2018 Frisco Chamber of Commerce Annual Report

20 18 Frisco Chamber of Commerce

ANNUAL REPORT

ADVOCACY RESOURCES CONNECTIONS

FriscoChamber.com

Who We Are The Frisco Chamber of Commerce is the “Voice of Business” and a leader in the business community, partnering with approximately 1,300 member businesses and representing over 75,000 employees across the community.

In 2014, the Frisco Chamber of Commerce received a 4-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Accreditation defines excellence in chamber planning and recognizes chambers for outstanding change in their communities. Currently, only 208 of over 7,000 chambers of commerce carry this distinction.

“With five generations now in the workforce, we realize that moving forward, we can’t be your grandfather’s chamber, not even your father’s chamber…we must seek new ways to stay

While we were once a “thermometer” in the community, telling everyone about the business climate and what is going on in our area, we have now become a “thermostat” for the business community, actively engaging and being a strong driver and catalyst for change in the business community.

TONY FELKER PRESIDENT/CEO FRISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

relevant to the current workforce and become a chamber of the future. ”

Tony Felker, CCE, IOM

President and CEO Frisco Chamber of Commerce

“Chambers do things that 2 Frisco Chamber of Commercepeople just think happens!”

Making News Nine primary chambers in the area — all active in state government — are leading the effort under the North Texas Commission. The nine include the Dallas Regional Chamber, the Fort Worth Chamber, the North Dallas Chamber and the chambers of Arlington, Frisco, Irving, McKinney, Plano and Richardson. As they continue to organize, we can expect to see them become more vocal during legislative sessions and more influential during primary as well as general elections down the road.

DALLAS MORNING NEWS OCTOBER 2019

Making Connections “We are always looking for opportunities to partner with anyone and everyone in the business community. You all have knowledge and expertise about what is going on out there in the world and that knowledge and expertise would transfer well to our kids and give them a leg up. Our world is in a constant state of change and influx and you are right out there on the forefront.”

DR. MIKE WALDRIP, SUPERINTENDENT OF FRISCO ISD 2019 FRISCO CHAMBER TOWN HALL

What We Do The mission of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce is to protect and promote commerce through advocacy, resources, and connections.

Be the Voice of Business • Ensure elected officials and decision-makers are educated about the impacts of the actions on business and the economy.

Drive Public Policy • Support, oppose, and help shape legislative impacts to the business community at all levels.

Be Problem-Solvers • Serve as a liaison and problem-solver within the community. .

Strengthen Local Economy

• Create a strong economy by providing available resources to grow local businesses.

• Work with a diverse business community in size, industry, and needs to create a sustainable local economy.

Regional Collaboration • Collaborate with other regional entities to promote regional issues.

Workforce Development • Take a large interest in tomorrow’s workforce by working with today’s students by connecting school districts, colleges, and universities with the business community.

Encourage and Educate Voters • Provide opportunities to inform and educate on issues that impact the community.

Leadership Development

• Provide leadership programs to shape future leaders of Frisco.

Promote the Community • Help promote the community to prospective employers and employees.

• Take an active role in the planning and implementation of major sporting events coming to Frisco.

Frisco Chamber of Commerce

3

A Message from the President/CEO Tony Felker, CCE, IOM

President and CEO Frisco Chamber of Commerce

“Chambers do the things that people think just happen!”

At the end of each year, it is natural to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the coming year.

There is no doubt that the Frisco Chamber of Commerce achieved several accomplishments in 2018, all which will be used as stepping stones for even larger achievements in 2019. However, as I say often, we don’t coast here in Frisco and there is more work to be done!

In 2018, we stepped up our advocacy efforts, focusing on problem-solving and governmental affairs at the local, regional, and state levels. While we were once a “thermometer” in the community, telling everyone about the business climate and what is going on in our area, we have now become a “thermostat” for the business community, actively engaging and being a strong driver and catalyst for change in the business community.

This past year, we strengthened our partnerships on many levels, reminding ourselves that together we can do what one cannot do alone! From working with a consultant to realigning our membership team to better serve our members, to aligning ourselves with other chambers on regional initiatives, we have made a positive impact in many areas.

