FSM June 2022

15 31

On the WRITE TRACK That’s ITALIAN

Frisco screenwriter is Why dining at Lombardi
behind some of the hottest Cucina Italiana is
shows on television a celebration

46 36 Ann Harris 54
2022 Person of the Year
People to WATCH A Summertime
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Recognizing those
who are dedicated to Meet the Frisco
improving our community Snow Cone Lady

JUNE 2022





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contents 06.2022

Promoting Community &
Commerce since 1995

9 From the Editor

12 Things To Do 4 6 People to Watch On The Cover

15 On the Write Track by Allie Spletter Ann Harris
2022 Person of the Year
by Lisa Dawson 52 Did You Know?
54 A Summertime Staple
20 Pure Gratitude
by Stephen Hunt
by Lisa Sciortino
60 One Day in Frisco
31 Dining - Cause for Celebration

by Lisa Sciortino

3 6 A nn Harris

2022 Person of the Year

by Lisa Sciortino

(Photo by Bri Morales)

George A. Purefoy, City Manager of
Frisco since 1987, is retiring this year.
Purefoy is widely recognized as the
architect of the Frisco we know today.
Read the full story beginning on page 20.

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publisher CHRIS JOHNSON P.O. Box 1676, Frisco, Texas 75034 No portion of this publication may be
general manager ANDREW JOHNSON Phone: 972.335.1181 reproduced without express written
managing editor LISA SCIORTINO Fax: 214.722.2313 permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC.
BRI MORALES Toll Free: 877.781.7067 ©2022 All rights reserved.
photographer TUCKER COFFEY
director digital media BEN JOHNSON [email protected]
BECKY JOHNSON www.friscostyle.com
digital media GEORGE RODRIGUEZ
office manager TIM COSTELLO FRISCO STYLE GIVES BACK
director of business development LINDSAY JOHNSON
advertising sales Frisco STYLE Magazine proudly sponsors Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin
manager of client services County, Frisco Arts, Melody of Hope, Frisco Family Services, Frisco Freedom
Fest, Gary Burns Fun Run, the Rotary Club of Frisco and is a member of the
Frisco Chamber of Commerce.

Get the scoop on everything happening at Frisco STYLE! Readers will
find a magazine library, recipes and extra article-related content on our
website. Stay updated by visiting friscostyle.com.

> AD SALES : 972.335.1306

[email protected]

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Frome thde itor Find Us Online!
Go to friscostyle.com to read exclusive
content only available online.
Follow Frisco STYLE Magazine on
our social media platforms.

D uring the three-plus decades that I’ve been a journalist, I’ve had
the distinct honor of interviewing thousands of individuals from
all walks of life – world-renowned entertainers, extraordinary
educators, headline-grabbing politicians and hard-working
small business owners among them. Rest assured that their stories of personal and
professional triumph, tragedy, courage and heroism have not been lost on me – nor (I
hope) the countless readers with whom they’ve been shared.

I’ll never forget the exciting afternoon I spent huddled in the nonprofit organizations and is an active participant in Frisco’s
luxurious booth of a darkened Las Vegas casino showroom, political scene. Please join us in honoring Ann as part of our
sitting elbow to elbow with ‘80s pop star-turned-actor Rick annual People issue.
Springfield, querying him about his career as a heartthrob.
Similarly, I’ll never forget the afternoon I spent seated at a Also this month, meet several Frisco residents and
modest kitchen table stifling tears as a single mother shared community leaders recognized as People to Watch, whose
her struggles following a horrific car crash that claimed her respective efforts are effectively keeping our city on a
daughter’s life and severely injured her other two children. successful course as it continues its march into the future.
We bid a heartfelt farewell to Frisco City Manager George
Recently, I found myself sitting at another kitchen table, Purefoy as he prepares to retire this month; and catch up with
this time interviewing Frisco resident Ann Harris, Frisco Mary Mathis Sanchez, best known as the Frisco Snow Cone
STYLE’s 2022 Person of the Year. This remarkable woman – a Lady, as she marks her 40th summer serving sweet, icy treats
dedicated wife, mother, former educator and coach – is most to customers of all ages.
deserving of this lifetime achievement award: For the past
decade, she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about Everyone has a story to tell. It is our tremendous privilege
and improve conditions for members of the local homeless to assist people in sharing their stories each month in the
population, as well as others. Also, she has dedicated pages of Frisco STYLE.
countless hours volunteering in support of numerous area

Managing Editor
[email protected]

Frisco STYLE Magazine @friscostylemag
JUNE 2022  9
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JUNE 2022  11

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JUNE CALENDAR

3 9-10

Music in the Square Winnie the Pooh

7-9 p.m. 5 and 7 p.m.
Simpson Plaza Black Box Theatre
6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco 8004 N. Dallas Parkway, Frisco
The free, family friendly summer concert series Elementary school students star in this production,
returns Friday evenings throughout the month with directed by a middle school student, that follows
performances by Mix Tape (June 3), Retrophonics the classic lovable bear and his friends during their
(June 10), Radio Edit (June 17) and Justin Mason adventures in the Hundred Acre Woods.
(June 24). visitfrisco.com
friscosquare.com

4 17

Craft Brew & Cue Music in the Chamber

4-9 p.m. 8 p.m.
Little Elm Park George A. Purefoy Municipal Center
701 W. Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco
The annual festival will feature more than 200 The Stockton Helbing Quartet, fronted by drummer/
types of craft beers, samples from local wineries, composer/arranger Stockton Helbing, performs
traditional and exotic-style barbecue as well as as part of the final installment of the music series
live-music performance and children’s activities. that is held in Frisco City Council Chambers. Ages
Tickets are required. 16 and older may attend; tickets are $10 for Frisco
littleelm.org residents.
friscotexas.gov

A Night of Improv Comedy 18

8 p.m. TexFest Dallas
Frisco Discovery Center
8004 Dallas Parkway Suite 200, Frisco 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
The Frisco Improv Players group stages the first of Little Elm Park
two shows this month (additional performance is 701 W. Eldorado Parkway, Little Elm
scheduled June 18). The family friendly festival will feature live-music
friscoimprovplayers.com performances, more than 100 artists and crafters,
frisbee dogs and cowboy demonstrations as well as
For additional a Texas Food Garden. Admission is free.
events or to add your event to texasfestdallas.com
our digital
calendar, scan here.

