May 14 Commencement keynote speaker Jamey Rootes serves as president of the Houston Texans football team and is responsible for all business functions of the club.

The Texans have been recognized as one of the most valuable professional sports franchises, both in the NFL and globally, as measured by a variety of business publications.

Under Rootes’ leadership, the Texans have earned many distinctions, including numerous “Crystal Awards” for marketing excellence. The Texans were also recognized with Sports Business Journal’s PRISM Award, which is given annually to the top major professional sports team based on business excellence criteria.

Rootes was selected twice by the Sports Business Journal as a member of its distinguished “Forty Under 40” list of leading sports executives.

Rootes maintains an active role in the community and serves on a number of boards, including the United Way, the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, and he is Chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership.

He also oversees the activities of the Houston Texans Foundation, which generates well over $1 million annually to benefit youth and families in the Houston area. Since its inception, the Texans have helped raise well over $20 million through annual fundraising events, disaster response programs, the United Way and partnerships with nonprofit organizations on game day.

A native of Stone Mountain, Ga., Rootes graduated Cum Laude from the Calhoun Honors College at Clemson University and was a member of the Tigers’ soccer team that captured two NCAA titles. He also served as Student Body President. While earning a master’s of business administration with honors at Indiana University, he served as an assistant soccer coach for the Hoosiers. Rootes lives in West University with his wife, Melissa, and their children, Chris and Caroline.