Janis Burke

In 2006, Janis Burke became the first woman appointed as chief executive officer of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority since its creation in 1997. The organization oversees $1.2 billion in bond debt service for Houston's professional sports stadiums. During Burke's tenure, Harris County-Houston Sports Authority has brought many high-profile sporting events to Houston, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, College Football Playoff games, NCAA Men's Final Four tournaments, U.S. Olympic Trials, AAU Junior Olympics, and various national and world championships. She has provided strong leadership to the organization and helped secure these major events for the city.

Under Burke's leadership, the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority has received constant national recognition. The organization has been selected several times as the best sports commission in the country. It has also been named "Best Employer in Sports" by Front Office Sports. Individually, Burke has been recognized by many organizations for her impactful community work. She has received distinctions from Conference USA and Rice University acknowledging her contributions as a woman leader in Houston's sports industry. Additionally, Burke has been named one of "Houston's 50 Most Influential Women" by Houston Woman Magazine, received the Sports Industry Impact Award from Sam Houston State University, and was identified as one of Houston's Most Admired CEOs by the Houston Business Journal. Burke has also served as Board Chair for Sports ETA, the leading sports tourism trade association in the United States.