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July Events

1-12
Cinema Pop-Ups at The Star
9-11 p.m.
The Star, 9 Cowboys Way, Frisco
The pop-up, drive-in theater concept
will feature showing of films including
Edge of Tomorrow (July 1-2); Ready
Player One (July 3-5), 42 (July 8), Space
Jam (July 9), Harry Potter & The Sor-
cerer’s Stone (July 10), Shazam! (July
11), and Best in Show (July 12). Tickets
are $25 per car.
thestarinfrisco.com

First Responder Benefit Concert 3-4
Frisco Freedom Fest
7 p.m. Simpson Plaza
Comerica Center 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco
2601 Avenue of the Stars, Frisco This two-day, family friendly Inde-
Featuring performances by country music stars pendence Day celebration kicks off
Craig Morgan, Morgan Evans and Pam Tillis, the with a cornhole tournament, corny
concert will benefit several organizations that dog eating contest, Dachshund Dash
support first responders, military members and race and the Hotter 'n Firecrackers 5K
their families. This is a ticketed event. & Glow Run, followed by the Taste of
thinlineevents.com Frisco and Party in the Plaza events.
Festivities conclude with a Fireworks
Extravaganza.
friscofreedomfest.org

JUNE 2022  13

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On the

Write Track
by Lisa Dawson

E nvisioning the setting. Developing
characters. Eliciting emotions through
words. Collaborating with producers,
directors and actors. Writing and rewriting.
These are all aspects of a screenwriter’s job – plus
dozens more intangible tasks that go into creating the
television shows, limited series and films that capture
viewers’ hearts and entertain us.
There is much more to the process of creating a movie
or TV series than meets the eye. Screenwriters create a
visual blueprint for the story, develop storylines as well as
characters’ back stories, and provide detailed descriptions of
scene settings, direction and dialogue. Whether an original
piece or a story adapted for the screen, without a screenplay a
film or television project cannot be made.
It’s possible that no one in Frisco knows these processes
better than Emmy Award-nominated resident Kristin Tucker,
an established screenwriter who is considered a fresh, new
voice in Hollywood.
Her professional screenwriting resume is impressive. One of
Tucker’s first writing projects was for Disney’s hit series Dog
With A Blog. She also worked on the Showtime series Black
Monday and was accepted into NBC’s Writers on the Verge
program, which readies writers for staff writer positions on
television productions.

JUNE 2022  15

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Tucker was a writer for HBO’s groundbreaking, Emmy- gave me a sense of confidence in terms of not being afraid
nominated series A Black Lady Sketch Show, which was of stating an opinion or speaking up. The school also
the first sketch-comedy series written and directed by challenged me academically.”
and starring black women. She also recently wrote for
season two of the Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominated She recalls school trips to Europe where she visited
series The Flight Attendant on HBO Max. France, Switzerland and Italy with her classmates. There
were also trips to historic Williamsburg, Virginia, and
She has a new writing project in the works, a Netflix New Orleans as well as San Antonio. “Attending Hockaday
drama called Redd Zone. It is based on the true story of a helped me cultivate a work ethic I saw growing up in my
single California mother who helps her son and his high
school football teammates deal with the murder of their
friend Dominic Redd. The film is set to star Jada Pinkett
Smith and be directed by former NFL wide receiver-
turned-Academy Award winner Matthew Cherry.

A resident of Frisco since 2007, Tucker’s passion
for writing and telling stories is rooted in tradition.
During her childhood in Dallas, she was influenced
by her aunt, Dianne Tucker, who founded the Dallas
Drama Company. Dianne Tucker, who passed away
earlier this year, was a maven of drama, playwriting,
storytelling and acting within the area’s theater
community.

“Growing up in Dallas, screenwriting wasn’t
really a thing,” Kristen Tucker says. “My aunt
Dianne was a playwright and I spent time at her
company. She really was the first writer that
I knew and looked up to. I announced to her
drama company at a young age that I was going
to be a writer.”

Tucker says her aunt was a passionate
storyteller who dedicated her life to her nonprofit
community theater organization. “She wrote,
hired actors, raised funds for productions. …
She did it all.”

These days, Tucker’s work frequently
takes her to Los Angeles. However, she
says family is what keeps her tied her to
Frisco. Her mother moved here in 2007
and Tucker soon followed. “I moved
to Frisco before it really exploded
in population,” she says. “What I
love about it here is the access to
outdoor spaces. There are beautiful
walking trails and I really enjoy the quiet
beauty.” She especially enjoys exploring
new areas to go walking, which “helps give
me time to think and connect with nature.”

Her Dallas roots have had a big influence on her
career. Dr. Terry Flowers, principal of St. Philip’s School
and Community Center in South Dallas, encouraged her
to write. “To this day, he has a folder at his desk of things
I’d written as a child,” Tucker says. “That beginning
helped me hone my talent.”

Tucker graduated from The Hockaday School
where she had been actively involved in the theater
program. “I started Hockaday in fifth grade and it had
a huge impact on life. It was a crucial period of my
development,” she says. “Being in an all-girl space

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An alum of Georgetown JUNE 2022  17
University and the University
of Southern California,
Tucker earned a Master of
Arts degree in screenwriting
from the University of Texas
at Austin. She was among
seven comedy semi-finalists
at the Austin Film Festival,
and also won the sitcom
division for Scriptapalooza,
an internationally recognized
screenwriting competition.
One of her first writing
projects was for Disney’s hit
series Dog With A Blog.
She has since worked on
the Showtime series Black
Monday and was accepted
into NBC’s Writers on the
Verge program, which readies
writers for staff positions
on television productions.
Tucker was a writer for HBO’s
groundbreaking, Emmy-
nominated series A Black Lady
Sketch Show, the first sketch-
comedy series written and
directed by and starring Black
women. She also recently wrote
for season two of the Golden
Globe- and Emmy-nominated
series T he Flight Attendant on
HBO Max.

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own family. I am very focused and organized and I think a come to life.”
lot of my early education experiences shaped that for me,” Tucker recently sold a script pitch to Warner Brothers
she says.
and is looking forward to having more shows in develop-
Tucker, who was president of her senior class, delivered ment. She says there are also a few additional writing proj-
the commencement speech for Hockaday’s 2020 gradu- ects that she is wrapping up. “Now that things are opening
ation ceremony. She joined a list of impressive previous back up, I am looking forward to traveling again. I did get to
speakers who have included Gloria Steinem and Eleanor be in Los Angeles for the premiere of the second season of
Roosevelt. The Flight Attendant and it was a joy to see my co-workers.”

Tucker attended Georgetown University and the Univer- Aside from her supportive family’s roots in performing
sity of Southern California. She took a screenwriting class and having an education that inspired her to pursue her
at the latter. “I thought, ‘This is it. This is what I want to do,’” dreams, Tucker says that television has inspired much of
she recalls and went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in her screenwriting. “I’ve written more for television than
screenwriting from the University of Texas at Austin. Later, film,” she says. “The Office was the show that made me
she was among seven comedy semi-finalists at the Austin want to be a comedy writer.”
Film Festival, and also won the sitcom division for Scrip-
tapalooza, an internationally recognized screenwriting She enjoys watching reruns of such shows as The Golden
competition. Girls. “I actually watch it every night,” she says. “The writing
and jokes are great, and most of it still holds up today –
During the pandemic, opportunities to travel to Los though not all of it, of course.” Other favorite shows include
Angeles for production slowed down and Tucker says she Barry, Reservation Dogs, Atlanta and Hacks.
missed seeing her fellow writers and being on television
and movie sets. “I enjoy shows that can blend dramatic moments with
comedic elements ... those are my favorite,” Tucker says. “If
“The writers were set to be heavily involved in production something deeply entertaining also has something mean-
for A Black Lady Sketch Show and some of us were even ingful to say, that's gold to me.”
going to be in the show’s sketches,” she says. “I was excited
for that opportunity but obviously, due to the pandemic, it Lisa Dawson is a freelance writer and Frisco resident.
didn’t happen. Also, The Flight Attendant was in production
and I missed out of being on set and seeing that script

JUNE 2022  19

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Pure

20   FRISCOSTYLE.COM George A. Purefoy
Frisco City Manager

from 1987-2022

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Gratitude

by Lisa Sciortino

W hen George Purefoy became Frisco’s first city manager on Nov. 1, 1987, the city’s population
was around 5,000 people. Back then, the Plantation Resort subdivision was under
development and the proposed Frisco Jetport appeared poised for takeoff.

Fast forward more than 34 years to today when, after spending a decade growing faster

than any other large city in the nation, Frisco is now home to around 215,000 residents. Although the jetport failed

to materialize, other retail, residential, commercial developments and destinations ¬– including Stonebriar Centre,

The Star, Toyota Stadium and the forthcoming PGA Frisco – did develop and flourish (many as part of public-private

partnerships) under Purefoy’s watch, which is set to conclude this month with his retirement.

In celebration of a career that can only be described as remarkably successful, Frisco STYLE reached out to

more than a dozen past and present city officials and other community leaders and asked them to share their

thoughts on the impact Purefoy has had on the city – both personally and professionally – as well as the big shoes

he’s leaving behind for Frisco’s second city manager, Wes Pierson, to fill. (Editor’s note: Responses were edited for

length and clarity.)

JUNE 2022  21

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Mayor Jeff Cheney
Former Mayor Robert M. Warren

22   FRISCOSTYLE.COM Former Mayor Kathy Seei

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Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney future – than George. While most people see the projects
as the pillars of success, I have had the honor of seeing the
“Having served with George for nearly 15 years, it will not be details of the man who was the foundation of the success.
the same without him. He is someone I have looked up to and
certainly aspire to emulate his great qualities of integrity and While elected officials such as me were cutting the
leadership. … However, perhaps his greatest skill is the ability ribbons, George was standing behind a pillar somewhere not
to adapt and evolve as the city changed. This is why he has wanting to be visible, already having built the foundation.
successfully been able to lead Frisco for 35 years. He would never ask for nor want the recognition, although
it is well-deserved. He only cared about taking care of the
Frisco is a very different city than when he started. He’s taxpayer, protecting the families and treating his employees
known as quiet, and you will often find him in the back of the fairly.
room. Yet, when he spoke, everyone stopped and listened.
… George has a quick wit and was never afraid to trade wit My respect for George has only grown over the last 27
with his colleagues and council members – something we all years and I am proud to call him a friend, a mentor and a good
loved. He will be missed, but we know Frisco will continue to man! There is not enough room here to bring up the many
be successful in the future because of the strong foundation projects we have worked on together and the challenges we
he has built.” have faced over the years: Exide, Grand Park, sport facilities,
corporate relocations, Ebola scares, public safety and a long
Robert M. Warren list of other subjects.

Former Frisco Mayor (1989-1996) Throughout all the issues we faced in my tenure on city
“When the city of Frisco reached the population of 5,000, council and as mayor of Frisco, I am so thankful to have had
George by my side and, most of the time, leading the way."
making it eligible to have a city manager, we sent out search
parties and found George Purefoy at the city of Columbus, Nell Lange
Texas. We interviewed him and found him to be just what the
city needed. We hired him to be Frisco's first city manager, Former Frisco Assistant Nell Lange
and, in retrospect, I have no doubt that was the best move
Frisco has ever made. City Manager

George is one of the most honest, most caring and finest, “I worked for several
men I have ever known – and in my 101 years, I have known a
lot. He knows how to solve problems that confront the city city managers during
and manages to do it in the least-obtrusive way. … Without
George Purefoy, Frisco would not be the city it is today.” my career and George

certainly stands out as

the most visionary. It

took us a short while

to develop our working

Kathy Seei relationship, but I can

Former Frisco Mayor (1996-2002) remember him telling
“As Frisco’s first city manager, George successfully helped
me to always say what I
the city move from a small agricultural community into one of
the fastest-growing cities in the United States. He managed thought, not just what
the growth with excellence while keeping the tax rates from
becoming problematic for the property owners. As the com- I thought he wanted
munity grew, he hired competent managers to join his team.
As a tough negotiator, he was able to work with City Council to hear. He always
to bring quality growth.
… His legacy in Frisco is made time to listen to
well-documented and I
wish he and his family concerns and was such a caring individual. I feel blessed to
the best in his retirement
years.” have worked for him for 20 years.”

Maher Maso Former Mayor Maher Maso Ron Patterson Ron Patterson

Former Frisco Mayor Frisco Deputy City
(2008-2017) Manager

“`Behind the scenes’ “I remember early in our
– that phrase best time working together,
describes the George George told me we really
Purefoy I know. No person only need one rule when it
has had a larger impact comes to how we should
on Frisco – past, present manage: `Do the right
and, I’m confident, in the thing.’ That has been
a clear and consistent
message from George
the entire time I have
known him. And he does
not just say the words,
but he actually lives it and

JUNE 2022  23

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manages by that rule.
George … has taught me so much about city management but also about being a good husband, a

good father and about being a good person. He has been my boss, my mentor and my friend all this
time. While he will hold your feet to the fire on getting the job done each day, he will never throw you
under the bus. He is quick to push you to the front for the credit when things go well and just as quick
to take the heat when things do not. I cannot thank him enough for all he has done for our city, our staff
and for me.”

Mack Borchardt Mack Borchardt

Special Assistant to the Frisco City Manager
“While I can take no credit for hiring what I believe to be the best city manager serving

anywhere for the last 34-plus years, I was given some insight into what city council saw
in Mr. Purefoy.

Prior to his arrival, they told me they believed him to be honest, humble, smart and a
hard worker who was well liked and respected by everyone they met in Columbus, Texas,
where he was city manager. Additionally, several of them told me how impressed they
were upon learning he took virtually every Friday afternoon off to spend time with his
young daughter, Christal, who he adored. His devotion to (wife) Debra and Christal, and
his commitment to his faith, may have been the most impressive things about George
Purefoy in the eyes of those elected officials.

Real and visible growth began in Frisco soon after George’s arrival. I have always
known George to make the decision he believed would best serve our citizens and he
has always been supportive of Frisco’s staff. There is no doubt Frisco, my family and I
have been truly blessed by George, Debra and Christal choosing to move from Columbus
to Frisco.”

Henry Hill

Frisco Deputy City Manager
“Reflecting on working for George over the years, I often thought

of this passage in Psalms 127: `Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.’ George, in his roles as both the
builder and the watchman, always sought God’s purpose and
blessing in what was to be accomplished. That, to me, has been
the foundation of his success and his lasting legacy in Frisco.”

Henry Hill John Lettelleir

John Lettelleir

Frisco Director of Development Services
"George’s influence has been instrumental to making Frisco what it is today. … George’s

leadership attracted development that reduced the tax burden on residents. … George
is humble and has routinely deflected accolades to others. City managers come and go
in so many cities, but Frisco has been the beneficiary of George’s steadfast leadership
and compelling vision of the future.”

