2012-2013 Leadership Frisco Class XVI creates Foundation to serve Frisco non-profits and start-up programs.

May 10, 2013 Frisco, TX Leadership Frisco Class XVI has created The Frisco Charity Partners, a 501(c)3 Foundation, as its class project. This Foundation, the first of its kind developed from the Leadership Frisco program, carries the mission of raising funds to give start up non-profits as well as existing charities the power to make a difference in Frisco through Communication, Fundraising, Leadership, and Networking. Brandon Burden, class member and newly elected President of the Foundation stated, When my fellow Leadership classmates proposed over 20 projects, I knew it was going to be hard. We took a big, bold step and created a legacy foundation whose reach is without limits to the Frisco citizens and community. The Foundation is in the process of looking at two events to kick off their foundation fundraising and currently setting up the criteria for non-profits and start-up non-profits to apply as beneficiary recipients. We are proud that The Frisco Charity Partners Foundation is now up and running and we cant wait for the positive impact this will have on Frisco for many years to come, stated Burden. The Foundation is made up of the current 20 class members who will also serve as the Foundations Charter Board Members. Peter Burns, Chairman of the Leadership Frisco Advisory Council commented I am impressed with the vision, imagination and actions of the leaders in this class. They have tackled this huge endeavor through months of creative thinking and dedicated teamwork. Leadership Frisco is a 9 month community leadership program sponsored by the Frisco Chamber of Commerce dedicated to developing a pool of well-informed, highly motivated individuals qualified to assume leadership roles in the Frisco Community. Participants learn and practice skills critical to working with volunteers and groups in the community and their businesses. Members of the program select and complete a class project during their year that benefits Frisco. Past Leadership Frisco graduates serve on many Frisco city boards and councils. Some of the previous Leadership Class projects have been the Frisco Senior Center, Mindbender Academy, Frisco Cares Clinic and Youth Leadership Frisco.

The participants of the 2012-2013 Class XVI are:

Elise Back - Frisco Economic Development Corporation, Economic Dev. Manager Ben Brezina - City of Frisco, Asst. to City Manager Brandon Burden - Spectrum DFW, Managing Principal John Classe - Bell Financial Group, Certified Financial Planner Laura Crow - Branch Banking and Trust Co. (BB&T), Financial Center Leader, AVP Jenny Dowdy - Keller Williams, Frisco Stars Realtor Jon Hardesty - Collin College, Dean of Academic Affairs for Science, Technology, Math & Engineering Herman Hill - HCI IT Services Inc., Executive Vice President Shona Huffman - Prestonwood Church, Wedding Coordinator Dana Jones - C.A.K.E.! Crimes Against Kids Eliminated, Volunteer Executive Director Trey Kennedy - BKM Sowan Horan, LLP, Partner Teri Krutewicz - Frisco Chamber of Commerce, Director of Finance Ryan Langston - Strasburger & Price, LLP, Attorney Laura Madden - Sci-Tech Discovery Center, Dev. & Membership Manager Robert Moroch - Boeing Facilities, Project Administrator Marcellus Rainey - The Cell, Inc., President & Owner Monaz Siganporia Enlightened Minds Meditation, Citibank, President & Owner Bradley Smith - Peterson Construction Inc. Project Manager Michael Stevenson - BDO USA, LLP Partner, CPA Samuel Terry - Oracle, Inc. Systems Marketing Manager

For more information contact: Peter Burns, Frisco Leadership Chair, 214-725-0317 #####