FSM June 2014

PERSON OF THE YEAR • JUNE 2014 • VOL XIX, ISSUE 1 • $3.00
Promoting Community & Commerce since 1995

2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR

MAKING WAVES IN FRISCO | NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOMELESS SHELTER





FEATURE On the cover:
Craig Hall
32
Cover by:
2014 PERSON OF Chris Fritchie
THE YEAR

Congratulations, Craig Hall!

By Allison Harrell

51 D E PA R T M E N T S

15 BUSINESS

A Grand Slam Partnerhsip | By Maria Leahey

51 DINING

Fondue for Two | By Allie Spletter

63 EDUCATION

Paying It Forward | By Holly Harvey

73 PROFILE

A Heart of Gold | By Carolyn Cameron

63 Frisco STYLE Magazine proudly sponsors the Celina Balloon Festival, Christmas in the
Square, Clothe-A-Child, Frisco Arts, Frisco Community Parade, Frisco Family Services,
Frisco Freedom Fest, Gary Burns Fun Run, ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship,
2014 Mother & Daughter Tea and Style Show, Plano Balloon Festival, Silver Dollar At
The Ranch and is a member of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce.

4 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR



20 27 PERSON OF THE YEAR
JUNE 2014
COLUMNS
publisher
20 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHRIS JOHNSON

Paving the Way | By Carolyn Cameron editor
ANDREA HIKEL
25 BUSINESS REPORT
art director
27 MAKING A DIFFERENCE LEAH RATLIFF

No Room at the Inn | By Elsa K. Simcik staff photographer
CHRIS FRITCHIE
49 REFLECTIONS
manager, account services
The Bikini Blues | By Allison Harrell ANDREW JOHNSON

56 SMALL BITES manager, digital media
BEN JOHNSON
59 RECIPE
staff writers
67 STREETS OF FRISCO ALLISON HARRELL

68 COMMUNITY DEVOTIONAL CHRIS MARTIN

Legendary Strength | By Christine Ortega director of business development
GEORGE RODRIGUEZ
77 DID YOU KNOW
advertising sales
78 COMMUNITY CALENDAR LESA SWIMELAR

80 ONE DAY IN FRISCO | By Chris Fritchie AD SALES: 972.335.1306
[email protected]

Style Publishing Group,
P.O. Box 1676, Frisco, Texas 75034

Phone: 972.335.1181
Toll Free: 877.781.7067

Fax: 214.722.2313
[email protected]
www.friscostyle.com

No portion of this publication may be
reproduced without express written permission

of Style Publishing Group, LLC.
©2014 All rights reserved.

WANT TO KNOW MORE about this month’s topics? We’ll have additional
information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Carnival Cruise partnership, the
expansion of the Dallas North Tollway and more at friscostyle.com!

6 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

INSIGHTS BY MIKE SIMPSON THANK YOU for including the article, “For the
Greater Good,” written by Mike Simpson in the May
COLLIN AND DENTON are among the due to reorganization or a business be able to serve our fast 2014 edition of your magazine. While it is important It’s that time
fastest growing counties in the state, as shutdown, dad is without a job. After growing community.” Ms. to mention these nonprofits available to the residents of year again!
well as the nation. With growth comes months of searching, mom must also look Bursey says FFS cannot of Frisco, Mr. Simpson failed to point out one that
the need to provide services to families for a job. Soon, the family, who a year handle all families’ needs is making a huge impact on our homeless teens in Charge those batteries, backup that
who have come upon hard times due earlier may have donated food or clothing and she often refers families without the area, City House. Because of the increase in teen memory card and keep your camera
to economic conditions, loss of a job, to Frisco Family Services (FFS), is now insurance to NTX Cares, where they can homelessness, it was necessary for City House, the ready — we’re gearing up for the
critical health problems or other family reaching out to them for help. The family get treatment by a group of doctors only shelter for homeless, abused and neglected Frisco STYLE Magazine annual Cover
crises. Most conversations about these may start getting food from the FFS Food that volunteer their services and give children in this region, to expand into Frisco. The first Photo Contest. Distributed to 65,000
counties are centered around the Pantry and the parents may seek financial immunizations and treatment for illnesses home for young women will be available this summer, homes and businesses, one lucky
number of jobs being created, the fast assistance as the situation worsens to pay like ear aches, sore throat and other and the Frisco Youth Resource Center is now open participant will have their image
growing housing market and the fastest common sicknesses. She also knows that in the Le Peep shopping center at Stonebrook and published on the cover of our August
growing school districts in the country. For the while the parents are both searching for issue with honorable mention entries
The median incomes of $88,180 featured within the magazine. Visit
in Collin County and more Greater work or once both have jobs, there friscostyle.com today to enter!
than $75,000 in Denton Good must be a place the kids can
County are indicative go after school. In this case,
of very prosperous utility bills, make mortgage payments or she refers the family to
families. At the same provide for medicine or other essential the Boys & Girls Clubs of
time, there has been needs. This example is becoming all too Collin County (BGCCC).
a major increase common in our communities. “We refer the families
in homelessness, to the BGCCC knowing
families without “Last year we provided more than they have a safe place
insurance, $200,000 in emergency financial for the children to be
families assistance to our clients, distributed more after school from 3
needing the than 35,000 pounds of food each month p.m. to 8 p.m. or
support of and served more than 3,200 individuals,” whenever the
food banks stated Nicole Bursey, executive director parents can
and a major of FFS. “This is our twentieth year serving pick their child
increase in Frisco and the surrounding communities up. They can
children who and we have grown from where we started also attend the
are left home in a small garage to a Resale Store, Food BGCCC summer
alone because Pantry and administrative offices to program which
both parents are runs from 7 a.m. to
working to make ends 6 p.m., with the parents
meet. knowing the kids are in
good hands throughout
We are fortunate to the summer months.”
have numerous non- NTX Cares is another
profit organizations in example of non-profits
this area who provide working together. “Whether
support to families and it’s Frisco Family Services, the
children who are in need of
assistance. While many people may be Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County,
aware of what these organizations do Samaritan Inn or any of the non-profit
individually, most do not know how they working with families that have no
all work together to better serve the insurance, NTX Cares provides medical
community and build a better quality care for the in-between times,” says Erin
of life for families and individuals, which Mudie, executive director. “We fill the
in turn means better communities. gap for families who have had a parent
Awareness is the key to serving not only lose a job, lose their insurance and even
those families who need help, but it’s those who have recently been employed
important for people to understand what but must wait for their coverage to begin.”
these non-profits do and where to refer Their office is on McKinney St. near the
people when they need help. Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County Frisco
Branch. “Kids and families from the
For example, a family moves to Texas BGCCC are in all the time. We provide
because of the thriving job market. Dad adult and pediatric acute care, physicals,
is working and mom is taking care of the immunizations, well-woman care and
two kids who are happy at school and community health education programs.”
involved in activities. All of the sudden, Starting in 2005, NTX Cares was originally

MAY 2014 15FRISCOSTYLE.COM

Preston. Here, males and females between the age

of 13 to 22 can get help with housing, job searching and counseling. We are currently

accepting donations to purchase a home for the boys. Checks may be written to City

House-Frisco and donations may be made online at cityhouse.org (Please note Frisco

Expansion).

