Meet the Frisco Leaders Bridging Gaps, Fostering Unity, and Empowering Others
By Yvonne Brown
Frisco is thriving in so many ways, and much of that success is due to the tireless work of so many who share a common goal in seeking to make Frisco an incredible place to live, work, and play. Those are the individuals who stand as beacons of hope, progress, and inspiration. We invite you to meet Frisco STYLE Magazine’s 2024 People to Watch as we unveil the stories of those who refuse to accept the status quo, who dare to dream beyond the boundaries of convention, and who tirelessly work towards a brighter tomorrow.
From the grassroots level to the global stage, each profile encapsulates the essence of leadership, community-building, and the relentless pursuit of positive change. Prepare to be inspired, moved, and motivated as we delve into the lives and achievements of these remarkable individuals. Their stories remind us that transformation begins with a single spark of inspiration and that every act of kindness, innovation, and gesture of solidarity has the power to ignite a revolution of compassion and change. Join us as we celebrate these trailblazers and honor their extraordinary contributions to our shared humanity.
Terri Paterson-McElhaney
Real Estate Agent at Cheney Group
Board Member, Frisco Chamber of Commerce
Board Member, Visit Frisco Board; Women Enhancing Business Council
Advisory Council, National Breast Cancer Foundation
A true Texan, Terri is originally from just outside Houston, though she moved around a lot due to her dad’s career. Having lived in Europe and South America for some years and attending high school in Brazil, she went to Clemson University in South Carolina and eventually set her sights on finding a home close to the Dallas area. She moved to Frisco in 2004.
‘I’m a small-town girl that likes a big city,” she explains. “I love the growth, opportunity and potential for us and our children, for the arts and sports. It’s a happy medium for me, and there is so much potential to do whatever you want to do.”
Giving back is Ms. Paterson-McElhaney’s happy place. Her mom, a huge advocate for volunteering and serving the community, was her biggest influence and mentor. She now sees her kids relate to that same inspiration. One of her most memorable community projects is the Newman Village Lemonade Stand, born out of an idea by her sons Morgan and Maddox. Over 11 years, they have raised close to $100,000 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
She sees herself as not only someone who enjoys serving but also as someone who connects people. Through the relationships she builds both through her community involvement and professional work, she enjoys finding avenues to direct and connect people in Frisco and find organizations that make sense to their purpose.
Terri is also proud to embrace Frisco’s diversity. She feels growth and diversity are beneficial, and it’s important to respect and learn from other people and cultures. One of the many ways she serves the community is on the board of Visit Frisco.
Ms. Paterson-McElhaney recalls, “I was so excited to take this role as I found a connection to my degree in Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Hotel Management. How cool is it I can now apply that to my service today? To be appointed to a board where my passion lies is fantastic after all these years.”
Having worked in the medical industry for over a decade, she pivoted to becoming a Commercial Real Estate Agent and now helps businesses find a new brick-and-mortar presence and realize their dream in the city of Frisco. Ms. Paterson-McElhaney draws from her extensive experience in community service and involvement to support all sizes of businesses in starting and growing relationships and then has a front-row seat to watch them thrive.
A significant period during the many years she has been in Frisco is when she participated in the Leadership Frisco Program. She says it opened her eyes to so many different aspects of the city she had yet to learn. “I am still learning all the time. If you are not learning, you are not growing, so my advice is don’t stay stagnant. Anytime I have dabbled with anything in this city that has allowed me to grow, I have never been disappointed,” she explains.
To anyone considering a move here, Terri says quite simply, “C’mon! Why wouldn’t you move here? What are your questions, doubts, and interests? We have it all in Frisco!”
Terrance Price
President and Owner of Makers Gym
Advisory Council, Toast for Charity
Board member, Melody of Hope
Terrance was born, raised, and attended college in Memphis, Tennessee. After graduating, he moved to New York to work in the advertising industry. His specialty lies in brand identity and storytelling, helping businesses of all sizes tell their stories. He has won awards for his work and worked with notable brands like UPS, NASCAR, and Amex.
After many years working in Manhattan, he and his wife realized New York was not an ideal place to raise a family. They set about looking for somewhere new to put down roots, and Terrance took an opportunity to join an advertisement agency in Dallas. Drawing from years of experience in the industry, he came up with a new concept to support businesses in the creative field. He soon learned about the innovation, excitement, and growth in Frisco and realized it might be the best place to start the business.
Mr. Price recalls, “The community was very supportive and very friendly. Once I started connecting with people, it was even more exciting. I wanted to find a place where my idea and concept could grow with the city. “Frisco just made sense.”
Due to the support of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, he enjoyed making connections early on and discovered a home for his business, Makers Gym, in Patios at the Rail in the Rail District, which opened in April 2021. The Makers Gym provides a hybrid model of co-working and traditional creative spaces and studios, along with professionals, resources, and coaches to help educate, connect, and elevate your business to the next level and beyond.
