Suku Nair, Aaron Demerson, Brian Daniels, Prit Patel, Scott Douglas, Phedra Redifer

Economic Development Forum: Shaping North Texas' Future

October 3, 2025
Collin College McKinney Conference Center, McKinney, TX

10:00-10:10AM Welcome 

- Phedra Redifer, Executive Director, WSNCT
- Mercedes Bolen, Board Chair, WSNCT/North Central Texas Workforce
Development Board

10:10-10:30AM Conversation with Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Bryan Daniel 

- Bryan Daniel, Chairman, TWC 
- Phedra Redifer, Executive Director, WSNCT
- Mercedes Bolen, Board Chair, WSNCT/North Central Texas Workforce
Development Board

10:30-11:20AM Economic Development Power Players 

- Moderator: Stefanie Wagoner, Director, Business Retention & Expansion,
Frisco EDC
- Jeanne L. Johnson, Director of Continuing Education, Collin College
- Neil Foote, Executive Director, Frisco Marketing Strategy, UNT-Frisco
- Phedra Redifer, Executive Director, WSNCT
- Ashley Sine, Director of College, Career and Military Readiness, Frisco
ISD

11:20-11:35AM Texas Economic Development on the World Stage 

- Aaron Demerson, President and CEO, Texas Economic Development
Corporation

12:15-12:20PM Welcome from Mckinney Mayor Pro Tem Gere Feltus 

- Mayor  Pro Tem Gere Feltus, McKinney, Texas

12:20-12:50PM A Formula for Innovation, Opportunity and Economic Growth 

- Dr. J.H. Cullum Clark, Director, Bush Institute's Economic Growth Initiative

1:00-1:05PM Collin College's Impact 

- Dr Neil Matkin, District President, Collin College

1:05-1:50PM Workforce and Education: Talent Pipelines 

- Moderator: Jan Jungmann, BRE Manager, Allen EDC 
- Dr. Suku Nair, Vice Provost for Research and Chief Innovation Officer,
SMU
- Toni Crisler, Director of College, Career and Military Readiness, Allen ISD
- Ashleigh Feuerbacher, Vice President, Stephenville Economic
Development Authority

1:50-2:00PM Closing Remarks 

- Bryan Daniel, Chairman, TWC 
- Phedra Redifer, Executive Director, WSNCT

2:00-2:30PM Networking & Visit Mobile Workforce Unit