Ann and Del Harris

development co-chairs

City House-Frisco

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

DON’T MISS

From FSM Archive Visit the Simpson Plaza It’s no secret that
lawn, in front of City Hall,
for Frisco Square’s featured many of us have moved to Frisco over the last 10 plus years because it’s a great place to
summer event, MUSIC IN rear our children. Whether your children flourish in sports, the arts, academics or all three,
THE SQUARE. Bring friends and family, Frisco is arguably the best place in the entire country for facilitating an atmosphere condu-
grab a picnic, some blankets or chairs cive to developing the character traits we long to instill in our children — traits they will be
and enjoy listening to a unique line-up known by for the rest of their lives.
of talented musicians Friday evenings
this June, between 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. One of the main sources of support by way of example can be found in our city’s leaders:
elected city officials, city management, educators, church leaders and pastors, local non-
THE FRISCO HERITAGE profit management as well as area business owners. While all human and certainly capable
VILLAGE OPEN HOUSE will of mistakes, so many are authentic, smart, hard-working men and women who care about
take place on the third Sunday our community and go about their business in a manner we would be proud to use as an
of each month at 6455 Page St. The object lesson for our kids.
Frisco Heritage Center’s buildings
and structures will be open for public So, boiling it down, what ultimately would we like to be braided into the DNA of our
touring from 1-4 p.m. This is being children? Here are a few suggestions:
made possible with the generous
help of volunteers from the Heritage For me, honesty is paramount. To expect perfection out of our children or ourselves is
Association of Frisco. For more not reasonable. However, to be honest with ourselves and others in recognizing our flaws
information, visit friscomuseum.org/ and mistakes and working through them is a critical part of being a true leader.
visit.htm.
Confidence. I was fortunate to witness the recent presentations of students participat-
THE SEVENTH ANNUAL ing in the Frisco Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!). I greeted and engaged
KENNA CUP will take place in conversation with many of these young business-starters and each looked me in the
June 20-21 at Frisco Lakes eye and spoke with respect and confidence. What a difference this will make in their lives!
Golf Club. The proceeds
Compassion. When we understand that “it’s not all about us,” and balance all of our
raised from this event will be used resources to benefit others, we see opportunities we otherwise would not. Ultimately, we
to help cover medical expenses of begin to find meaning when we stop looking inside and begin looking outside.
Kenna’s Kids beneficiaries. For more
information, visit kennaskids.org Passion. Having coached for a number of years, few things are more frustrating than to
today! have athletes, gifted or not, suffer from indifference. It’s the people with passion and drive
— those who take responsibility and view accountability as an opportunity to “shine” —
COMING UP they will be the leaders.

IN JULY, WE’LL TAKE A LOOK at some Respect. While our world tells us differences are bad, I suggest we learn to distinguish,
of Frisco’s annual events that shouldn’t understand and celebrate these differences — not try to blur them into oblivion. Only with
be missed. In family, we’ll help make the respect for one another and our differences will we be able to reach our full potential.
your child’s next birthday a major
success. And, if you’re wondering if Perseverance. Those who have been around awhile know that nothing good happens
there’s any new information on the without some perseverance, and I include both patience and persistence. Determination
Cowboys’ move to Frisco, we’ve got often makes the difference between failure and success.
the scoop!
Recognizing these traits as foundational for our kids, but also for our growing, vibrant
community, we are pleased to recognize Mr. Craig Hall, visionary and developer of Hall
Office Park, as our 2014 Person of the Year.

The impact of Hall Office Park on Frisco cannot be overstated. We often say that Frisco
is a great place to live, work, play and grow, but there was a time when “the work” rested
largely on Mr. Hall’s visionary shoulders. Now with 15 completed buildings, there are cur-
rently 32 unique suites ranging in size from 1,028 to 12,114 contiguous square feet — critical
to the current and future business community in Frisco.

Having visited with Mr. Hall and heard him speak on several occasions, Mr. Hall is, if noth-
ing else, genuine. I was struck by this authenticity and his vulnerability and approachability.
He shares his ups and downs, and I was moved by his commitment to his vision, in spite of
opposition.

Thank you Mr. Hall, for perusing your vision and being a model leader in our community.
We are pleased to have you as our Person of the Year.

JUNE 2014 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. friscostyle.com 11







BUSINESS

xxx

A Grand Slam Partnership The Carnival Getaway Grill.

BY MARIA LEAHEY Provided by Frisco RoughRiders.

THE SMELL OF FUNNEL CAKES and pine Frisco RoughRiders, Carnival will bring its Scott Burchett, RoughRiders’ VP
tar. The buzz of the fans. Three balls, two signature brand of fun to the RoughRiders of promotions and communications,
strikes. The pitcher concentrates on the home games throughout the 2014 season. agreed. “This partnership makes a lot of
catcher’s signs. The batter twitches his sense for both Carnival Cruise Lines and
bat in readiness. Then, the tense seconds Home runs are worth the RoughRiders. We’re thrilled to work
before the ball’s release. Will it? Is it? Can celebrating, and when with them on unique promotions that give
it be a home run? Frisco RoughRiders play- back to the community and give our fans
ers hit home runs at a chance to win amazing vacations.”
Home runs are worth celebrating, and Dr Pepper Ballpark, fans will
when Frisco RoughRiders players hit experience more than just Carnival will help fans celebrate
home runs at Dr Pepper Ballpark, fans will the scoreboard change … RoughRiders home runs with its “Carnival
experience more than just the scoreboard Crush Innings.” During Carnival Crush
change — they’ll hear the iconic sound of “As Carnival Cruise Lines and the Innings, RoughRiders fans will be
the Carnival Cruise Line horn, fireworks RoughRiders are both about providing randomly selected to win a free Carnival
will launch from the outfield and a fun, memorable experience at a great Cruise for two if a RoughRiders player hits
celebratory graphics will illuminate the value, we felt the partnership was a great a home run during that inning.
LED signs around the ballpark. fit,” stated Jim Berra, chief marketing
officer for Carnival Cruise Lines. “This isn’t one of those wacky
Carnival Cruise Lines — Texas’ largest promotions with a .001 percent chance
cruise operator — recently announced a of winning; people are going to be
grand slam partnership with the Frisco cruising the Caribbean this summer
RoughRiders, the double-A affiliate thanks to Carnival Cruise Lines and
of the Texas Rangers. The three-year the RoughRiders,” stated Mr. Burchett.
partnership marks Carnival’s first-ever “We expect to award multiple cruises
relationship with a professional baseball to RoughRiders fans throughout the
franchise. As the official cruise line of the season.”

JUNE 2014 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. friscostyle.com 15

“Passing the Boot,” a nearly-100-year-old Texas League tradition. Provided by Frisco RoughRiders.

Fans can sign up for the Carnival Crush moments,” Mr. Burchett observed. grill features unlimited ballpark favorites
Inning promotion at the stadium or online “That’s our goal every time we open the like hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken
before the game at ridersbaseball.com. gates here at Dr Pepper Ballpark.” sandwiches, bratwursts, popcorn,
“Even before this promotion was live [on peanuts and Dr Pepper products. “Fans
June 6], fans were already asking when Eventually, when thinking of either a have overwhelmingly loved the upgrades
they could sign up,” reported Mr. cruise or a ball game, all thoughts turn
Burchett. “I mean, who doesn’t to the Carnival Getaway Grill,”
want to win a FREE cruise?” to the food. When it comes to food at observed Mr. Burchett. “The vibrant
a RoughRiders game, many have their colors and unique design elements
As Texas’ largest cruise operator, favorites — beer and nachos. Is there really set the mood for a great
Carnival has pioneered year-round anything else? Well, season-ticket-holding evening of RoughRiders baseball.”
cruising out of Galveston. The line fans can expand their tastes for one all-
currently operates two Galveston- inclusive price at The Carnival Getaway “The game-day atmosphere and
based ships, Carnival Magic and Grill. Also a part of the partnership, the the great family-friendly, fun vibe
Carnival Triumph, carrying more at RoughRiders games lines up
than 450,000 passengers annually perfectly with the kind of experience
— more than any other cruise we offer during a Carnival cruise
operator. vacation,” said Mr. Berra.

“We just love cruising and try to By pairing up with the
go once a year,” says North Texas RoughRiders, Carnival will also
resident Barbara Miller, who has celebrate the club’s home runs
gone on quite a few Carnival Cruises with by its participation in the nearly-
her husband, as well as with her family 100-year-old Texas League tradition
and groups of friends. “It’s an all-inclusive of “Passing the Boot.” As fans know,
vacation. Almost everything is free once when the RoughRiders hit a home run,
you board the ship.” cowboy boots are passed around
the stands to collect donations. A
“Carnival Cruise Lines’ entertainment portion goes to the player, a portion
is all about fun and creating memorable to his teammates and a portion to the

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JUNE 2014 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. friscostyle.com 17

18 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR

RoughRiders Foundation. Carnival will Home run! Provided
be donating to the fund at the end of the
year to help the RoughRiders Foundation by Frisco RoughRiders.
continue the mission of serving the youth
of Dallas/Ft. Worth. friscostyle.com 19

“Carnival will match the funds raised
through Passing the Boot, which we
expect will amount to several thousand
dollars at the end of the season,” noted
Mr. Berra.

“C arnival will match the

funds raised through

Passing the Boot, which

we expect will amount

to several thousand

dollars at the end of the

season …”

“The Passing the Boot promotion is
throughout the whole season, including
playoffs,” said Mr. Burchett. “We have
some great prospects this year, so we
have our fingers crossed for lots of long
balls!”

As part of its partnership with the
double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers,
Carnival will host Carnival Kid’s Day, a
long-time tradition for the RoughRiders.
Slated for June 8, Kids’ Day means youth
from underprivileged families within the
Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex will enjoy a
RoughRiders’ game against the Midland
Rockhounds, along with interaction with
players, photo opportunities, pre-game
autographs, food, beverages and some
special gifts from Carnival.

“We’re inviting those who might
not otherwise be able to attend a
RoughRiders game,” noted Mr. Burchett.
“Carnival Kid’s Day is all about giving
back to the youth of North Dallas and
Collin County.”

Relax, that is, until you hear the crack
of the bat and the sound of the ship
horn. For information on tickets to
see the RoughRiders in 2014, please
call 972.731.9200, e-mail info@riders
baseball.com or visit ridersbaseball.com.

Maria Leahey is a North Texas freelance
writer who believes she would enjoy the
view from a Carnival deck chair.

JUNE 2014 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Paving the Way

BY CAROLYN CAMERON

TRY UTTERING THE WORDS “Dallas area near Belt Line Road in Dallas County ers can arrive to their destinations more
North Tollway” and “rush hour traffic” in through Plano, continuing to State High- quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately, this
the same sentence to some Frisco resi- way 121 into Collin County. is the nature of these types of situations.
dents, and you’ll likely be rewarded with We have an average of more than 145,000
looks of frustration, stress and perhaps Michael Rey, NTTA’s media relations vehicles passing through our Parker Road
even fear. Without a doubt, as Frisco has manager, explains, “Certainly, the back- gantry each weekday, and we always say,
grown, so have traffic-related headaches, ups and current demands on the Dallas if you build it, they will come. Throughout
leaving many Frisco residents beyond North Tollway and the present George Dallas, specifically in Collin County, they
weary from the bumper-to-bumper grid- Bush Turnpike are telling, and through have, indeed.”
lock along this critical thoroughfare. Well, our design work, we are currently work-
get ready, people, things are about to ing to address them. Everything we do is In the late 1980s and into the early
change! Recently, the North Texas Tollway to increase the flow on the roadway, and 1990s, Frisco existed as an embryonic sub-
Authority (NTTA) announced a project whether it’s expanding lanes or eliminat- division with only a few thousand people,
to widen the Tollway from the Addison ing the tollbooths, our goal is to alleviate far removed from cosmopolitan Dallas. To-
current traffic conditions so our custom- day, it is burgeoning, bustling metropolis

20 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR

Relief is imminent with the addition of an
extra traffic lane in each direction from
Belt Line Road to Highway 121.

with a population of more than 139,000.
With this explosive growth, Frisco attract-
ed businesses and created jobs, creating
the need for more schools, more buildings
and, of course, more roads. Originally, in
January 2006, the NTTA began work in the
North Dallas area, extending the Tollway
while improving ramps and adding merg-
ing lanes. A 1.5-mile extension to Gaylord
Parkway through Plano and into Frisco
opened in April 2004, and the extension
of the Dallas North Tollway from Gaylord
Parkway north to U.S. 380 opened to traf-
fic in September 2007. In 2011, the NTTA

JUNE 2014 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. friscostyle.com 21

further extended the thor- ent routes, entering on Main Street and completed in 2016.
oughfare, opening the Dallas even taking Preston to Legacy and then “We believe widening
North Tollway/Sam Rayburn going to the Tollway here, but the roadway
Tollway interchange, fully was too backed up. After a month of this, I the Tollway from six lanes
joining the two major road- completely abandoned taking the Tollway to eight should also help
ways and providing motor- in the mornings, and now I just take Pres- relieve congestion on the
ists with free flowing access. ton. It may be a mental fixation of mine, roadway itself, especially
The Tollway is now one of but even with the lights, the flow of traffic during rush hour peri-
three major highways in the southbound is better. For me, it feels like I ods,” explains Mr. Rey.
city, and with only 59 per- have more options rather than sitting on a “The City of Plano has
cent of land developed, an ramp, stuck with no place to go.” contributed five million
extraordinary school system, dollars to the project,
outstanding leadership, a Relief is imminent for Frisco and Plano and once work begins, it
family atmosphere, multiple residents with the addition of an extra will be performed at off-
job opportunities and acco- traffic lane in each direction from Belt peak hours and overnight
lades galore, growth is only Line Road to Highway 121. Design work is to have minimal traffic
expected to continue. ongoing, but construction on the expan- impact. All construction
sion is set to begin in the first quarter of would be scheduled to
Mayor Maher Maso not- 2015. Modifications will occur on the exist- have minimal impact to
ed, “Frisco continues to be ing direct connectors of the Dallas North daily traffic.”
one of the fastest growing Tollway and the President George Bush
cities in the country. While interchange, as well as the north and Residents like Mr.
our neighbor to the south southbound ramps near the interchange, Entzminger are very
is closer to its build-out, the increasing capacity and improving the flow open to the improve-
city of Plano is a community of traffic. Projected to cost $150 million for ments. “I didn’t know
known for excellence and the interchange work and $100 million to this was planned, so I’m
is already home to several add a fourth lane, work is scheduled for very encouraged by it.
corporations. Expansion Even though the ramp on
of the Dallas North Tollway Highway 121 won’t yet be
northward helps both of our widened, I do see the po-
communities by providing tential, as I believe more
the infrastructure necessary traffic will be able to flow
to continue to attract major through. I’m very excited
employers, such as Toyota announcing its to see what it does for
move to Plano, not to mention drawing the roadway.”
more residents and visitors to our fair city.” Not only are residents of Frisco happy
with the plan, but so is its leadership. “Mo-
One of those residents is Tim Entzminger. bility and transportation have always been
Recently married to his wife, Pam, and hav- important components of the City of Fris-
ing relocated from Plano to Frisco because co’s Comprehensive Plan, and currently,
of the excellent schools and family-friendly we are in the process of reviewing it for the
community, the Entzmingers purchased next five, 10 and 20 years. We recognize
a home in a growing Frisco community a mobility is, more often than not, a priority
year ago. Working for a company located for businesses and corporations exploring
in Addison, Mr. Entzminger planned to a move to Frisco. As a result, we’ll continue
take the Tollway each day for his daily com- to work closely with NTTA to keep pace
mute, having used it previously. and meet our growth needs,” explains
Mayor Maso.
“When I lived in Plano, I took the Toll- Whenever the expansion is completed,
way daily. As long as I was on the road by you’ll be sure to find Mr. Entzminger back
6:45 a.m., it was an easy drive. Typically, at on the new roadway. “For me, the Tollway
this time, I missed most of the heavy traf- is my best option to travel both to and from
fic. After we moved to Frisco last July, I my home, and I couldn’t get anywhere in
tried taking the Tollway at the same time, half the time without it. I’ll definitely try it
but once I hit the Highway 121 to the Toll- out again, and I’m hopeful it will speed up
way interchange, I was inevitably sitting on my daily commute.”
the ramp somewhere between 10 and 15
minutes. As the time ticked by, I became Carolyn Cameron is a freelance
more and more frustrated and began wor- writer and a social media and
rying that I would be late for work,” Mr. marketing professional.
Entzminger explained. “I also tried differ-

