WISE Houston PO Box 1111 Houston, TX 77251-1111 [email protected] WISEHou.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 CONTACT: Dena Propis, 713-259-8545 HOUSTON CHAPTER OF WISE LAUNCHED MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29 Launch event sponsored by the Harris County Houston Sports Authority HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Chapter of WISE, Women in Sports and Events, officially launched on Monday, February 29, as Houston became the 12th chapter of the national organization. The launch event, sponsored by the Harris County Houston Sports Authority, took place in the Diamond Club of Minute Maid Park. Nearly 100 new members joined WISE that night, with nearly 175 in attendance overall. The event featured a panel including Astros President of Business Operations Reid Ryan, Texans President Jamey Rootes, Dynamo President Chris Canetti, Rockets CEO Tad Brown and Houston Sports Authority CEO Janis Burke, emceed by KHOU Meteorologist Chita Johnson. Astros mascot Orbit, Texans mascot TORO, Rockets mascot Clutch, Dynamo mascot Diesel and H-E-B mascot H-E-Buddy were also in attendance.

Women can join WISE Houston by visiting www.wisehou.org.

(from left) HSA CEO Janis Burke, Rockets CEO Tad Brown, Dynamo President Chris Canetti, Texans President Jamey Rootes, Astros President of Business Operations Reid WISE board and panel members Ryan and KHOU Meteorlogist Chita Johnson

(from left) H-E-B mascot H-E-Buddy, Rockets mascot Clutch, HSA CEO Janis Burke, Texans mascot Toro, Texans mascot TORO and VP of Marketing and WISE members Kristen Auld and Adrienne Saxe Dynamo mascot Diesel and Astros mascot Orbit Community Development Jennifer Davenport

ABOUT WISE: WISE (Women in Sports and Events) is the leading voice and resource for professional women in the business of sports. The organization provides information about issues, challenges and opportunities impacting all stages of their careers—from entry level to senior management and those in transition. WISE Houston provides program- ming and valuable networking opportunities to help carry out WISE’s mission at a local level, and works with the WISE National Board to deliver initiatives such as the WISE Within Mentor Program.

Founding partners for the Houston Chapter of WISE include: