Maher Maso

PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE

Current

• Principal, Ryan, Dallas office
  • Specializes in providing business incentive application and compliance services to private sector clients.

Previous

• Board Member, President of Acquisitions, automotive services firm
  • Provided executive leadership with responsibility for profit and loss, operations, financial oversight, marketing direction, opportunity identification, and deal making. Identified, researched, and negotiated acquisition opportunities. Worked with other board members to set strategic vision, approve business decisions, determine operating budget and investment policy, and review outcomes and metrics.
  • Opened new sectors of business growth and closed new partnership deals. Established new financial and banking relationships and developed new financing mechanisms.

PUBLIC SECTOR EXPERIENCE

Previous

• Chief Executive Officer, Prosper Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) (2017–2018)
  • Hired by PEDC Board of Directors and charged with improving economic opportunities and quality of life for residents by creating quality job opportunities, diversifying local tax base, and encouraging responsible and diverse growth. PEDC is the main driver of job creation and investment in the town of Prosper, Texas.
    • Charged with rebuilding organization
    • Hired team
    • Rebuilt budget
    • Worked with PEDC on creating and implementing a new economic development strategy. Cultivated economic and lifestyle opportunities in Prosper and facilitated major economic development projects, including Gates of Prosper, with a focus on true partnership relationships, quality development, innovation, and new technology.
• Mayor, City of Frisco, Texas (2008–2017)
  • Elected three terms as Mayor of the City of Frisco, one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas at 4.7% growth per annum with a population of 159,900+ in 2017, 3.9% unemployment rate, and the largest exemplary school district in the state.
  • Prior positions as City Council Member (2000–2007)/Mayor Pro Tem (five terms) (2003–2007)/Deputy Mayor Pro Tem (2002–2003).
  • Hand-chosen for numerous high-profile executive and board positions.
    • Oversaw operations and administrative functions of all mayoral offices and activities of City Manager, City Attorney, and City Judge. Duties included economic development, budgeting, and community involvement.
    • Worked with officers and boards to develop and implement strategic plans for business, education, public safety, and community programs.
    • Through strategic approach to expansion, positioned Frisco as a hotspot for business development and growth with highly skilled workforce, one of the lowest tax rates, and regulatory structure that lets businesses focus on products and people.
    • Attracted dynamic, high-profile companies that align with Frisco’s vision for the community. Personally engaged and met with chief executive officers and executives.
    • Galvanized an international focus to meet the needs of Frisco’s growing diverse population and economy. Instrumental in bringing and growing EB-5 Program to stimulate Frisco’s economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. Leveraged knowledge of Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) to provide support for private-sector American jobs and the export of U.S. goods and services that facilitated them.
    • Fostered strong relations with heads of government, public policy leaders, and business leaders, meeting one-on-one to facilitate communication and open new opportunities worldwide, including travel to Japan, China, U.K., and Dubai.
    • Exercised strategic foresight in propelling change and buy-in to marshal a culture of quality and business prosperity, working at regional, state, and national levels.
    • Guided City Council to work with its business community partners to bring change and growth.
    • Created 10,000+ new jobs and ranked #1 in the U.S. for the number of new jobs created for five straight years.
• Director and Board Member, Frisco Economic Development Corporation (FEDC), Frisco, Texas (2016–2017)
  • Appointed by Frisco City Council and charged with improving economic opportunities and quality of life for residents by creating quality job opportunities, diversifying local tax base, and encouraging responsible and diverse growth. FEDC is the main driver of job creation in Frisco.
  • During terms as Mayor, worked with FEDC on creating and implementing a new economic development strategy. Cultivated economic and lifestyle opportunities in Frisco and facilitated major economic development projects, including Frisco Park 25, with a focus on true partnership relationships, quality development, innovation, and new technology.

HONORS AND AWARDS

• “21 Leaders for the 21st Century,” Collin County Business (2004)
• “Citizen of the Year,” Frisco Chamber of Commerce (2005)
• “Global Elected Official of the Year,” Global Dallas Chamber (2016)
• Multi-Year Recognition for Continuing Education, Texas Municipal League
• “Person of Interest,” D Magazine

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEERISM

• Arts of Collin County
  • Board Member and Vice President (2000–2008)
• Collin College Education Foundation, Plano, Texas
  • Board Member/Past Chair and Executive Committee Member (2006– Present)
• Metroplex Mayors Association, Texas
  • President (2014–2015)
• Network Cybernetics Corp., Dallas, Texas
  • Board Member (1996–2017)
• North Central Texas Workforce Commission
  • Chief Elected Official (CEO) (2008–2017)
• North Texas Commission, North Texas
  • Executive Board Member (2015–Present)
  • Board Member (2008–2017)
• Regional Transportation Council, Arlington, Texas
  • Board Member (2008–2017)
• State of Texas Red River Boundary Commission, State of Texas
  • Commissioner (2013–Present)
• Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, Plano, Texas
  • Board Trustee (2014–2018)
• Texas Municipal League, Austin, Texas
  • Committee Member, Rights of Way Transportation Committee (2014)
• Texas Select Committee on Economic Development
  • Board Member and Chairman of Subcommittee (2012–2013)
• U.S. Conference of Mayors Sports Alliance, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Washington, D.C.
  • Vice-Chairman (2015–2017)

EDUCATION/ACCREDITATION

• Graduate of University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) Program, The University of Oklahoma
• Executive Master of Business Administration Degree, The University of Texas at Arlington
• Graduate Certificate in Asian Business Studies, The University of Texas at Arlington
• Bachelor of Science Degree, Business Management, The University of Texas at Arlington
• Working Proficiency in Arabic
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and National Emergency Response & Rescue Training Center (NERRTC) Training
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Certifications
• Economic Development – Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)
• Crisis Leadership and Decision Making for Elected Officials – TEEX, NERRTC
• State Certified Public Funds Investment Officer and 500+ hours in Government Training, Texas Municipal League