Tuesday, March 7, 2023
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
House of Blues Houston
1204 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77002
Parking: Valet complimentary or garage parking available
Registration for this event is now closed.
ACG Member: $75
Non-member: $100
Registration for the Women’s Luncheon event is separate from the Texas ACG Capital Connection conference registration.
Sponsored by
Speaker
Gretchen Sheirr
President of Business Operations, Houston Rockets
Gretchen Sheirr was named President of Business Operations of the Houston Rockets in May of 2021 following her 20th season with the team. In addition to running the day-to-day business functions for the Rockets, she oversees the team’s home arena, Toyota Center, which is one of the premier live entertainment venues in the nation.
Sheirr began her stint with the Rockets as an account executive and worked her way up, holding titles including Vice President of Sales & Service, Chief Revenue Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. Early into her career, Sheirr spearheaded the implementation of a private-label ticketing venture, now known as AXS Ticketing, which garnered success for both the Rockets and Toyota Center. Her comprehensive understanding of ticketing strategy and ability to forecast industry opportunities along with a commitment to digital innovation and fostering strong relationships within the Houston business community have been vital to the organization’s success.
In her first year at the helm, Sheirr guided the organization through post-pandemic challenges as full capacity live events returned. Toyota Center hosted a record number of events during that time, including UFC 262 in February of 2022, which posted the highest grossing revenue in the history of the venue.
On the Rockets side in 2021-22, Sheirr introduced highly successful courtside loge boxes and ushered in a new jersey patch partnership with Credit Karma in addition to unveiling a new team-themed beer, ‘Clutch City Lager’, in collaboration with Houston-based Karbach Brewing Co. The Rockets and Toyota Center also launched partnerships with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s Sire Spirits, and fashion designer Kendra Scott. In June of 2022, the Rockets and longtime sponsor Memorial Hermann announced a collaborative rebranding of the health system’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine franchises using the Houston Rockets name.
Sheirr has also focused on bolstering the organization’s commitment to serving the Houston community through the team’s Clutch City Foundation by leveraging sponsorships and relationships into new projects and opportunities. In April of 2022, the Rockets hosted a unique charity experience called “Rockets Runway” to showcase the team’s new Boeing 767 plane and to raise funds and awareness for those in need. Under Sheirr’s leadership, the Rockets partnered with Memorial Hermann and the City of Houston to renovate community basketball courts and learning centers at Moody Park as part of the organization’s commitment to enhancing the lives of Houstonians through the game of basketball.
A native of Spring, Texas, Sheirr graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in marketing. She also was a four-year letter winner as a diver for LSU. In 2017, she was named one of Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40, which annually recognizes the top young professionals in sports business.
Sheirr is a founding board member of WISE Houston, serves on the March of Dimes Houston Board, and is a member of the Executive Women’s Partnership. She and her husband, Ken, have twins, Zachary and Jordan, and live in The Woodlands.
Speaker
Susan L. Bickley
Partner, Blank Rome
Susan L. Bickley has over 30 years of civil trial and appellate experience in employment litigation for private and public employers, litigation involving commercial and business disputes, trade secret litigation, and the defense of claims against professionals. She represents a diverse range of clients including publicly held corporations, smaller companies, and start-ups, as well as public entities and their officials.
In addition, Susan taught “Trial Advocacy” as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center from 2006 to 2010.
While in law school, she was a research editor for the Houston Law Review, and selected for membership in the Order of the Coif. At the University of Texas at Austin, she was selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa, and designated a College Scholar based on academic achievement.
In 2010 and 2011, Susan received the President’s Award from the Houston Bar Association. Active in the community, she is Chair of the Board of Directors of the Houston Bar Foundation and a member of the Board of Directors of the UH Law Foundation and the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science. She previously served on the State Bar Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct Committee and the State Bar Annual Meeting Committee.
Susan holds a number of leadership positions within Blank Rome. In addition to leading the labor & employment practice in Houston, she serves on Blank Rome’s Executive Committee, Chair Nominating Committee, Pro Bono Committee, Compensation Committee, Recruiting Committee, and Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and is a current Office Co-Chair for Blank Rome’s Houston Office. She previously served as a member of the firm’s Strategic Plan Committee and Strategic Plan Implementation Committee, the firm’s Nominating Committee, and is a past Chair of the Blank Rome Women’s Forum.