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JUNE 2022  25

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Tammy Meinershagen Shelley Holley Dr. Mike Waldrip

Richard Abernathy Ms. Meinershagen. You may be surprised to know this, but I
actually have always wanted to see an opera house built in
Frisco City Attorney (not pictured) Frisco.’ … George’s impact has shaped the Frisco I know and
“Luckily for Frisco, George (among his many talents) was love. It will be an honor to continue his incredible legacy.”

and is a master at seizing opportunity, expanding it, bringing Shelley Holley
together public and private partnerships to focus and support
the plan, and then executing and building it – all the while Frisco Library Director
giving credit to others. How often do you see a city manager “While under his watch, Frisco has grown into one of the
do that? About as often as you see another Frisco. George and
Debra, I love you and wish you all my best.” finest cities in America. There is no other way to say it:
George Purefoy was the right man, at the right time and
Tammy Meinershagen Frisco was the right place. We live in a thriving community in
large measure because of George Purefoy’s vision, integrity,
Frisco City Council Place 2 courage and leadership.”
“I’ll never forget my first meeting with George Purefoy in
Dr. Mike Waldrip
2014. I had been appointed to the Citizen Bond Committee
to help determine the projects for the remaining 40 percent Frisco ISD Superintendent
of Frisco, and I wanted to hear his perspective. As I walked "The City of Frisco is what it is today in large part because
in, George met me with a calm, gentle smile and said, `Hello

The goundbreaking of the George A. Purefoy Municipal Center, better known as Frisco City Hall. (Provided by the Heritage Association of Frisco)

JUNE 2022  27

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28   FRISCOSTYLE.COM

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of George Purefoy. His wisdom, his intelligence and his vision have been Dr. Rick Reedy
instrumental in making this city one of the best places in the country to Dan Hunt
live, work and play. The city and its citizens, present and future, owe a
tremendous debt of gratitude to George. Geneva M. Polster
JUNE 2022  29
I was in a meeting once with George and … he was asked his opinion
about an issue. Without saying a word, he simply gave an emphatic thumbs
down. Nothing more was discussed, no clarifying questions were asked
– we simply moved on to the next thing. That's the respect everyone has
for George and his leadership. A man of few or no words, but tremendous
influence."

Dr. Rick Reedy

Former Frisco ISD Superintendent
“There can be little doubt that he has been the chief architect in the

transformation of the City of Frisco from a small rural community into a
major suburban city.

The evidence of his vision and accompanying action is visible all around
us. What may not be as well known is the indispensable role he has played
in the evolution of Frisco’s school district. His belief in partnerships
(his mantra was, `If it’s good for the school district, it’s good for the city’)
led him to insist that the school system be included in the many public-
private partner collaborations that have produced additional revenue and
resources and thereby more opportunity for schoolchildren than could
otherwise have been possible. George and Debra Purefoy Elementary
is so named to honor the long-term commitment of the Purefoys to the
betterment of the school system.

The Purefoys are practitioners in the art of the great virtues – of
humility, of kindness, of generosity and, most importantly, of faith.”

Dan Hunt

Developer and FC Dallas President
“Frisco wouldn’t be the thriving city it is today without the pioneering

vision of George Purefoy. He has spearheaded so much business,
commerce and sports development into the city. My father, Lamar, worked
with him to bring FC Dallas to Frisco and I’m proud to have continued that
relationship.

This entire community has benefitted from George’s leadership
and commitment to making Frisco one of America’s most innovative
communities.”

Geneva M. Polster

Frisco Family Services Board Member
“I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Purefoy

on a daily basis for 10 ½ years. I was an administrative assistant in the City
Manager’s office and witnessed the outstanding character of this man.
Running the day-to-day operations of a city is no easy feat and doing so
in one of the fastest-growing cities in America takes many traits that Mr.
Purefoy exemplifies. I have watched him interact with grace and humility
toward everyone he comes in contact with.

Mr. Purefoy is kind, thoughtful and decisive with his intentions, which
is a true benefit to our city. His ability to lead and work with many mayors,
council members and staff is seen in all that is Frisco. He is a man of faith
who with his wife and daughter took a chance in Frisco 35 years ago and for
that, I am grateful. … His impact on Frisco is immeasurable and his legacy
will forever be written in the history book of Frisco.”

Lisa Sciortino is managing editor of Frisco STYLE Magazine.

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Cause for celebration

Lombardi Cucina Italiana

makes a weeknight meal seem special

I ’ve never subscribed to the notion that enjoying by Lisa Sciortino
a delicious meal at a “fancy” restaurant must be
strictly reserved for special-occasion celebra- to treat ourselves to a couple of drinks, some excellent
tions. food and a decadent dessert. This place, which opened its
Don’t get me wrong: birthdays, anniversaries, gradu- doors earlier this year, did not disappoint.
ations, proposals – these and plenty of other milestone
With a reservation secured, we were warmly welcomed
events are worthy of a proper fete by the host and someone I later deduced was likely the
in the form of a luxuri- manager after spotting him visit the tables of other diners
ous meal. However, I throughout the evening. We were shown to a two-top
argue that the close table – adorned with a crisp white tablecloth, a bottle of
of a particularly the house olive oil, drinking glasses and a small stone-
taxing Tuesday, for filled vase that held a short artificial olive branch – on the
example, can be far side of the dining room adjacent to a beautiful black
as good a reason baby grand piano that provides the entertainment on other
as any to splurge nights.
(with your wallet,
waistline – or Adam, our friendly server who we got to know better
both) on a deli- through brief conversations throughout our meal, ap-
cious dinner at a proached and asked whether we preferred still or sparkling
beautifully appoint- water (we opted for the former). He returned with a chilled
ed eatery. carafe and, while pouring its contents, encouraged us to
That was the case on take our time as we looked over the wine and specialty
cocktail menu. It didn’t take long to make our selections:
a recent weeknight when I went with the Spritz All Arancia Rossa, featuring Titos
a friend and I visited Handmade Vodka, Aperol, blood orange ice and prosecco,
Lombardi Cuci- and my friend ordered a glass of moscato.
na Italiana
at The Star Another member of the wait staff appeared and asked
in Frisco. whether we would like some house-made bread, which
We’d both arrived in a small wooden box. Two thick slices of grilled
had quite sourdough and a pair of olive-and-tomato focaccia muf-
stressful a fins were accompanied by small cups of a
day, re- chunky eggplant-and-pepper tapenade
spec- and a truffle ricotta spread. The
tively, chewy, grilled bread was a proper
and sturdy vessel for the hearty tape-
decided nade. Although the focaccia was
perfectly capable of standing on its
own, I could not resist schmearing it
with the creamy cheese.