Looking ahead, we have adopted a few key words for 2019…to stay HUNGRY on our end to help our businesses achieve success, to FOCUS our efforts, making sure they align with our mission statement, and to continue to CHALLENGE the way we do things at the Frisco Chamber of Commerce.

With five generations now in the workforce, we realize that moving forward, we can’t be your grandfather’s chamber, not even your father’s chamber…we must seek new ways to stay relevant to the current workforce and become a chamber of the future.

I once heard one of my counterparts say, “Chambers do the things that people think just happen!” and I find that to be so true! Much of what we do is behind the scenes and in 2019, you can rest assured that we will continue to work hard to keep Frisco business-friendly and also the best place to live in America.

4 Frisco Chamber of Commerce

Reflection from the 2018 Chair of the Board Keith Wright

2018 Chair of the Board

“The Frisco Chamber of Commerce continues to maintain a ‘pro-active’ mindset ...”

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the Board Chair for the Frisco Chamber of Commerce in 2018. It was an exciting and rewarding experience to be a part of the Chamber’s inaugural Leadership Exchange trip to Scottsdale, Arizona. It was an initiative inspired by the staff and quickly gained the support of the board, member businesses, city officials, and many volunteers and organizations that are engaged with the Frisco Chamber. The trip exceeded expectations and we look forward to future exchange trips that will allow the Frisco Chamber to learn and share with other chambers across the U.S. In addition to the Leadership Exchange trip, another exciting milestone we achieved during 2018 was the formation of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce Foundation and election of the Foundation Board of Directors. This development will enable the Frisco Chamber to continue to enhance programs like YEA (Young Entrepreneurs Academy) and Leadership Frisco, and also position the Frisco Chamber to look at other strategic initiatives that can help create new revenue streams and programs that benefit our member businesses and entire community. In 2018, we continued our efforts to provide our member businesses and partners with great access to our local, regional, and state elected officials via our Governmental Affairs focus. In addition, Governmental Affairs continued to do an excellent job of educating and providing information to our member businesses and the business community on the issues impacting Frisco and the entire North Texas area.

In 2018, the Frisco Chamber of Commerce was given the opportunity to be an Ex-Officio Member of the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC). This was an exciting and insightful experience for the Frisco Chamber to learn about the accomplishments and objectives of the DRC. It offered the opportunity to bond with key constituents of the DFW area from the business community and other area chambers. It is my hope that the Frisco Chamber of Commerce continues to enhance the relationship with the DRC. The Frisco Chamber of Commerce continues to maintain a “pro-active” mindset focused on advocacy, resources, and connections under the leadership of CEO and President, Tony Felker, and a dynamic and first-class staff.

As we forge ahead to 2019 and set our sights on 2020, the 50-year anniversary of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, and continue to witness all of the progress of our great city, it is an exciting time for the Frisco Chamber of Commerce and I am honored and elated to be a part of it all!

Frisco Chamber of Commerce

5

By the Numbers 2017

2018

7,454

8,145

1,174

1,453

1,306

1,704

@FriscoChamber

6,496

7,291

@FriscoChamber

followers

followers

followers

total follows

followers

followers

followers

total follows

8 Signature Events Frisco Number Ones Gala 5-Star Corporate Challenge State of the City Luncheon New Teacher Welcome John Weinberg Golf Tournament Leadership Exchange Legislative Luncheon Business Beyond Sports

Follow Our Social Media

@Frisco_Chamber

9 Committees/Councils

Ambassadors Frisco Young Professionals Healthcare Council International Business Council Leadership Frisco Senior Service Alliance Veterans Council Women Enhancing Business Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)

6 Frisco Chamber of Commerce

INCOME

4%

35%

2%

Membership Dues Non-dues Events Committees

EXPENSE Admin Programs Operating Reserves*

19%

54%

*annual dedicated contribution

55%

24%

7%

TOTAL EQUITY AND RESERVES 000’s

$1,200 $1,000

Best Places to Live in #1 The America by Money

$800

Magazine September 2018

$600

Growing Large #1 Fastest Cities in U.S. by the U.S.

