After six years of leading Rodeo Austin forward, Rob Golding has announced he will retire as Chief Executive Officer effective September 1, 2022.
Golding joined Rodeo Austin in 2016 after nearly four decades of successful careers in banking, executive search, and commercial real estate. During his tenure at the non-profit, he executed innovative strategies to grow the presence and impact of Rodeo Austin in the community. His strong leadership guided the organization through two years of pandemic-related cancellations and to a record-setting return in 2022.
“My time at Rodeo Austin has provided me the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of tens of thousands of Texas families. Our mission – Growing the Next Generation of Texas Kids has been as rewarding as any professional challenge I have ever tackled. I am very proud of the achievements of our volunteers and staff, and I treasure the friendships I have made throughout these past six years at Rodeo Austin.”
A main initiative for Golding while at Rodeo Austin was to raise awareness of the need to redevelop the 50-year-old facilities at Travis County Exposition Center. This facility has served the Central Texas community and has been the home of Rodeo Austin since 1983. In the fall of 2019, Golding helped lead an effort to pass a county-wide ballot proposition that would appropriate funds toward the redevelopment of the Travis County Expo Center. The ballot proposition passed with nearly 70% voter support. The redevelopment efforts were delayed through the two years of the pandemic but are being re-energized following the record-setting return of Rodeo Austin in March 2022.
After Golding’s retirement, Glen Alan Phillips, who joined Rodeo Austin as Chief Operating Officer last August, will be appointed by the Rodeo Austin Executive Committee to Chief Executive Officer.
“Rob has made a positive impact on Rodeo Austin by bringing sound business practices that helped stabilize the organization and guide it through two years of the pandemic with no rodeo. Rob is retiring after a record-breaking year and knows the organization is positioned to continue to prosper,” said Phillips. “Rob will still be a part of Rodeo Austin through his focus on addressing the facility needs and redevelopment of the Travis County Expo Center. Planning for 2023 is underway and we are excited to continue the momentum of Rodeo Austin.”