JUNE 2022  31

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Adam returned for the presentation of our bever- dishes: Bucatini Cacio E Pepe for me; Fettucine Al Limone
ages. Inside my glass (on the rim of which balanced for my friend.
a large orange slice) was a golf ball-sized cube of frozen
blood orange juice. Over that he poured from a short carafe A brief break in the action provided an opportunity to
a similarly hued, citrusy liquid that was sweet, bubbly and take in views of the open, airy dining room that exudes
oh-so refreshing. Meanwhile, my friend declared her wine understated elegance.
to be the best moscato she’s ever had.
Dinner menus were delivered and, as we pondered our A sizeable bar with ample seating is a focal point of the
potential selections, Adam thoughtfully cautioned us to space that is awash in cream-colored hues and brass
avoid filling up on the delicious bread (more on that later). accents. Tall wine racks are visible through massive glass
A bowl of the Lobster Bisque to start was an easy choice walls, and a long refrigerated case displays a variety of
for my friend. I briefly considered the Caesar salad – that is, whole fish and overflowing bowls of shellfish on ice. It
until I spotted the Buffalo Mozzarella and Pomodoro salad, backs up to an open kitchen area where flames occasional-
which is one of my all-time favorites. I tend to order this ly leap from a grill toward shiny copper pots that adorn both
whenever I encounter it on a menu because, despite its sides of the wall above. A half-dozen stunning chandeliers
simple ingredients (tomatoes, cheese, basil and olive oil), it hang above a bank of plush-looking, oversized circular
can be a tricky one to get right. booths that are separated by a row of faux olive trees. The
The soup and salad were served within minutes of plac- room’s upscale feel is brilliantly juxtaposed by the casual
ing our order. The bisque, which boasted sizeable chunks uniforms of the wait staff members who wear tweed-look
of lobster meat swimming in a light chive-speckled broth, vests and bowties with dark denim jeans.
was perfection. The same could be said about my salad,
which starred fresh wedges of colorful heirloom tomatoes Our respective pastas were served in wide-rimmed white
topped with basil shreds, coarsely cracked black pepper bowls. Adam, who provided top-notch service throughout
and uber-fresh mozzarella that was delightfully chewy on our meal, proceeded to dice the pair of sizeable prawns
the outside and creamy on the inside. Lombardi’s version that rested atop the Fettucine Al Limone, then stirred
of this classic is solid. together the flat noodles, meat, Meyer lemon cream sauce
It became clear that we should have heeded Adam’s and a generous dollop of black caviar that topped the dish
warning about gorging on the bread, as we were both to ensure that my friend enjoyed all of its flavors with each
feeling a bit full at this point. We nixed our plan to share bite. Meanwhile, the Bucatini Cacio E Pepe turned out to
the herb-marinated Wood Grilled Spanish Octopus and be a bit of a surprise as the noodles – heavily sprinkled
moved straight to the main course, ordering a pair of pasta with coarsely ground toasted peppercorns – were served
in a thick Romano cheese fondue sauce so that it closely
resembled an upscale version of traditional macaroni and
cheese.

32   FRISCOSTYLE.COM Lobster Bisque

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JUNE 2022  33

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Spritz All Arancia Rossa After only a few forkfuls of pasta,
we concluded that we were entirely
too stuffed to finish our entrees. This
did not go unnoticed by Adam, who
promptly retrieved our plates and, with-
out our having to ask, kindly packed our
food for the journey home. He returned
the items in handled bags, hanging
them on the short rack that had been
provided for our handbags.

He also delivered the dessert menu.
We must not have been as full as we
thought because we immediately de-
cided to share the Souffle, which Adam
advised would take 12 minutes to bake.
What emerged from the kitchen was a
wide white ramekin capped with a tall,
golden brown, pillowy cake dome that
was lightly dusted with powdered sugar.
Using a long spoon, the server dug a
semi-circular divot into its center and
slowly deposited a generous serving of
silky chocolate sauce. The warm, eggy
cake was a light-and-airy delight – a
fitting finale to an outstanding meal.

The attentive service, delicious dish-
es and elegant atmosphere at Lombardi
Cucina Italiana make any day ending in
the letter Y feel like a cause for celebra-
tion.

Frisco STYLE Magazine dining reviews are
not scheduled with or paid for by the featured
restaurant. All reviews are completed for the
purpose of helping readers learn about and
enjoy local dining options. Is there an area
restaurant that you’d like us to review? Email us

at [email protected].

Lisa Sciortino is managing editor of Frisco
STYLE Magazine.

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Ann Harris

2022 Person of the Year

by Lisa Sciortino

SS itting at the kitchen table in her Frisco home on a recent morning, Ann
Harris recounted the story in the Bible’s book of Esther that follows the
beautiful Jewish queen who persuades her husband, the Persian king
Ahasuerus, to retract an order that would have seen Jews throughout the
kingdom massacred.
“It’s the best story,” says Ann, who first became familiar with it during the late 1990s when
her husband, former NBA basketball coach Del Harris, gave her a biography of Esther to
read. The queen’s story resonated with her. “I read it and it was almost like Holy Spirit just
hit me. If it wasn’t for her, all of the Jews would have been annihilated. This was such a God
thing.”
Her deepfelt connection to the story may have something to do with the fact that for
the past decade, Ann Harris – who is Frisco STYLE Magazine’s 2022 Person of the Year –
has herself been on a similar quest to assist and protect an at-risk population: Frisco’s
homeless.
Also a tireless advocate and supporter of dozens of area charitable organizations, Ann is
the co-founder of The Frisco Giving Tree and StepUP Frisco, an organization and initiative,
respectively, that are dedicated to helping those in need. She is also a founding board
member of the North Texas Community Giving Foundation, which supports local nonprofits.
Ann is also active on the local political scene: In 2021, she served as campaign manager
for Angelia Pelham in her bid for Frisco City Council Place 3 and returned to the role earlier
this year in Tammy Meinershagen’s short-but-successful race for Place 2. Over the years,
she has also volunteered with the campaigns of other Frisco City Council and Frisco ISD
Board of Trustees candidates.
“I’ve always believed you’ve got to give back,” Ann explains of her philanthropic and
political work. “It just feels like God has blessed us, and now we have to help other people.”