$400

Census Bureau

$200 $0

New Frisco Accolades

May 2018

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2015

2016

2017

2018

BUILDING NOTE PAYABLE 000’s

$475 $450

Estimated Population January 1, 2018

172,673

January 1, 2019

183,173

+10,500

$425 $400 $375

Estimated Workforce in Frisco

$350 $325 $300

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2015

2016

2017

2018

Over 78,000 Frisco Chamber of Commerce

7

2018 Advocacy Efforts In order to fulfill the Chamber’s mission statement “to protect and promote commerce,” the Frisco Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs division, along with the Board of Directors, takes a strong and proactive stance on governmental issues.

Governmental Affairs at the Frisco Chamber of Commerce is at the forefront of issues not only involving Frisco but the entire North Texas Region.

Over the last three years, the Frisco Chamber has strengthened its presence in Austin meeting directly with state elected officials and discussing issues important to the Frisco business community. The hiring of an Austin-based political consultant further strengthened the Chamber’s presence at the state capital in Austin.

What we worked on in 2018: Held Primary Candidate Forums to educate voters on how primary candidates and their positions would impact the Frisco business community.

Held Municipal Candidate Forums to educate voters on municipal and local candidates and their positions.

Held Town Hall meetings on Public School Finance and Frisco ISD programs.

Sent our member survey on issues impacting business.

Supported and educated voters on the Frisco ISD TRE and Bond elections.

Supported and educated voters on the Collin County Transportation Bond election.

Worked on the Downtown Master Plan.

Participated in the Texas Association of Business Education and Business Coalition.

Supported the Texas Event Fund that helps to bring events and economic impact to local business owners.

Showed support for the Tourism Improvement District to increase the economic impact to local business owners.

Collaborated with the North Texas Commission Coalition to support business growth in the North Texas region.

Held issue-focused roundtables with directly impacted businesses.

Collaborated with Collin County Business Alliance on the “Get out the Vote” initiatives.

Maintained and increased relationships with elected officials across the state.

8 Frisco Chamber of Commerce

Prepared for the upcoming 86th Legislative Session..

Executive Committee

Keith Wright

C. John Scheef, III

Chair

Chair-Elect Scheef & Stone, LLP

2018 Board of Directors

Karen Cunningham Past-Chair The Hopkins Group

Matthew Reiter Treasurer Whitley Penn, LLP

Thank you to our outgoing Board of Directors who have each served six years of service

Craig Moen

Christal Howard

Secretary Wells Fargo Advisors

At-Large Community Impact Newspaper

Heather Bowers Kevin Hodes Craig Moen Steve Zeigler

Paul Williams At-Large Bison Financial Group, Inc.

Board Members

Anderson Insurance Agency

Ann Anderson

BKM Sowan Horan, LLP

Mike Barber

Heather Bowers

Kristin Grammar

Kevin Hodes

Lawrence Howorth

TIG Real Estate Services, Inc.

SWYPIT.com

Lone Star Benefits, Inc.

HOWORTH International, LLC

Peter Burns

Vik Jain

Stonebriar Financial Services

Mary Jo Dean

Texas Health Presbyterian Plano

Josh Meek

Meek Industries, LLC

In 2019, we welcome three new Board of Directors members.

Jeremy Howell Ashley Miller Wesley Randall Donnie Nelson Texas Legends

Randy Nichols

Mossakowski & Nichols Wealth Management, LLC

Steve Zeigler Jersey Mike’s

Frisco Chamber of Commerce

9

Frisco Chamber of Commerce Team The year 2018 has seen an amazing number of changes and improvements across the community and at the Frisco Chamber, and the physical landscape of both entities is changing by the day and yet…some things don’t change!”

The one constant in all of this is the people that make all the rest happen!

Frisco has always been a community of leaders and pioneers…people that did not say ‘that can’t be done’, but rather people that have said, “how can we get this done?”

Tony Felker

Tony Felker, CCE, IOM President/CEO

Tami Alexander, IOM Senior Vice President

Brian Davis Director of Membership

Shona Huffman Karen Kim Director of Senior Director Governmental Affairs Marketing & Communications

Jody McCaghren Partner Relations Manager

FOUNDATION

Chris Johnson Chair of the Board

Frisco STYLE Magazine

10 Frisco Chamber of Commerce

Mike Barber Treasurer

BKM Sowan Horan, LLP

Roz Righetti Office Manager

Gina Cheek Executive Assistant

Christi Wilson Director of Events

The Frisco Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc., established in 2018, operates under a charter as a non-profit Texas corporation governed by a Board of Directors. The Foundation provides financial resources for the Chamber, as well as the Chamber’s community-based projects and offers and establishes programs, such as Leadership Frisco, Veterans Council, and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, that focus on skills and resources of the Frisco business community.

