Tyler Clutts, Cresa recognized and honored as Community Champion amongst the winners.  

The Frisco Chamber of Commerce honored longtime city leader Ron Patterson as Citizen of the Year during its annual gala Saturday night at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort, where more than 700 attendees gathered to celebrate the city's business and civic achievements.

Patterson, who served Frisco for more than 21 years across various leadership roles, accepted the award with humility.

"I love Frisco," Patterson told the crowd. "I am humbled, especially by the people that I know that have come before me. I am humble that I got to work with a man named George Purefoy for many years... This means the world to me, you have no idea. I love this community and I will just say that there's a bright future."

Patterson began his Frisco career in 1993, returning in 2007 as Assistant City Manager before becoming President of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation in 2017 and Deputy City Manager in 2021.

His achievements include establishing the city's first Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, which funded projects including Stonebriar Centre, Riders Field, and Comerica Center. He also managed development of the Ford Center at The Star and helped attract major corporations including Keurig Dr Pepper and TIAA.

Former City Manager George Purefoy and his wife, Deborah, received the chamber's Legacy Award for their combined impact. George served as City Manager for 34 years until his 2022 retirement, while Deborah taught for more than two decades, including 22 years in Frisco.

"It was the largest blessing of our lives to be here in Frisco," George said. "I will always hold Frisco in my heart, always will."

Christal Howard, president and CEO of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, noted that the chamber received a record number of nominees for its annual awards, celebrating what makes Frisco a "special place to live, work and play."

Gary Carley, a commercial banking executive with more than 40 years of leadership experience, received the President's Award for his service on numerous civic and business boards.

The chamber recognized numerous others for their contributions to the Frisco community. Award winners included:

— Ambassador of the Year: Kimberley Wartell, Housewarmers Frisco & Housewarmers McKinney

— Volunteer of the Year: Stephanie Burnett, Community Impact

— Employee of the Year: Sydney Jenkins, PGA of America

— Executive Leader of the Year: Shanna Keaveny, COO of Texakoma and Frisco EDC Board Chair

— Entrepreneur of the Year: Carrie Ermence, Lone Star Roots

— Employer of the Year: PGA of America

— Non-Profit of the Year: Frisco Threads, Frisco ISD Council of PTAs

— Business Excellence: Tumbleweed TexStyles

— Community Champion: Tyler Clutts, Cresa

— Corporate Community Champion: National Breast Cancer Foundation

— Spirit of Frisco Award: Ashley Miller

— Board Chair's Award: Paul Simon and Dustin Paschal

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