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JUNE 2014 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. friscostyle.com 23

24 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR

BUSINESS REPORT

GRAND OPENING Protecting Your Family and Business
Celebrating its grand opening in May, MyClinic is a new family
practice center, open late and weekends. They are here to n Business Representation
serve the entire Collin County community with its medical
needs. Their doctors and providers are committed to delivering n Entity Formation
the very best medical care to their patients in a facility that
understands the fast-paced lifestyle of their customers. n Estate Planning
MyClinic is accepting new patients and walk-ins are welcome.
For more information, visit myclinicnow.com. n Asset Protection

SPRINGFREE TRAMPOLINE n Probate FREE
Springfree Trampoline, the makers of the world’s safest Consultation
trampoline, announced the opening of its newest Frisco n Will Contests
location in May. The new location will be Springfree’s third
store in the U.S. The store will be an interactive and educational n Lawsuits Involving
shopping experience with two trampoline models on the floor Trusts & Estates
for test jumping and large LED screens that share information
about the trampolines and each model’s benefits. Visit www.jhflegal.com
the Frisco store at 2995 Preston Rd., Suite 1535 or visit
springfreetrampoline.com. Frisco

BEST OF THE BEST Hall Office Park
Avid Golfer magazine named Stonebriar Country Club in “The 2591 Dallas Parkway, Suite 408
Best of the Private Clubs” list for 2014. The club was among Frisco, Texas 75034
several Dallas/Ft. Worth golf and country clubs in the ClubCorp
family to win the award. For 2014, the Club was also named a (972) 668-6810 Metro
“Best Value,” “Most Improved Club” and “The signature
ClubCorp facility in DFW.” For more information on Stonebriar (214) 705-2020
Country Club, please visit clubcorp.com/Clubs/Stonebriar-
Country-Club. Cynthia D. Hurley, J.D.

CENTER OF EXCELLENCE Resident Partner, Frisco
Forest Park Medical Center, a physician-owned hospital Board Certified - Estate Planning &
system, announced the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) Probate Law
has designated its Frisco campus as a Center of Excellence in Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Minimally Invasive Gynecology (COEMIG). COEMIG approval [email protected]
is granted to medical facilities committed to the advancement
of minimally invasive gynecology. For more information, visit Dallas Rockwall
forestparkmedical.com.
10000 N. Central Expressway 701 Justin Road
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fall 2014, will be named after James Reeder Newman, grandson 214.369.0361 972.772.2600
of one of the area’s first pioneer families. The namesake
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DOES YOUR BUSINESS have some exciting news to
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Principal Office: Dallas, Texas

25
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26 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Samaritan Inn Village. Provided by The Samaritan Inn.

IT WAS THE DEAD OF SUMMER with average of 50 people per week. When “I’ve had smart, observant people say

Dallas/Ft. Worth’s signature triple-digit we spoke with Ms. Sipiora, she shared to me, ‘homelessness is not a problem

heat. Lynne Sipiora, The Samaritan Inn’s ex- the numbers from that particular week. in Collin County.’ They’re wrong, way

ecutive director, was working at the home- “Because we didn’t have room, we had wrong,” said Ms. Sipiora. “I think people

less shelter in McKinney when a young to turn away nine families with nine adults have a stereotype of the guy under the

woman walked in with her toddler and and 24 children and 13 singles.” bridge [with the sign] ‘will work for food.’

newborn baby. Ms. Sipiora’s heart sank, as Open since 1984, The Samaritan Inn is a That’s not who we see. We see families.

she had to tell the woman there was not a United Way agency, but they receive most We’ve had nights here where every head

room available. All of household had

160 beds were full, No Room at the Inn a college degree.
just as they are ev- We’ve had people
ery day of the year. with six figure in-

Ms. Sipiora comes.” She added

watched the wom- BY ELSA K. SIMCIK that 15 percent of
an drive her car their population

across the street regularly comes

to a parking lot, roll down the windows and of their funding from individuals in the faith from Frisco.

nurse her baby. “It was clear she was going community. “It’s pretty amazing. It’s a $2 Unlike other homeless shelters that have

to be there all night,” Ms. Sipiora said. She million annual budget,” said Ms. Sipiora. rows of army cots set up in one room, the

thought, “We just can’t have that on our While they get some support from cor- inn has separate rooms with wings for men,

watch; we’ve got to do something.” porations, she says they also have women women and families. Single people sleep in

This encounter prompted the inn’s who faithfully send in $10 a month. “So bunk beds, four to a room. Families sleep

board of directors to decide to expand when people say it takes a village, it truly in the same type of rooms but each family

their facility. They began raising money to takes a village to keep this place going,” has their own private space. Community

build The Samaritan Inn Village, which will she said. baths and showers are at the end of each

hold 100 families and 200 singles, while About 70 percent of their population is hall but each room has its own half bath

the existing building can only hold about consistently families. This might come as with a toilet and sink.

40 families and 40 singles. a surprise to the county’s residents, espe- In The Samaritan Inn’s makeshift kitchen,

As Collin County’s only homeless cially if all they see are Texas-sized houses a small staff and several volunteers cook

shelter, The Samaritan Inn turns away an with swimming pools. 160 meals, three times a day. Kids have ac-

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The Samaritan Inn helps families gain dignity and independence, top; Lynne Sipiora, The wanted him to continue school in Collin
Samaritan Inn’s executive director, inset. Provided by The Samaritan Inn. County.