“Awareness is our biggest goal right now as some people think it’s a fitness gym. The barriers to launching and growing, particularly for small businesses, are equipment and sometimes space, so we invest that up front to provide for organizations. Not only that, but the facilities provide a place for anyone to be creative beyond just an ordinary office or conference room, whether it be in podcasting, video, or social media. We truly believe everyone is made to create at some point. We all have a creative gene in us – it may not look the same for everyone, but we want to continue to educate and find their creative side,” he explains.
After just one year in business, Terrance was blown away to be recognized by the Chamber as Innovator of the Year at their annual Awards Gala. He truly believes in Frisco’s growth, recognizing that it is smaller than some cities he considered but has true potential. From a personal perspective, he and his wife chose to plant their roots in Frisco. They still love city life, and Frisco has that city feel, particularly around the Star District and Frisco Square.
“Frisco can offer a little bit of everything. A multitude of different restaurants provide various atmospheres depending on your taste,” Mr. Price admits. “You can find peace in the trails to walk right here in Frisco and can find countryside, open ranch land, and rural life in a short drive. The central location suits commuting a few hours away by car to extended family or anywhere else in the country by air.”
Outside of the business, Terrance was looking for avenues to give back to the community and promote the development of the arts. He learned about a popular non-profit organization, Melody of Hope, and soon joined its board. He felt there was a lack of initiatives for the organization’s musicians, so now the Makers Gym hosts open mic nights for all Melody of Hope’s musical artists and provides value and a place for them to exercise or try out new material.
Terrance prefers to be a behind-the-scenes type of guy and create concepts that elevate people and organizations. He pays attention to the stories he hears about people and businesses being successful because of their work with the Makers Gym.
“My purpose is to help people build stories and brands through this physical space or help find their creative side. It’s important to give people the tools to succeed – Making the ‘how’ easier.”
Megan Nguyen-Trinh
SVP/Senior Relationship Manager, Business Banking at Bank of America
Treasurer/Board Member, Frisco Chamber of Commerce
Treasurer/Board Member, Frisco Education Foundation
Board Member, Frisco Family Services
Megan has enjoyed the live, work, and play lifestyle in Frisco for 18 years with her husband and two young children. As a leader in Business Banking at Bank of America, she has the privilege of leading a team to support mid-size companies to grow and thrive in the market by achieving their business goals, no matter how simple or complex.
Of her work, Ms. Nguyen-Trinh shares, “It’s incredibly rewarding (and fun!) to help companies achieve financial success. Whether it’s helping them through strategic growth planning, obtaining access to capital, improving treasury management efficiencies, or succession planning, I’m honored to play a small part in my client’s success as their trusted advisory partner.”
She also serves on various boards focused on business, ending hunger and homelessness, youth, and education. That journey started uniquely after having lived in Frisco for only two years. Her oldest brother passed away, leaving behind three teenage boys (their mom had passed just five years prior). As a young single aunt, she eventually took guardianship of the two younger boys while working early in her banking career amidst a recession of sorts. While it was an extremely challenging time, one of the greatest blessings in disguise to provide support was Frisco ISD.
“Not only did the boys receive a great education, but their teachers were also amazing, checking in from time to time. It took an entire village! Had it not been for the strength of the school district, which lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, I’m not sure how I would have overcome that era,” she recalls.
After Ms. Nguyen-Trinh got married and had children, she felt it was time to truly give back, and the first place to do so, was Frisco ISD through the Frisco Education Foundation. She started volunteering and, before long, was appointed to the board. Similarly, the same process occurred with the Frisco Chamber of Commerce and Frisco Family Services.
“I’m truly honored to serve my community in incredibly meaningful ways, especially where my heart and passion align. I am also absolutely grateful that Bank of America provides me with the tools and resources to execute in the market and their unwavering commitment and support of teammates who volunteer and give back to the community. It’s really hard to not love what I do!” she explains.
What she enjoys most about Frisco is the people, and admits the relationships, partnerships, and collaborations within the city are like no other. She is proud to be part of the culture and feels blessed to have met some of the most genuinely kind people with the biggest hearts, many of whom she calls friends today.
In the future, whether it’s with business or community involvement, she plans to continue to make a positive impact for the greater good of all in the community. “As long as they’ll have me, I’m here to stay and serve, and my message to anyone considering a move here is to get ready to experience to best Texas suburb lifestyle! You’ll love Frisco!” Ms. Nguyen-Trinh says.
