FoRMeR u.S. SenatoR Bob dole once said, ?When it?s all over, it?s not who you were, it?s whether you made a difference.? When you talk to people who know Mike Simpson, all of them say he has spent his entire life making a difference wherever he is. ?I guess I looked back a long time ago and said I?m never going to be the Ceo of a major corporation or someone who?s going to leave their mark at a big corporate executive level,? says Mr. Simpson. ?But, there are things I can do that will leave a mark at a community level.? the mark he has made on the landscape of Frisco is why we have selected Mike Simpson as our Person of the Year. Mr. Simpson?s mantra is to put everything he has into whatever he?s involved in; and that?s exactly what he?s doing in his newest position as executive director of the arts of Collin County. he?s been charged with what many would consider a daunting task in today?s economy: raising the $18 million needed to put a shovel in the ground and begin building the Collin County arts hall, the show piece of a 124-acre park to be located near Custer Road and State highway 121 in allen. ?Five months in and we have $1.5 million dollars that we didn?t have in december when I accepted the position,? Mr. Simpson says. ?We still have a lot to do. this is a challenging time, but we?re going to get there. It will happen.? So what?s his game plan for making it happen? ?We?ve got to eat the elephant one bite at a time. We have to get the whole community involved. that?s one thing that will help me in this job ? it?s what it took in Frisco - getting Simpson has big plans for the new arts hall (above); Artist?s rendering of the 124-acre project (below) photo & illustration from the Frisco STYLE archives everybody in the city to want to go in a certain direction and getting their support behind you; that?s what I?ve got to do now.? Mr. Simpson set a personal deadline of one year for raising the $18 million; not because he wants to be a hero, but because he says starting actual construction in 2009 or 2010 will save millions of dollars. ?the costs will never be as low as they are today. We?re at a low cost for concrete, steel and subcontractors,? he says. ?I predict those costs will go back up once money from the federal government?s stimulus package hits and states and cities start getting and spending all that money for shovel-ready projects. We have a narrow window where I think we can take advantage of the costs. My job is getting that sense of urgency in the minds of about 800 thousand people and getting them all wanting to participate, to be involved and understand the seriousness of doing it now.? Many civic and business leaders across north texas share a common view about Mr. Simpson and the aCC. Frisco Mayor Maher Maso says, ?that?s what makes a good leader: someone who can lead in the difficult times. Most people can lead in the good times. a good leader is one who can lead in the difficult times, keep everyone focused and keep forging ahead toward your goals. there?s no question that Mike?s the right person for the aCC project in the time we?re in today.? that sentiment is echoed by all of Mr. Simpson?s children. ?You can?t underestimate him. he?s someone with an unflappable will and determination. he believes in everything he?s doing and doesn?t care about what?s in the way. he?s just so determined,? says son Mike. his youngest daughter keri, who lives in atlanta, knows the importance of this project to her father. ?he wants June 2009 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. ©2009 ? All rights reserved. www.friscostyle.com 39
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