cess to a playroom with toys, books and an “As good as this place is, and I’m all Two days before school started, they got
outside playground. Residents’ pets can about it, most everyone wants to be in- a room. The older son graduated eleventh
even stay in the inn’s kennel. dependent,” said Ms. Sipiora. “We have in his class and received a full scholarship
strict rules. Dinner is at 6 p.m. You don’t to the University of Texas. “Amazing,” said
However, the services really set The get to choose what you’re going to have. Ms. Sipiora. “Now, maybe all that would
Samaritan Inn apart from your typical We have a curfew. You’re in bed by 9 p.m., have happened if they were living in their
“get off the streets for the night” home- lights out.” truck, but I don’t think so.”
less shelter. “We’re a different model.
We’re completely holistic,” explained Ms. For people with children, it’s a safe When the new facility is complete,
Sipiora. “The goal is to get you out of place to go when they’re out of options. hopefully people will not have to wait sev-
here and to get you to become a contrib- Rachel Pittman, the children’s caseworker en weeks for shelter. The village will sit on
uting member of the community again.” at The Samaritan 15 acres, just 30 yards south of the current
Inn, says when facility, and will be more like a campus with
When someone comes to the facil- families can’t get several separate buildings.
ity, they are assigned a caseworker. He or a room, they of-
she designs a program for the resident, ten opt to sleep in They plan to build the village in phases.
which includes mandatory classes like their cars. “People Phase one will include a pavilion with din-
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, are scared to take ing, classrooms and common areas as well
Alcoholics Anonymous or a GED prep their kids down to as a building for families. “The set-up will
course. [homeless shelters be kind of like an extended stay hotel.
in] Dallas, especial- They’ll have their own private bathroom, a
With these amenities, support and pro- ly if they’re from tiny sitting area and one or two bedrooms.
grams, why would anyone want to leave? the suburbs here. When the doors open, 100 families will im-
Well, some don’t. Ms. Sipiora told the sto- Our population mediately be taken in from off the street,”
ry of a woman who was practically coma- is primarily situa- said Ms. Sipiora.
tose when she arrived. After a year at The tional homeless so
Samaritan Inn (the average is six months), they’re not really Phase two will be buildings for singles.
she was fully employed, personable and chronically used to this kind of lifestyle.” “A building for men and a building for
engaging. Her caseworker told her she women,” said Ms. Sipiora. The last phase
had graduated but the woman didn’t want A man and his two teenage sons slept is an administrative office building for the
to leave. She cried and said, ‘But this is my in their truck for seven weeks while wait- staff. They also hope to have WIC, food
home.’ The staff helped her find her next ing for a vacancy at the inn. After losing his services and their thrift store on site.
place and she did move out. For those like job and being evicted from his apartment,
her who are reluctant to let go of their con- the dad continued to check back each day. While the entire project could easily
nections at the inn, an alumni group meets His son was starting his senior year and he take a decade, they’re eager to get going
on Tuesday nights. on phase one so they can help families.
They currently have $3 million of the $9

million the project
will take. The board
says they can break
ground once they
raise $5 million.

“I really want to
break ground this
year. People are
waiting. Every time
I think, ‘My gosh,
how are we going
to do that?’ I re-
member that wom-
an nursing her baby
in the car,” said Ms.
Sipiora. “They’re
not statistics. They’re not trends. They’re
people.”

Elsa K. Simcik is a writer and
fitness instructor who lives in
North Texas with her husband
and two young sons.

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FEATURE BY ALLISON HARRELL
32 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR

Craig Hall, age 2.

Provided by Craig Hall.

Craig Hall2014 Person of the Year

ON A BALMY SEPTEMBER afternoon in window frame to a herd of grazing cattle the public. Mirroring the growth of Hall
1997, a handful of people stood in the in a nearby pasture, it became more evi- Office Park, the surrounding community
lobby of 12595 Dallas Parkway. Though dent with each passing minute that no has navigated its own explosive growth
still several weeks from completion, the one was coming. during the last 16 years, becoming the
first floor of the newly-constructed build- fastest-growing city in the nation and
ing had been decorated for a party, with Sitting today in his office on the consistently rated one of the best places
the intention of presenting the vision for second floor of a nearby building on to live. As a visionary, an entrepreneur
a new kind of office park to the Dallas Gaylord Parkway, Mr. Hall chuckles as and a patron of the arts, Mr. Hall has had
real estate community. Platters of shrimp he thinks back to that day 16 years ago. an indelible impact on the economic and
cocktail and trays piled with fancy chees- “We had less than 10 people there, and I aesthetic development of Frisco. For this
es lined elegant buffet tables, mingling think four or five of them worked for me. reason, Frisco STYLE Magazine is pleased
delicious aromas with the smell of fresh We had a lot of leftover shrimp.” Today, to honor Craig Hall as our 2014 Person of
paint. The music of a jazz band wafted the view from Hall Office Park no longer the Year.
from the lobby through empty windows includes grazing cattle. Instead, Mr. Hall
not yet glassed in. Outside, the shiny is able to look out upon the fulfillment Born in Ann Arbor, Mich. on April 11,
newness of the office building stood in of his vision — an award-winning, 162- 1950 to Herb and Eleanor Hall, Craig Hall
sharp relief against its surroundings — acre suburban office development mas- says his childhood was notably absent
acres of bucolic Frisco farmland, stretch- ter planned to include more than three of any indication that a successful future
ing as far as the eye could see. This party million square feet in 17 office buildings laid ahead. Childhood epilepsy meant
was the public preview of the inaugural with supporting real estate and restau- frequent seizures and heavy doses of the
building of Hall Office Park, a state-of- rants. In addition to the 165 works of depressant phenobarbital. The younger
the-art commercial development con- international art positioned throughout of two brothers, Mr. Hall recalls, “My
ceived by entrepreneur Craig Hall. As the development, Hall Office Park is also childhood was fairly depressing and fairly
Mr. Hall stood in the lobby of his new home of the Texas Sculpture Garden, the negative, in that I was always the least
building and looked through a glassless largest private collection of contempo- successful at anything and everything.
rary art by talented Texas artists open to I don’t think we actually had a category

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34 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR

Young Craig Hall, above; Craig and
Kathryn Hall at Sacrashe Vineyard in St.
Helena, Calif., home to Hall Winery, right.

Provided by Craig Hall.

at school for ‘Least Likely to Succeed,’ me when we were very young doing art- Mr. Hall’s entrepreneurial spirit
but I would have won it hands-down work and appreciating art. I remember emerged early, with a flurry of business
if we had.” While he concedes most of she hated coloring books because you ventures starting at age 8. Paper routes
his memories of childhood are negative, weren’t supposed to color outside the and lawn-care businesses thrived, em-
Mr. Hall says he nevertheless felt an in- lines. She felt you should be more free- ploying his brother and his brother’s
ner drive to succeed. “There was some form — draw whatever shape you want friends. However, it was a serendipitous
inner flame that caused me to want to and don’t be forced into a predeter- brush with local politics during high
overcome those negative things. That’s mined shape. That was good advice that school that introduced Mr. Hall to the
part of the drive that helped me later in helped shape my life, and I definitely owe real estate market. “They had citywide
life have some of the achievements that I that to my mother.” While his father’s elections among the high school seniors
wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t been willing family had been well-to-do, their fortune to be mayor for a day in Ann Arbor, and I
to work for them.” was lost during the Second World War, decided to run. I had the advantage that
and after a wartime stint in the navy, Mr. my dad was in advertising, so he helped
As a child, his hometown helped shape Hall says his father enjoyed a solid career me make flyers. My girlfriend went to the
Mr. Hall’s values and work ethic. “I hear in middle management. “Neither of my Catholic school so she worked the vote
people talk about Midwestern values parents were entrepreneurs or particu- there, and I won.” During his brief ten-
and down-home Midwestern common larly business-minded people. I’m not ure as mayor for a day, Mr. Hall learned
sense, and I do know the people where I sure where I got that side of me at all.” about Ann Arbor’s student housing cri-
grew up were very decent, hardworking
and honorable. Ann Arbor is a university
town, and I guess I was probably shaped
a little by the liberal, academic perspec-
tive there. Not that it all took,” he added
with a chuckle. “I’m certainly not an aca-
demic. Some might call me a liberal, but
nobody would call me an academic.”

