The Houston Grand Opera has announced that Allyn Risley will be the chairman of its board of directors beginning on August 1, 2020.

Risley is the Chairman of Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) North America. He has also been the vice president for BG Group Ltd and former general manager of LNG at ConocoPhillips. He was an HGO subscriber since the 2003-04 season and is a member of the Founders Council. He currently serves as the Development Committee Chair and is a member of the Studio Committee.

“HGO is near and dear to my heart, as well as Jill’s. The artistic output is beyond compare, and I am proud that we are especially committed to the development of new operatic talent. I thank Janet for her dedication and vision in helping to chart a course for the future of this great company and will be seeking her advice which I know she will freely give” Risley said in a press release. “HGO has a legacy of strong leadership from past board chairs and as we look ahead to a new decade of artistic and developmental milestones—I am looking forward to getting started.”

Risley will serve a two-year term, succeeding current Board Chair Janet Carrig. Carrig served a two-year term in which she led the company’s return back to Wortham Theater Center and also established HGO’s Working Culture Review Group.