In 2006, Janis Burke, CEO of the Sports Authority, became the third chief executive and the first woman to hold the position since the organization’s inception.  In addition to overseeing the $1.2 billion dollars of bond debt service for Houston’s professional sports stadiums, under her leadership, Houston has been awarded major sporting events, including World Cup, College Football Championships, NCAA Men’s Final Four, Olympic Trials, National and World Championships, AAU Junior Olympics, and various others. The Sports Authority was selected by its peers as one of the best in the country on several occasions. HCHSA was designated “Best Employer in Sports” by Front Office Sports Publication.

In addition, Burke has been recognized individually by numerous organizations for her impactful work done in the local community.  Amongst those, Conference USA and Rice University acknowledged her for outstanding contributions as a woman in the Houston sports industry. She was 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 by the Houston Business Journal as one of Houston’s Most Admired CEOs. Burke also served as Board Chair for the Sports Events & Tourism Association, the leading sports tourism trade association in the United States.