Mr. Hall’s father was a businessman
and his mother was an art teacher, and
it was her love for art that made a life-
long impression on her sensitive younger
son. “My mother started my brother and

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sis. “There were some legitimate prob- preneurship, Mr. Hall never envisioned tunity to meet his future wife. An ac-

lems. Landlords weren’t taking good a long career in business, planning in- complished attorney and co-founder

care of their properties and there were stead to pursue a “more noble” profes- of the North Texas Food Bank, Kathryn

maintenance issues, and people were sion, such as a social worker or a poet. Walt was running for mayor of Dallas

complaining about high rent,” recalled “When I started, I thought I would be in when she met Mr. Hall in 1991. “He and

Mr. Hall. The idealistic and entrepre- business for a year or two, then go into I were helping on Ann Richards’ cam-

neurial 18-year-old decided to take something respectable. It took me a paign for Governor,” she recalled, “and

his $4000 life savings and purchase a long time to feel comfortable in my own I remember going to Craig for help with

rooming house, with the goal of making skin and to say I am able to make a dif- my campaign.” Mr. Hall invited her to

money as a “good guy” landlord. In ret- ference by being a businessperson, and I lunch at an Indian restaurant, a move

rospect, said Mr. Hall, he was should be proud of that. Business can be that impressed his future wife. “Back in

naïve about the more phil- 1991, there weren’t a lot of exotic places

osophical underlying is- to eat in Dallas. I thought,

sues, wherein a small core ‘This is going to be an

of students in the tenant adventure.’ I have to say

union sought to challenge it’s been an adventure

the free market system. “I with Craig ever since.”

initially thought the stu- Mr. Hall calls their first

dents were right and the encounter love at first

landlords were wrong, but sight. “She’s an incred-

I later came to a different ible person, beautiful

view,” he said. The success inside and out. She’s

of his first real estate proj- very charismatic, com-

ect led to another, pull- pelling and very strong-

ing together $200 from willed. We really are very

15 different University of lucky.”

Michigan students to help However, the move to

make a second real estate Texas wasn’t a complete

purchase. It was a harbin- fairytale. Economic

ger of things to come as woes hit hard as the

limited partnerships would apartment business

eventually help Mr. Hall imploded in the U.S.

raise more than $1 billion “In the mid-1980s, [Hall

in equity between 1968 Financial was] very large

and 1986. in the apartment busi-

After high school, Mr. ness, and probably the

Hall would enroll in the worst place to be at the
Mr. Hall is the author of five books, the most recent being Timing the Real Estate time was Texas,” Mr. Hall
University of Michigan, but Market: The Secrets to Buying Low and Selling High. Provided by Craig Hall.
leave before graduation recalled. “There were

as his real estate ventures a lot more apartments

continued to gain momentum. Rooming and should be a good profession.” than needed, values were going down

houses became apartment complexes, As his business grew, Mr. Hall would and rents were going down.” When

and Mr. Hall began to diversify his busi- travel to Texas and become captivated congress passed the Tax Reform Act of

ness beyond real estate. A millionaire by by the state’s can-do spirit. He deter- 1986, it retroactively eliminated tax shel-

the time he was 21, Mr. Hall downplays mined to move his company’s head- ters, leaving investors ready to pull out

the luster of that achievement. “I was a quarters from Southfield, Mich. to Dallas of partnerships and clamoring for their

millionaire on paper only. I wouldn’t say in the early 1980s. “I came to Texas by money. “We had more than 10,000 in-

my early entrepreneurial life was a suc- good fortune, great luck and choice. vestors who were paying us money in

cess. I believe in my case, and I think Many people are lucky enough to be installments, and based on the retroac-

in most cases, entrepreneurship is all born in Texas and they don’t realize how tive congressional tax change, many of

about survival for many years until all of lucky they are. When I came to Texas, I them stopped paying us. It was enough

a sudden success happens. In hindsight, felt it was the most entrepreneurial place of them to hurt.” Donald Braun, Hall

things look successful, but in reality, I I had been, and the spirit in Texas is more Financial Group president, has worked

went through one problem after another positive than any place in the country. with Mr. Hall for more than 25 years and

and was anything but successful at the Those are good things you shouldn’t says sudden adversity revealed and re-

time. Hindsight is rose-colored glasses,” take for granted.” fined the character of his boss. “First and

says Mr. Hall. “I don’t look at it that way.” Chief among the good things Texas foremost, I saw someone fully prepared

Although he had a knack for entre- would hold for Mr. Hall was the oppor- to accept the reality of the situation at

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38 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR

The Hall family in Austria. Provided by Craig Hall.

all times. He never looked through rose- ing during the S&L crisis. “There were people who built housing developments
colored glasses, hoping maybe the situ- times I came close to losing my faith in or other things.” One parcel of land Mr.
ation would just get better by itself. He America and my faith in fairness, but I Hall chose not to sell was located on the
had a very real sense of the problem didn’t. You kind of lick your wounds and southern end of this far north berg, run-
and the need to deal with it head on. I get up the next day and start over. In ad- ning along a pothole-ridden dirt road
think that was particularly unusual be- dition, you have to be true to yourself, that has since morphed into the access
cause we had been very successful and
things turned very, very quickly. It wasn’t “T here were times I came close to losing my faith in America and
an easy, steady ride up followed by slow my faith in fairness, but I didn’t. You kind of lick your wounds
erosion. It was straight up and down. To and get up the next day and start over.”
be able to deal with that changing cir-
cumstance and not try to pretend it’s not consistent and straightforward. As long road for the Dallas North Tollway. At that
happening was admirable.” as you’re comfortable in your own skin time, there was talk the Tollway might
and do the right thing, you can’t worry one day reach Frisco, but nobody south
Reflecting on that difficult period about winning a popularity contest. of Highway 121 was paying much atten-
now, Mr. Hall said the life experience he That’s not the game.” tion — except Mr. Hall. “As time went on,
gained was hard-won. “We went through I really grew to like Frisco and thought
years of bleak difficulties. As part of a Bruised but not beaten by the S&L de- there were great people here. I believed
more complicated story, I ended up fil- bacle of the late 80s and early 90s, Mr. the Tollway was likely going to happen,
ing a personal bankruptcy because it Hall was back in the real estate game and thought it would be fun to really
was the only way to keep control of my by 1993, with a growing interest in a master plan a development that could
companies, based on a new law related little-known rural community to the far be sufficient in scale and size to have a
to the savings and loan crisis. It was the north of Dallas. “We invested in Frisco more pleasant environment for people
most depressing experience of my life. in the very late 1980s in a few different who spend a lot of their time in an office.
Talk about humbling and getting kicked land parcels, and sold most of them to
in the tail.” With his company’s heavy
involvement in real estate and banking
during that era, Mr. Hall said he became
a particularly easy target for scapegoat-

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The Hall family in Hawaii, complete with Mr. Hall’s children and grandchildren and Mrs. Hall’s sister and her husband.