Danny Mehta
Co-owner of The Game Show Experience
Chairman, City of Frisco Downtown Advisory Board
If you want to engage with any business in Frisco’s downtown Rail District, Danny Mehta can usually connect you. A self-proclaimed National Football League (NFL) junkie and advocate of community participation, he moved to Frisco in 2008 with his wife and two sons.
Since his family’s move to Frisco, Mr. Mehta has remained busy and active within our community serving on several boards and committees over the years, including the Frisco Citizen Bond Committee, the 2018 Downtown Master Plan Committee, and the North Texas Food Bank—“Hunger Mitao” Indian American Council Steering Committee (2019-2020). He was also Vice President and President of the Rail District Merchants Association from 2017 to 2019.
Mr. Mehta believes Frisco strikes a unique balance between growth and community. “I believe in the power of community and the positive impact we can create together. Volunteering is my way of expressing gratitude, and allows me to make a difference and connect with others who share similar values,” he explains.
In 2016, he founded Countdown 2 Escape, located on Main Street in the heart of the Rail District. He and his friends, the Hammonds, just recently transformed the space into a hugely popular family event venue – the Gameshow Experience. It has become a place where groups can play classic game shows, laugh, and make lasting memories.
Besides owning a business in the Rail District, he is a key force behind the city’s recent investment in the Downtown Frisco area. Many individuals are working together to create a 16-to-18-hour district for locals and visitors to come and stay for hours. Walkability, new lighting, and a central plaza and stage on 4th Street will form key aspects of the destination.
Mr. Mehta shares, “My heart lies in the growth and vibrancy of our downtown. The Rail District will be the heart of our city – a vibrant hub where life, culture, and community converge.”
Even as the city expands, he often runs into familiar faces at the park, farmer’s market, community events, or a local coffee shop and enjoys the comfort of feeling connected in a high-growth environment. Looking to the future, Mr. Mehta intends to continue to focus on ways to give back to Frisco, whether it’s organizing events, mentoring, or supporting local initiatives. He finds fulfillment in giving back to the community that has been so kind to him and his family.
To anyone new to the city, he recommends getting involved. Mr. Mehta advises, “Whether it’s volunteering, attending town hall meetings, or participating in local events, there are ample ways to engage and contribute. And hopefully, it will help you make new friends like I did.”
Craig Moen
Financial Advisor – Wells Fargo
2024 Frisco Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Frisco Award winner
Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, Craig Moen arrived in North Texas in 1999. He was looking for a place that had a small-town feel with big-city access. At first, he and his wife settled in Celina, but soon, his connections through church and friends all centered around Frisco, so they moved there in 2009. He quickly connected with the Frisco Chamber of Commerce and regularly attended the Thursday morning network events, now known as Chamber Works.
Mr. Moen organically began to find his purpose in the city, making connections and serving on the boards of the Community Development Corporation (CDC) and Economic Development Corporation (EDC) for many years. He is also a graduate of Leadership Frisco Class XII.
Some of his achievements include being involved in various teams that brought the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters, the Sci-Tech Discovery Center, and the National Videogame Museum to Frisco.
He recalls a time in his early years of serving on the CDC Board when George Purefoy decided the city should purchase 91 acres of ranch land in the southwest area of Frisco for future investment and development. Ironically, Mr. Moen’s professional office (Wells Fargo Advisors) just relocated to a location overlooking those 91 acres that now make up the Star District. Sitting in his office chair, looking out the window overlooking the property, he realizes his community service to the city has truly come full circle.
Earlier this year, he was honored with the Spirit of Frisco Award by Frisco’s Chamber of Commerce at their annual Awards Gala. This award is given to an individual who “exemplifies love, dedication, commitment, and sincerity towards his or her city and fellow citizens; a person who truly embodies the spirit of our great city,” according to the Chamber.
After all the years of community service and having reached term limits on the boards he served, he describes his current season of life as a semi-retirement period of sorts and is waiting for the next chapter or opportunity of service that may suit this season of his life to present itself.
For now, he enjoys being available outside of his work schedule to support his children in their school and sporting activities. He also likes to engage with them to cultivate and continue a legacy of leadership and hopefully encourage community involvement.
To those considering a move to Frisco, Mr. Moen explains, “There is something at every corner of this city. Whatever endeavor you may pursue, Frisco has it. If they don’t, there are opportunities and people ready to listen to a concept or idea and support making it happen.”
His hope for Frisco is that any of the areas that may be missing continue to diminish over time. He believes it’s truly important to build a city that can sustain growth and establish a strong destination for generations to grow, learn, and eventually plant their roots.
While he respects many students who graduate from a tremendous experience in Frisco ISD will want to spread their wings to travel or pursue further education outside of their home city, he hopes his and many other children will feel Frisco is a place they can return at some point, to plant roots and find their purpose.
For his part it is fair to say Craig has more than stamped his mark on building and shaping Frisco as a great place to live, work and play!
