Richard Gruen - Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Rotarian Richard Gruen from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will update us on their 2025 plans and upcoming entertainers. 

Richard is an active community volunteer who moved to Houston in 1970 after receiving his master’s degree in education from the University of Iowa. His professional career included almost 50 years as a nonprofit program director and fundraising professional. In February 2018 he retired from Today’s Harbor for Children, formerly Boys & Girls Harbor, after working for 13 years as their Director of Development and Communications.

He is a Life Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and this marks his 26^th year as a volunteer on the Speakers Committee. In addition to speaking to business and civic groups about RODEOHOUSTON, he also spends time telling children and adults about the Rodeo as “FLAME” the Rodeo Clown. In 2002, 2022 and 2023 he received the Committee’s “Speaker of the Year” award. He has also been recognized as one of the Committee’s “Top Producers” six times and in 2012 he was named “Top Special Events Speaker”. After serving as a vice chairman for three years, this year he is the captain of the “Future Leaders” team where he serves as a mentor for new Speakers Committee members. In May 2024 he was appointed to the Board of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as an ex officio director.

Community involvement includes membership in the Rotary Club of Houston Heights and the Optimist Club of Downtown Houston. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Apollo Chamber Players, Rotary Club of Houston Heights Charitable Foundation, Faulk Foundation and Board of Trustees for Congregation Emanu El. He is also a captain for the Astros Foundation Volunteer Corps, and volunteers at other charitable organizations in the Greater Houston area. In his spare time, he enjoys bass fishing and visiting museums.