The idea was to do something different I’ve never been like most people in osity seekers stayed away. “Besides us,
and create an enjoyable place to walk much of anything.” Mr. Braun says when it was just a couple brokers we strong-
around outside, and to see landscaped Dallas brokers learned of his employer’s armed into paying us a courtesy visit.
areas and parks through your window.” planned Frisco construction, responses When nobody showed up, it was star-
Planning for Hall Office Park began in the ranged from indifference to incredulity. tling, but at the end of the day, Craig had
early 90s, ground was broken in late 1997 “I remember going to real estate events a vision for Hall Office Park.”
and the first building at 12595 Dallas as the construction crane was going up
Parkway was completed in 1998—with- for us to build in ’97, and I would run into A big part of Mr. Hall’s vision included
out a single tenant signed. people on more than one occasion who the installation of public art. The Texas
Sculpture Garden is a four-acre tract of
Looking back on the public preview of that first building in land at the entrance to Hall Office Park,
September 1997, Mr. Hall admitted, “It was a little scary.” reserved as a special tribute to Texas art-
ists and their work. Designed with lakes,
Looking back on the public preview would say, ‘Can you believe I saw a crane water features, native landscaping and
of that first building in September 1997, in Frisco? I think somebody’s building of- walking trails, the outdoor portion of
Mr. Hall admitted, “It was a little scary. fice space up there! Who would be think- the Texas Sculpture Garden surrounds
Every building we’ve built here, we’ve ing about doing that?’ That was the reac- the lake just outside the 6801 Gaylord
built without pre-leasing tenants ahead tion in the real estate community.” The Parkway building, continuing into the
of time. Most developers like to have preview of their first building was such a building’s lobby. “I think in a sense I’m
the tenants first,” Mr. Hall smiled, “but non-event, says Mr. Braun, even the curi- lucky,” said Mr. Hall. “If we had outside
investors that had required us to justify
the art early on, that might have been
problematic. We didn’t do [the art] with
the idea that it was commercially a good
thing. We did it with the idea that it was
part of the overall package of creating

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an atmosphere and a place that people
would feel was different from other, ster-
ile work environments. It came from my
heart and my soul rather than a spread-
sheet. That said, I would tell anyone it
is financially the right thing to do in the
long run. It does help you have lower va-
cancy and maybe a slightly higher rent.
I have no doubt in my mind [the art] is
financially a good thing to do, even
though that wasn’t my motivation, per
se.” Almost four years to the day after his
first building preview in Frisco, the Texas
Sculpture Garden celebrated its grand
opening. During that time, the Tollway
had arrived, the population of Frisco had
doubled, Stonebriar Centre had come to
town and there was no hotter real estate
market in the state. With six buildings
now complete, Hall Office Park hosted
another party for the Sculpture Garden
ribbon cutting. This time, more than
1500 people showed up.

Mayor Maher Maso has known Mr. Hall
since 2000, when he was first elected to
the Frisco City Council, and said the art
at Hall Office Park symbolizes Mr. Hall’s
desire to give back to the community.
“He didn’t use every square foot of Hall
Office Park to make money, and he cer-
tainly could have done that. He chose
instead to do things to add beauty and
value to the city of Frisco. His develop-
ments are quality developments, and
he’s engaged in the community. He
doesn’t just come in and develop and
then leave.” As the community began
to experience rapid growth, Frisco city
leaders followed Mr. Hall’s lead with
public art. Known as ‘Percent for Art,’ an
ordinance was passed by the Frisco City
Council in 2002 calling for the develop-
ment of a public art master plan as well
as the use of a percentage of all capital
project funds to be used to commission
public art. Mayor Maso says the example
of Craig Hall was a key driver behind that
decision, giving city leaders a model to
follow.

Kathy Seei served as Frisco mayor dur-
ing the early years of Hall Office Park,
from 1996-2002. Looking back, she says
Craig Hall’s vision for Hall Office Park
was instrumental to Frisco’s success. “He
tells a story about his friends from Dallas
teasing him when he started to put Hall
Office Park in Frisco. They would kid him
and say they would come visit so they

42 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR

One of the pieces of art at the Texas Sculpture
Garden at Hall Office Park, top; Mr. Hall
with NFTE (National Foundation for
Teaching Entrepreneurship) winners, bottom.
Provided by Craig Hall.

could go to the top floor of his building that, you have other challenges and is- a tremendous amount of dedication and
and drive golf balls off it. He saw the po- sues, but there’s really good, solid lead- smart, hard work that’s gone into making
tential in Frisco before others did, and by ership and a great group of people here. this city great.”
putting in quality commercial develop- You look at the schools, and they’re just
ments, he led the way for others to fol- incredible. The interest in parks, all the Allison Harrell is a staff writer of Frisco
low. He was the type of investor in our things for children of all ages in Frisco — STYLE Magazine, mom of four and an as-
community who was about partnership, it’s a real tribute to many people. There’s piring blogger.
not to try to impose his will but wanting
to know what the community wanted and
to be responsive to what would help the
community.” Mr. Hall graciously allowed
the city to use the grounds of Hall Office
Park for its first Freedom Fest celebra-
tion in July 2002, one of many examples
of Mr. Hall’s dedication to partner with
the community.

“As mayor, I could always rely on him
for wisdom in understanding the busi-
ness community and what they wanted,”
said Mrs. Seei. “In many ways, you could
say working with Craig Hall allowed the
City of Frisco to cut our teeth on how
to work cooperatively with people who
would make their investments in the city.
Developing relationships and partner-
ships has been foundational to the suc-
cess of Frisco, and he was one of the
developers we learned how to do that
with. It wasn’t only that he had the cour-
age and foresight to do his development
in Frisco before anyone else, it was also
what we learned from him about creat-
ing public/private partnerships. Working
together we could all accomplish more
to fulfill the dream we all had for the city
of Frisco.”

As he has managed the growth of
Hall Office Park, Mr. Hall credits Frisco
city leaders for navigating the explosive
growth of the surrounding community.
“Over time, I think we’ve grown up as
Frisco has grown up. When we bought
this land, Frisco had maybe 6000 people,
and today we have more than 8000 peo-
ple in Hall Office Park alone. I remember
when the first building was done in Hall
Office Park, Frisco had 23,000 people
and there are more than 138,000 now.
This area is at the zenith of what’s hot in
terms of popularity and strength. With

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Audie Adkins Pete Hosp

Gary Carley Catherine Fowler

AUDIE ADKINS Woodrow Wilson High School in 1967 and ness in 2009. Mrs. Adkins has been a proud
Born in central Missouri, Audie Adkins attended Jacksonville University in Florida. member of the Frisco Rotary for 19 years
grew up on a farm, occasionally riding and She married and moved to Texas where and has volunteered with the Frisco Cham-
showing horses at the Missouri State Fair, her husband was a pilot in the Air Force ber of Commerce for many years, serving
until she was 12 years old. Living in Nor- in Big Springs, Texas during the Vietnam as an integral part in securing the cham-
man, Okla. for four years, during her mid- War. A few moves later, Mrs. Adkins and ber’s downtown location and getting the
dle school and early high school years, her her husband, Larry, settled in Frisco in beer and wine initiative passed in 2000.
family moved to Washington D.C. when 1995. She graduated from Dallas Baptist She now works for the Frisco Independent
she was 16. Mrs. Adkins graduated From University with a bachelor’s degree in Busi- School District as the community outreach

46 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR

liaison. She is a founding member of St. has been awarded the “Spirit of Frisco” cheer to Frisco for 37 years. The Hosps

Philip’s Episcopal Church, serves on the award by the Frisco Chamber of Com- have been honored with a Frisco Indepen-

Frisco Public Library Foundation board merce and serves on the Frisco Education dent School District elementary school

and is president and member of the North Foundation Board, where she helped raise being named in their honor. It will open in

Texas Cares board. She enjoys gardening, money for and award scholarships to grad- August 2014.

reading, traveling, spending time with her uating seniors; she is the only remaining

grandchildren and playing with her dogs member from the original board, serving BUDDY MINETT

14 years. Mrs. Fowler serves as the school Buddy Minett boasts 31 years of experi-

GARY CARLEY marm in the one-room school at Frisco ence in Frisco as a husband, father, com-