JUNE 2022  37

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The Coach’s Life inducted later this year into the Naismith Memorial Bas-
ketball Hall of Fame. “We did talk about basketball that one
Born Ann Chiarelli, she and her three siblings were raised time.”
in Reading, Pennsylvania, by their music teacher/orchestra
director/composer father and stay-at-home mother. When What Ann and Del do agree about is that the two formed
she was still a toddler, her parents built, opened and operat- a friendship that grew over several years. “Every now and
ed a nine-hole public golf course in nearby Exeter Township. then, our paths would cross, or I’d go to a (Rockets) game
and say hello,” she recalls. They wed in 1987 while Del was
“That was my playground,” she recalls. “I grew up on that head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. She ended her de-
course,” and eventually picked up the sport herself, playing cade-long teaching career and relocated to Wisconsin.
in her first juniors’ tournament at age 10. She continued to
tee off throughout her teen years, even though she “really The Coach’s Wife
didn’t want to play golf. I wanted to go to the pool where all
of my friends were.” Her love of golf grew throughout her life Thus began Ann Harris’ tenure as an NBA wife. Del went
and she played the sport until 2008, when she was sidelined on to become head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and
by lower-back issues. assistant coach of the Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls and
New Jersey Nets.
As a student at the University of Miami, where she ma-
jored in physical education, Ann was a member of the golf “It’s interesting,” Ann says of being a coach’s wife. Early
team that earned a spot in the 1973 NCAA finals held in Mas- in their marriage, she traveled with him to games and has
sachusetts. She also played on the school’s first women’s attended every home game of Del’s career. “It was fun just
basketball team. “We didn’t have a gym, so we played outside kind of being in the spotlight.”
on the (macadam courts) in the sun in Miami.”
Milwaukee, she says, “was a great place because it was a
She considered staying in Miami to reside following grad- big city but it was a big family town.” While residing there in
uation in 1974, but a teacher-hiring freeze there prompted 1990, the Harrises welcomed their son, Nik (Del also has four
her to return to Pennsylvania. She spent a year working as a other children from a previous marriage).
substitute teacher before learning that her alma mater was
in search of a graduate assistant in the physical education The chilly Wisconsin winters proved difficult for Ann. With
department. She took the position in 1976 and spent a year a new baby and her husband away for 42 games each sea-
working there while simultaneously earning a master’s son, “I had to get out of the house – I was going stir crazy,”
degree. she recalls. She frequently bundled up her son, put him in
the stroller and braved cold temperatures to walk around the
When family friends relocated to Houston, Ann followed neighborhood “just hoping that someone would see me and
and found work teaching at the junior high school level. say, `Come on over.’”
After three years, she accepted the head coach position at
Northbrook High School in Spring Branch ISD, which was In 1994, the Harris family relocated to Southern Califor-
launching a girls basketball program. (She also served as the nia when Del began coaching the L.A. Lakers. Their first
school’s assistant track and freshman volleyball coach.) year there “was tremendous,” Ann says. “You’re starstruck.
You go to the grocery store and there’s The Bionic Woman”
“These kids didn’t even know how to dribble,” she recalls of star Lindsay Wagner, with whom she eventually formed a
the players. When they played games against schools with friendship. Ann also watched as celebrities including Jack
established programs, “We’d get beat by 30 or 40 points. It Nicholson and Kevin Costner sat courtside at games.
was such a bummer. They were experienced, but we weren’t.
As time went on, we got competitive and held our own.” Being an NBA spouse presented Ann with some of her
earliest opportunities to participate in philanthropic work.
Just prior to stepping into the high school head coach role “With every team, the wives had an organization that they
in the early 1980s, Ann and a friend attended a charity event would do charitable work with,” she explains. While in
where she encountered Del Harris, then-head coach of the Milwaukee, she became involved with the local chapter of
Houston Rockets. “The only reason I recognized him was Special Olympics and remains pen pals today with one of the
because of his white hair. I didn’t follow professional sports former athletes she met through that program. “He sends
but he was coaching the Rockets at the time. I watched the me cards and I write him back. He must be about 55 years
news at night and the sports (segments) would come on and old now.”
they would talk about the Rockets and the guy with the white
hair was on – Del Harris.” In the late 1990s, Ann underwent what she refers to as a
“spiritual awakening.” Raised in the Catholic faith, she says
Trying to secure some coaching tips from him to share she was guided and mentored by Del (who had been a pastor
with her fledgling high school basketball team, Ann ap- during his 20s) on a journey to rediscovering and further
proached Del and struck up a conversation. “To this day, he exploring her faith and spirituality. “From there, I was led by
thinks it was a come on, but I really wanted basketball tips,” the Holy Spirit for the community work that I did,” she says.
she says. The couple currently attends Gateway Church and is also
involved with outreach programs at New Life Community
“You can believe that, or you can believe that she was Church, both in Frisco.
actually stalking me,” Del Harris jokes about the couple’s first
meeting. Currently vice president of the Texas Legends, the
G-League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks, he is set to be

JUNE 2022  39

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40   FRISCOSTYLE.COM Ann and Del Harris with
their dogs Amore and Dino

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Ann Harris presents a check on behalf of the North Texas Community Giving Foundation to Kevin Hall, president of the Grant Halliburton Foundation.

Giving Back other organizations including Frisco Fastpacs, Grace to

In 2000, the Harris family relocated to North Texas when Change, Emily’s Place, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin

Del went to work as the Dallas Maverick’s assistant head County, LifeTalk Resource Center and Cornerstone Ranch,

coach under Don Nelson. Searching for a “safe place” to among others. Also an animal advocate, she’s spent count-

raise Nik, the family settled in Frisco, which at that time less hours on site at Becky’s Hope Horse Rescue interacting

boasted less than 34,000 residents. with the critters that reside there. “That’s my happy place.

“Pretty soon, we knew a lot of people in the community,” I loved going over there to feed the horses or play with the

Ann says. For about the first decade after moving here, she goats. It’s just so much fun.”

busied herself tending to her son’s school career and extra- In 2012, Ann says she first became aware that there were

curricular activities. (She coached the basketball teams on then approximately 157 Frisco ISD students experiencing

which he played during grade school.) homelessness. “I couldn’t believe it,” she recalls. She went

Following Nik’s high school graduation in 2008, “That’s to an event recognizing Homeless Awareness Week that

when I was all in for the community” and other charitable was also attended by the then-director of City House, a

endeavors, Ann says. “You’ve got to give back.” nonprofit shelter for infants and children through age 17 as

In 2001, she and her husband established the Del and Ann well as young adults 18-22 that is the only one of its kind in

Harris Foundation for Christian Principles, which awarded Collin County.

scholarships to students through the Frisco Education “I asked if they would put one of their girls’ or boys’ homes

Foundation as well as those attending Christian colleges. in Frisco” and expand the program beyond Plano, Ann

(The Harris' foundation has since been become a donor recalls. “The director said they would if we could get it

advised fund.) Over the years, the couple funded.”

has also financially supported various Over the next two years, Ann and Del

local and international church min- Harris served as development chairs

istries as well as North Texas-area for the expansion project. Alongside

nonprofits and has funded scholar- others from the community, they or-

ships for students at their respective chestrated various fundraisers includ-

alma maters. ing golf tournaments; middle school

Throughout the years, Ann has volunteered with danceathons; the Frisco’s Got Talent

and otherwise assisted numerous local nonprofits and shows staged at local high schools;

JUNE 2022  41

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for its young-adult clients.
The loss of the Frisco City House facility was disappoint-

ing. “After all the work we did for two years (raising) the
awareness and asking people for donations – just every-
thing – it was hard,” Ann says.

