respond to a request for comment.
Stay tuned
The request will return to Houston City Council for a vote during the next council session, Nov. 6. If approved, Garcia’s term will be effective immediately and expire Aug. 31, 2025.