Gary Carley was born in Fort Worth and Heritage Village, where she presents pro- munity leader and a businessman, as well

grew up in Kingsville, Texas. He attended grams to third grade students from the as many years of experience as an elected

Rice University in official on both the Frisco City Council and

Houston on an the Frisco Independent School Board of

athletic scholar- Watch2014 People to Trustees. He is the father of five daugh-
ship, playing foot- ters — all graduates of Frisco High School
ball and basketball — and married to lifelong Frisco resident
his freshman year Joni McSpedden Minett. Mr. Minett is the
and football the owner of Specialty Land Services, a Right
next four years. Mr. of Way and easement acquisition firm. He

Carley moved to graduated from the University of Texas at

the Dallas area to Austin with a BBA in Management in 1980.

start his banking His community service includes Frisco City

career in the Carrollton/Farmers Branch 34 elementary schools in Frisco and sur- Council (1992-1998, 2002), Mayor Pro Tem

area. He attended the School of Banking rounding schools. She also conducts the (1997-1998) and Frisco ISD Board of Trust-

of the South at Louisiana State University monthly open house at the schoolhouse in ees (2003-2011, president 2005-2008). He

and served on 17 boards and commissions the Heritage Village and at special events also served on the City of Frisco Plan-

before his move to Frisco in 2006. Mr. Car- in this volunteer position. She served as ning and Zoning Commission (1998-2002,

ley is a member of the Frisco Rotary Club president of the Frisco Book Review Club chair 2000-2002). He was the Frisco Heri-

and is on the board of the Frisco Educa- for the past two years. She has presented tage Association president from 2010 to

tion Foundation, serving as treasurer. He programs to various organizations, includ- 2013. His honors include Frisco Chamber

is on the North Collin County Habitat for ing the Frisco Garden Club, Daughters of of Commerce Citizen of the Year (2006),

Humanity board, the Frisco Community the American Revolution (DAR), Frisco As- Frisco Chamber of Commerce – “Spirit of

Development Corporation board, serving sociation of School Personnel and more. Frisco” (2014), Inside Collin County Busi-

as president, and the Frisco Chamber of She is also active in the Frisco Association ness “21 Leaders for 21st Century” (2006)

Commerce board, where he is chair-elect of Retired School Personnel. Mrs. Fowler and a member, as president, receiving the

and was recently named Citizen of the Year has two sons and six delightful grandchil- Outstanding School Board in the State of

for 2013. He and his wife of 43 years, Wan- dren. Texas (2008).

da, have a son in Denton and a daughter

and three grandsons in Little Rock. PETE HOSP

Pete Hosp met his wife, Bar-

CATHERINE FOWLER bara Grace Bolin, on a blind

Born and raised in Port Neches, Texas, date at Wall’s Drug Store on

Catherine Fowler is a graduate of the Uni- Main Street, Frisco while he

versity of North Texas and taught English was stationed at Perrin Air

at Lake Highlands High School for four Force Base. They married

and a half years when it first opened. Mrs. in 1958. They are the par-

Fowler has taught an adult Sunday school ents of Amy and Doug. Mr.

class at First United Methodist Church for Hosp has served on Frisco

the past 32 years, and has also sung in the City Council and the Frisco

choir and chaired various committees — school board. He chaired

Council on Ministries, Worship, Education, both the Community Devel-

Women’s Retreat and Capital Campaigns. opment Corporation (CDC)

She has served as a librarian and as district and the Comprehensive

library coordinator for Frisco Independent Plan Advisory Committee

School District, where she worked for 22 (CPAC). Today, he is man-

years, serving on many committees. Mrs. ager of the Frisco Heritage

Fowler and her husband, Pat, are honored Center. Mr. Hosp has vol-

to have a school named after them —Pat unteered his time and his Buddy Minett
and Catherine Fowler Middle School. She special suit to bring holiday

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48 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR

REFLECTIONS

I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND there the store. A recent psychological study she lowered her voice, “you know they

are parts of the country where summer concluded that swimsuit shopping have cameras everywhere.” No, I didn’t

means soft green grass, warm days and makes women — wait for know that. As I processed this troubling

cool evening breezes. Texas is not one it — anxious new thought, I realized I wasn’t sure if I

of those parts of the country. As a native felt more indignation on my own behalf,

Texan, I understand summer means a lawn or on behalf of the store employee

full of charred Bermuda and punishing tasked with the thankless job of

triple-digit temperatures stretching for monitoring the security camera as

weeks on end. Summertime in Texas I tried on swimsuits.

means living in a perpetual state of As I pondered, my friend

sweat, despite three months of soaring mentioned her husband recently

electricity bills. Adding insult to went swimsuit shopping. “He went

financial injury, summer also means to Costco and grabbed a pair

swimsuit season. I suppose of swim trunks,” she said. “He

swimsuit season is welcome brought them home, put them

news for those among us on and did this in front of the

who aren’t particularly body mirror,” she said, putting

conscious, like swimsuit her hands on her hips

models, toddlers and men. and prancing back and

However, as I am none forth like Mick Jagger.

of those things, As she preened and

swimsuit season strutted, she paused

makes me want to punctuate her

to go back to performance by

bed and burrow gleefully jiggling

under the covers an imaginary beer

(not a realistic gut.

solution when Perhaps my

it’s 105 degrees friend’s husband

outside). Swimsuit is onto something.

season is generally a cause for the I can’t help but

kind of self-loathing that is soothed wonder if I’m

(and then further fueled) by baking taking the swimsuit

(and then eating) a double batch of shopping process a bit

cheesecake brownies. too seriously. After all,

I realize this confession exposes me another recent study showed

as a slightly less well- The Bikini Blues people could wear the
adjusted woman than I same clothing to work
would like to appear. As a several days in a row and
mother of four, I get it. I’ve nobody else would even

read the blog posts and BY ALLISON HARRELL notice. Bottom line, we’re

magazine articles gently all way more worried about

suggesting my stretch how we look than anyone

marks are actually cherished mementos and depressed. The study found that else is. Whether they’ve actually figured

of maternity. While I appreciate the for some women, even just imagining that out or they just don’t give a rip, men

sentiment behind this line of reasoning, trying on swimsuits causes a bad mood. seem to understand this reality much

I have to admit the extra 10 pounds I’m I think it’s telling that no such study was better than we women do. Therefore,

sporting this summer are more accurately performed for men. For women, buying this swimsuit season, I’m going to try to

a not-so-cherished memento of the a swimsuit requires a process of mental maintain my sense of humor about the

killer grilled cheese sandwich recipe I and emotional preparation on par with whole thing. Of course, I’m also going to

perfected last fall and enjoyed all winter climbing Everest. For men, it doesn’t avoid fluorescent lighting like the plague.

and spring. But I digress. What I’m getting require a second thought. In addition, it probably wouldn’t hurt to

at is this: I’m simply not ready to publicly In a recent conversation, a friend told knock off the grilled cheese sandwiches

stroll around in my underwear, which is me she had sworn off trying on swimsuits and cheesecake brownies, too.

basically what swimsuit season requires. in the store. “It’s just too depressing,” she

For many women, it’s not wearing a said. “Why would I want to stand under Allison Harrell is a staff writer of Frisco

swimsuit that causes distress so much those fluorescent lights in the dressing STYLE Magazine, mom of four and an

as it is the process of trying one on in room with my pasty white skin? And,” aspiring blogger.

JUNE 2014 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. friscostyle.com 49

50 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2014 • All rights reserved. 2014 PERSON OF THE YEAR