Ann Harris stands beside Dunker, mascot of the Texas Legends, during a Being A Blessing
fundraising event.
Other endeavors that Ann has undertaken in service to
and Ducky Palooza, which saw thousands of rubber ducks Frisco’s homeless and at-risk populations have experi-
bobbing along Frisco Athletic Center’s lazy river. They also enced greater success.
collected private donations.
Also in 2012, she approached longtime local REALTOR®
By 2014, more than $700,000 had been raised for the Jan Richey and Frisco resident Amy Davis with an idea to
City House expansion – enough to purchase residences in gather 50 women who would each be willing to contribute
Frisco to house homeless girls and boys as well as establish $100 quarterly to assist local residents (mostly youths,
a resource center for young people. “If there was a student single mothers and their children) experiencing a financial
in the school district who needed help, they would be able need. Within a few weeks, the women had co-founded
to go there,” she says. The Frisco Giving Tree, which continues today courtesy of
some 60 women who willingly give $400 annually for the
The five-bedroom City House home for girls, located in a cause.
Frisco subdivision, was purchased that year and filled with
donated essentials. “We had oriental rugs donated, we had “Everybody thinks that in Frisco everybody has every-
a new leather sectional sofa, artwork,” Ann says. “It was a thing they need and want,” Richey says. However, the
beautiful home.” reality is, “Your next-door neighbor could be in dire need of
something and in desperate pain, but most (people) aren’t
Just as the first young residents were preparing to move going to know. … If everybody just looked outside, there’s
in, the subdivision’s homeowner’s association distributed somebody on their block that can use help – they just don’t
information to neighbors explaining who would be residing know it.”
in the house and how it would be utilized. Some residents
balked and City House ended up in a legal battle with the The motto for The Frisco Giving Tree, Ann explains, “is
HOA. Although a county-level court ruled in favor of the `God has blessed us to be blessings to others.’ I just feel like
nonprofit, the HOA later escalated its litigation to the God has blessed us and now we have to help other people,
Dallas courts, at which point City House opted to settle the whether it’s financially or through influence. Wherever I can
case. help, I want to be able to do that.”

In the end, only six youth residents lived in the Frisco Three years ago, Ann partnered with longtime Frisco
house and plans for the boys’ house and resource center resident Christine Ortega and established an initiative
were nixed. The home was sold three years later, and City called StepUP Frisco with the goal of supporting existing
House went on to purchase and open a residence in Plano homeless programs in the city and surrounding areas so
that they may expand their facilities.

“We just said to each other, `We’ve got to do something,’”
Ann recalls of the women’s initial discussions about the ini-
tiative. “Is anyone else concerned that pretty soon (Frisco
is) going to have people (living) on the streets like in Dallas?
Because that is going to happen as we grow. Collin County
is going to grow. We have two places – The Samaritan Inn
for families and singles, and City House for kids. They’re full
all of the time, and as we grow they’re going to stay full.”

Ortega is executive director at Volunteer McKinney,
which connects volunteers with area nonprofits. She says
Ann is not only philanthropic, but also possesses the ability
to “really put things into action, which is how I am, so we’re
kind of kindred spirits in that way. We’ve just been a great
team. … She’s a person of strong faith and this is part of her
living that out. She’s not going to step aside when there’s
something that needs to get done. … She wants to care for
people and make sure they have the best opportunity in the
world and to give them some hope.”

Ann is also a founding trustee of the North Texas Com-
munity Giving Foundation’s board. Established in 2014, the
grant-giving organization financially supports area non-

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profits and also hosts the popular annual Texas Big Star it. She is a bulldog when it comes to anything that she has
Half Marathon & 5K race in Frisco. What she enjoyed about a passion for.”
her work with the foundation “was that we raised money to
give back to the community and the more we raised, the Honors and Accolades
more we could give.”
For her many efforts, Ann Harris has garnered a slew of
Shannon Swarbrick, a longtime Frisco resident and own- accolades and awards from numerous private and commu-
er of the company Dallas Closet Design, is also on the foun- nity organizations.
dation’s board. She has worked closely with Ann and says,
“She is amazing at going ahead and asking people for what In 2013, she was named one of the Top 10 Women in Col-
she needs help with and really bringing people together. lin County by Dallas-based Star Children’s Charities for her
… I really feel like her driving force is the giving back and work on the City House expansion project. Two years later,
getting behind something that’s really going to help the she received the Spirit of Frisco Award from the Frisco
community.” When involved with a project, she says, Ann “is Chamber of Commerce and, in 2016, the Spirit of Collabora-
in the trenches. She’s putting up signs. She’s going door to tion Award from the Junior League of Collin County as well
door. … She’s never the first to leave. She works very hard.” as the City of Frisco’s Community Star Award.

Larry Harris, Ann’s stepson, agrees. The former Frisco Her son, Nik Harris, is especially proud of his mother’s
resident (he and his family now call Gun Barrel City, south- many accomplishments. “For most of us … we must resign
east of Dallas, home) is the former general manager and ourselves to simply being these check-writers that fund
current director of player personnel for the NBA’s Golden the institutions doing important work. My mother, on the
State Warriors. other hand, is one of the few putting her hands in the dirt,
building these institutions we philanthropize. She provides
“When Ann is really locked into on something, whether charity – not only financially, but by dedicating herself to an
it’s Becky’s Hope or the Boys & Girls Club or anything that’s unglamorous life of making calls, dealing with rejection and
going on in Frisco … it gets to the point where that’s all she navigating bureaucracy to actualize ideas she believes will
really wants to talk about,” he says. “You can just see the help her city.”
passion she has for it. … There’s not many conversations
that don’t revolve around the city of Frisco – what’s going In 2018, Ann received the first-ever Woman of Hope
on, what’s happening and how she can get engaged. Every- Founders Award from the Frisco-based National Breast
thing matters to her in the civic area and … when she puts Cancer Foundation. It was presented two years after she
her mind to something, she’s going to follow through with had been diagnosed with and waged a successful battle
against the disease.

Ann Harris leads a community-wide breakfast to launch the StepUP
initiative addressing homelessness in Collin County.

JUNE 2022  43

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The year that she received her diagnosis, nine of her Pelham says. “Ann is probably one of the most generous,
female friends and family members also learned they had kindhearted people I’ve ever met. She’s like a dog with a
the disease. “I thought, `This is really weird. Is this a God bone when it comes to commitment. She’s relentless. I’ve
thing that I was supposed to get it to help them along their seen Ann stand beside me when we had mudslinging. I
journey?’” she says. think she probably lost some friends because of her com-
mitment to me, and she remained faithful until the end. …
Del Harris recalls his wife’s cancer battle as a “pretty There’s a resilience in her that will not quit, and during the
scary” time. However, he says Ann’s outlook “was always campaign she would not let me give up.”
good. She trusted her doctors immensely … and it all
worked out. We’re both of great faith and prayed through it By all accounts, Ann Harris isn’t one who throws in the
as we have given a lot of other people our prayers and there towel in the midst of an endeavor.
have been awfully good outcomes.”
Currently, she and Del are serving on the board of ISF
Good outcomes were also experienced when Ann helmed Skin Care, a women-owned company that produces a
the election campaigns of Frisco City Council Members line of clinically tested, pharmaceutical-grade skincare
Angelia Pelham and Tammy Meinershagen. products (which Ann helped develop) that are composed of
natural ingredients and suited for all skin types, which may
Meinershagen’s Place 2 campaign earlier this year was also assist in treating myriad skin conditions and ailments.
over nearly as soon as it began: The six-day race concluded
when incumbent Shona Huffman ended her candidacy over While she has admittedly slowed down her busy schedule
health concerns and Meinershagen was named to fill the in recent months, Ann says she is always up for lending a
seat. “We were just getting started,” Ann says of the cam- hand whenever one is needed. “I want to still be involved in
paign work. Nevertheless, had the race continued, “I knew some way. I don’t necessarily want to lead a cause, but if
she was going to win. Everybody loves Tammy.” someone said, `This will be good. What do you think about
helping out?’, I’m there.”
Pelham’s 2021 Place 3 campaign, on the other hand, was
an arduous, eight-month race, Harris says, marked by mul- Each morning, she pauses before a decorative, crys-
tiple candidate forums, knocking on doors and calling on tal-studded crucifix that hangs on her living room wall. “I’ll
voters to convince them that Pelham was the best candi- put my hand on that cross and I’ll say, `Thank you, Jesus,
date for the seat. “It was exhausting, but I kept going. I had for the breath that I’m breathing today. Show me what you
the energy,” she says. want me to do to help others.’”

