A Night of Celebration
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, the business community arrived at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort, dressed in formal attire, ready for an evening of celebration, connection, and recognition. From the moment guests stepped into the venue, the air buzzed with excitement—this wasn’t just an awards ceremony; it was a true celebration of the entire business community. This year’s presenting sponsor was once again Texas Health Hospital Frisco.
VIP Celebration Lounge and Cocktail Hour
The night began with an exclusive VIP reception, where award nominees, past winners, and sponsors were recognized in style. This year, the Frisco Chamber received a record-breaking 160+ nominations—a testament to the incredible businesses and individuals shaping our community. Following the VIP Celebration Hour, sponsored by James and Patricia Collins, guests mingled over champagne, provided by Firefly Park, enjoyed live digital caricature artists, and took advantage of stunning photo opportunities, making it a glamorous prelude to the main event. The UNT Zebras Jazz Band added ambience to the evening.
Celebrate Frisco!
Frisco Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, Christal Howard, kicked off the evening with a heartfelt message. “We have so much to celebrate and be grateful for tonight. I want to express my gratitude to each one of you! You chose to be here, to support the mission of the Frisco Chamber and to celebrate your fellow business owners and leaders. There aren’t many places where you can count on 700 people to turn out and prioritize celebrating the success of others, but look at this! You are at the heart of what makes Frisco so special.”
Celebrating Community
Adding to the evening’s spirit of giving, five Frisco ISD PTAs were awarded a total of $11,000 through the Rail District Receipt Race, an initiative of the Frisco Chamber Foundation. This project has been instrumental in driving support for Rail District businesses during ongoing construction, reinforcing the community’s commitment to local success. Read more about the Receipt Race winners here.
As the evening unfolded, the spotlight turned to the night’s honorees. Ashley Miller, Director of Public Relations and Official Spokesperson at National Breast Cancer Foundation, joined the stage as the evening’s emcee. From dazzling attire to connecting with others and well-deserved honors, the 2025 Frisco Chamber Awards Gala was a night to remember. The event wasn’t just about awards—it was about celebrating the people and businesses that make Frisco thrive. Here’s to another year of success, collaboration, and community spirit!
And the winners are...
Many of the night’s honorees were caught off guard as their names were announced, their expressions shifting from surprise to deep gratitude. Some took the stage with thoughtful words, while others were momentarily speechless, soaking in the moment. Each recipient shared a common sentiment—honor, appreciation, and a deep sense of connection to the Frisco business community.
Ambassador of the Year – Kimberely Wartell (Housewarmers of Frisco)
Volunteer of the Year – Stephanie Burnett (Community Impact News)
Community Champion – Tyler Clutts (Cresa)
Employee of the Year – Sydney Jenkins (PGA of America)
Executive Leader of the Year – Shanna Keaveny (Texakoma, Frisco EDC)
Entrepreneur of the Year – Carrie Ermence (Lone Star Roots)
Employer of the Year – PGA of America
Nonprofit of the Year – Frisco Threads program by Frisco ISD Council of PTA’s
Business Excellence – Tumbleweed TexStyles
Corporate Community Champion – National Breast Cancer Foundation
Citizens Awards
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the presentation of the Citizen’s Awards, a special honor given each year. Unlike the other awards, these recipients are handpicked by past Citizen Award winners, a distinguished group whose legacy spans decades. Another fun fact is that this group works hard behind the scenes to make sure the recipients’ families can secretly be in attendance.
Citizen of the Year – Ron Patterson
Legacy Award – George and Debra Purefoy
Spirit of Frisco – Ashley Miller
President's and Board Chair's Awards
Closing the evening, two final honors were bestowed by the Frisco Chamber President/CEO and the Board Chair. These awards, the President’s Award and the Board Chair’s Award, recognize individuals who have made an extraordinary impact on the Chamber and the community.
Christal Howard honors long-time community leader Gary Carley, who has been a supporter, encourager, and mentor for Christal since she first met him in 2013.
Chad Sterling, 2024 Frisco Chamber Board Chair honors Dustin Paschal and Paul Simon for their dedication and passion in helping to set up the Frisco Chamber Foundation and their continued leadership of the Big Star Half Marathon & 5K, an event that benefits the Frisco Chamber Foundation.
Photo credit 7 Seconds Media. See more photos on our Facebook page.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