Paul Williams Secretary Bison Financial Group, Inc.

Matthew Reiter At-Large Whitley Penn, LLP

Tony Felker CCE, IOM President/CEO

Frisco Chamber of Commerce

Looking Ahead C. John Scheef, III Scheef & Stone, LLP

“Frisco is a city built on innovation and partnerships.”

2018 Businesses and Citizens of the Year 2018 President’s Award Donnie Nelson, Texas Legends/Dallas Mavericks 2018 Chairman’s Award Bank of America 2018 Frisco Number Ones Award Ashley Miller, National Breast Cancer Foundation 2018 Ambassador of the Year John Talkington, Apex Network Solutions 2018 Ambassador Team of the Year Dapper Dans, led by Dan Anderson-Little

It is my privilege to serve as the Chair of the 2019 Frisco Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

2018 Silver Citizen of the Year Rita Crowder

2019 marks the 49th year of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce being a leading influence in our community’s growth, development, and success. I look forward to helping the Frisco Chamber of Commerce continue on the steady course we are on, yet with a broader, more regional focus. We will continue to advocate at the local, state, and regional levels, establishing partnerships and aligning ourselves with other communities that are facing similar legislative issues, allowing us to achieve a more unified and impactful outcome on policies that have an impact on the business community.

2018 Citizen of the Year Will Sowell

As corporate presence relocates to or grows within Frisco, the Frisco Chamber of Commerce remains aware that we must continue to attract more businesses desiring to invest in broader priorities, those that shape the economic environment in Frisco.

This will allow the Frisco Chamber to intentionally have a more transformational, rather than transactional, mindset.

Frisco is a city built on innovation and partnerships. On behalf of our forward-thinking community, I applaud the efforts of the Frisco Chamber Board of Directors, Frisco Chamber team members, business leaders, and community partners, all who continually set high standards, seek out innovative partnerships, and then continue to raise the bar on a daily basis.

I look forward to serving our community as the Chair of the Board for the Frisco Chamber of Commerce.

C. John Scheef, III Scheef & Stone, LLP

2018 Spirit of Frisco Darren M. Stevens, Assistant Police Chief, Frisco Police Department 2018 Non-Profit of the Year Frisco Association for the Arts 2018 Young Professional of the Year Heather Canterbury, Frisco Fastpacs 2018 Volunteer of the Year Ann Anderson, Anderson Agency, Farmers Insurance 2018 Developer of the Year Frisco Station Partners 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year Rex Kurzius, Asset Panda 2018 Employer of the Year Community Impact Newspaper 2018 Small Business of the Year Tumbleweed TexStyles 2018 Medium Business of the Year Parkhill, Smith & Cooper 2018 Large Business of the Year University of North Texas

Frisco Chamber of Commerce

11

Guiding Principles of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce The government shall do no harm to the Frisco area business community or economy.

The government should maintain local control by keeping as many decisions and regulations as possible at the governance level closest to the people.

The government should limit taxes and government regulation except when doing so would constrain business growth.

The Frisco Chamber of Commerce will take a “long-term” perspective in all of our advocacy efforts...not trading our future for short-term gains.

The Frisco Chamber of Commerce will advocate for legislation that promotes or maintains a fair and competitive business envioronment.

The government should focus on issues and priorities that foster a favorable business community and job growth in the region including streamlining processes.

Legislative Priorities BUSINESS REGULATIONS

TRANSPORTATION

Taxes Federal Mandates

Traffic Infrastructure Funding

EDUCATION

HEALTHCARE

FISD Funding Higher Education Workforce Development

Cost Quality Funding

ENERGY

LOCAL CONTROL

Cost-Effective Reliable

Property Taxes Unfunded Mandates Local Regulations

WATER

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Clean, Reliable Water Supply Infrastructure

Business Growth Job Growth Incentive Programs

FRISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | 6843 MAIN STREET, FRISCO, TEXAS 75034 | (972) 335-9522 | FRISCOCHAMBER.COM