“I started with a campaign manager and I ended up with Lisa Sciortino is managing editor of Frisco STYLE Magazine.
Ann as a sister, and I think we will be connected forever,”

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JUNE 2022  45

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People to Watch

by Allie Spletter

F risco is comprised of doers – individuals
and innovators who selflessly give their
time, talents, skils, education and expertise
to assist residents and others as the city
continues marching into its dynamic future. Frisco STYLE is
pleased to recognize the extraordinary efforts of several people
whose unwavering dedication to the community exemplifies the
tremendous spirit that makes Frisco a special place to call home.

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People to Watch

S adaf Haq is Sadaf Haq pride. One of those is
founder of Frisco’s Day of Service. “We
Be In Health Founder gather different nonprofits
Foundation, a Be In Health Foundation in the city and honor them

nonprofit aimed at providing by collecting donations

health equity to those in for them. … This year,

need of healthcare whether it be physical, dental, vision we were able to gather by hosting a breakfast for Frisco

or mental health as well as medications. She has actively residents with speakers who honored the legacy of service

served in our community since moving to Frisco in 2015. by Martin Luther King Jr. It was a beautiful and uplifting

Haq and her husband, Dr. Adeel Haq, founded a medical morning that truly united our community through words

practice in Frisco where they are raising three daughters. and actions.”

Sadaf Haq feels strongly that individuals are not in control Currently serving her second term as chair of the City

of the cards they are dealt in their lives. “If we happen of Frisco’s Social Services and Housing Board, Haq is a

to be able and fortunate enough to help others, it is our graduate of Leadership Frisco Class XXII. She also sits on

responsibility as humans to do so,” she says. “Six years ago, the Leadership Frisco Advisory Council, was appointed by

when I started serving on the Social Services and Housing Mayor Jeff Cheney to the city's first Inclusion Committee,

board for the city, I realized the needs that exist in our city. is a member of Frisco Women’s League, and serves on

The needs have only increased. Many are accounted for, the Frisco Education Foundation Advisory Board. “I take

but I saw a gap when it comes to health equity and access my positions very seriously and regard every word written

to basic health needs.” and spoken and every action taken to be impactful in the

Haq credits her Muslim faith for helping her become lives these decisions will be affecting,” she says. “I have

the person she is today, and says that Islam taught her three daughters and know that my actions will impact

to be kind, charitable and responsible for others who are their future and the future of our city. I am hopeful that

in need. “I’ve carried that with me my whole life thus far. my nonprofit will be successful in delivering its mission in

I’ve focused my actions and my career around doing just providing accessible healthcare to those in need.”

that. I’d like to do my part in leaving the world somewhat

better than when I found it.” She has big roles in numerous

volunteer events throughout the year that bring her great

JUNE 2022  47

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People to Watch

F risco is Donny Churchman here in Frisco by pouring my
known for its time, money and efforts into
innovative, President and Chief Executive Officer Frisco’s downtown.”

forward- Nack Development Churchman takes pride

thinking, proud citizens in not only in making our

– many of whom directly community an amazing

contribute to the preservation and advancement of our place to eat, shop and live, but also in serving others.

city’s culture, ambiance and character. Nack Development “I’m most proud of the volunteer coaching I did for youth

President and Chief Executive Officer Donny Churchman competitive baseball for seven years and helping those

is at the forefront of one of Frisco’s biggest renaissance boys become young men and hopefully future contributors

projects. He is a driving force behind the revitalization of to their communities.” Meanwhile, he says, “From a

the Rail District, which offers a mix of restaurants, retail, business perspective, receiving the award from the Texas

entertainment and residential options including the Nack Downtown Association for (being the) Biggest Economic

Theater, the Patios at the Rail, the Ford Building, and the Game Changer in the state of Texas for our Patios project

forthcoming Tower at the Rail, the Ritchey Gin and The was a fantastic recognition of our work.”

Terrace. Although others have attempted to breathe life

“Our community deserves a downtown we all can be into Frisco’s downtown area, Churchman feels his

proud of and that is representative of our great city,” determination in making the area a point of pride as well

Churchman says. “I’ll continue to work toward creating a as an attraction is his greatest contribution to the city and

vibrant, welcoming downtown for our residents, for my kids its residents thus far. “Many have tried and given up before

and their kids and so on.” they even put a shovel in the ground,” he says. “I was and

He hails from a succession of family members who also am committed to revitalizing the Rail District.”

served their communities in various forms of civic work.

“My grandpa was a planning commissioner in Pasadena,

California. My grandmother served as mayor of Pasadena.

… My mom was an economic developer for two different

counties. … I grew up watching them dedicate their work to

the communities they lived in. I see myself doing the same

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People to Watch

O nce a small, sleepy Marla Roe “I have had the fortune of
railroad town that having some great mentors
few people had Executive Director over the years, who inspired
ever heard of, Visit Frisco me to do my best every
single day, and to look ahead
Frisco is now a full-blown

tourist destination. Marla at where I wanted to be and

Roe, executive director of Visit Frisco, has long been part taking those steps with a team to get there,” she says. “My

of the organization’s mission to bring awareness to the father was a great role model for me – his integrity and

city’s status as a premier destination. passion to serve and his dedication to our family.”

Roe began Visit Frisco more than 18 years ago. It serves Roe says her proudest accomplishments and roles

as the official destination marketing organization for the involve her service through Visit Frisco. In 2009, the

City of Frisco. The organization has grown with Frisco Frisco Convention & Visitors Bureau earned accreditation

over the years as its worked to promote the city as an from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program,

ideal location for corporate meetings, sporting events, which demonstrates compliance with more than 100

conventions and trade shows as well as leisure travel. This performance standards. Meanwhile, she earned her

work has had a positive impact on the city’s economy. Certified Destination Management Executive accreditation

A resident of Frisco since 2004, Roe says, “It’s so great in 2015 and also holds Institute for Organization

to be able to live in the city that you love and get to market Management accreditation through the U.S. Chamber of

and sell it every day.” While there are many incredible Commerce.

things happening in Frisco, she attributes the pride and Her greatest contribution to Frisco and its residents,

motivation she feels for her work to her team. “They work she says, has been helping the city become a significant

so hard each day to bring economic impact into Frisco that tourism destination. “Frisco being known beyond the

directly benefits the city, our residents and our tourism region has helped the city financially and has helped our

partners. Tourism is about storytelling and inspiring travel residents have lower taxes through the revenue that it

and getting to do that on a daily basis is incredible.” generates. Our residents love Frisco, and it shows by how

Like Frisco, Roe has also grown and developed welcoming they are to our visitors.”

throughout the years. She credits her mentors as well as

her father for helping her become the person she is today.

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