Leroy Shafer `67

Professional Summary

Mr. Leroy “Shafe” Shafer `67 (Agricultural Journalism), Chief Operating Officer retired, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, began his employment with the Show in 1973 as assistant manager for marketing and public relations and served in six different leadership positions before being named COO Emeritus after his retirement in 2014. Currently, Shafer is a fair, festival and entertainment industries consultant and holds leadership positions on civic boards, improvement districts and redevelopment authorities in the Houston area. He serves on task forces, advisory committees and advancement boards at Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M University Press. Shafe holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Journalism from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in Technical Journalism from Iowa State University. He served as a U.S. Army infantry officer and aviator, active and reserve, from 1967 to 1988. Following active duty, Shafer served as a U.S. Army Reserve Officer where he commanded the 345th Public Information Detachment in Pasadena, Texas; served as deputy information officer of the 75th Maneuver Area Command in Houston, Texas; and commanded the 75th MAC Aviation Detachment in Tomball, Texas.