Angelia Pelham won a runoff election June 5 for Frisco City Council Place 3.

Pelham will fill the spot held by Will Sowell, who reached his term limit. Four candidates sought to replace him in the May 1 election, but no candidate earned over 50% of votes, so the pair with the two highest votes advanced to a runoff.

Pelham is the CEO of Real-Talk Executive Coaching & Consulting with over 30 years of experience as a senior executive. She is a co-founder of Life-Changing Faith Christian Fellowship. She also founded the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oration Contest, which has awarded nearly $60,000 to Frisco ISD students, according to her campaign website.

Community Impact Newspaper asked Pelham what is in store as she prepares to undertake the new role.

1. What are you looking forward to with serving on Frisco City Council?

I’m most looking forward to getting out into the city and meeting the residents who chose to call Frisco home. I will be very intentional about meeting with residents and starting dialogue on how we can live better together and create a stronger sense of mutual understanding and respect. I’m also looking forward to partnering with city staff and my peers on council to shepherd the next phase of strategic growth for the city.

2. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the city over the next year or two?

Not unlike most cities, Frisco still has some economic recovery needed to return to pre-COVID state in the area of tourism. The tourist economy impacts all aspects of the city, from hotel occupancy tax, sales tax, to small-business sustainability. And longer term, “balance” will be key for the city. We will need to strategically balance our focus on economic growth while maintaining quality of life and restoring aging infrastructure.

3. What would you like to see from the residents you represent?

One of the most impactful things I’ve experienced while campaigning over the last eight months was the love and support of the residents in this city. I had people who did not know me personally send flowers, deliver meals, send encouragement and prayers, not to mention deliver signs, block walk and serve as poll greeters. We live in an amazing city with residents who have big hearts. I’d love to see our residents continue to support one another, get involved and volunteer, and most importantly stay engaged in our political process.

4. What is your vision for the future of Frisco?

I see Frisco as the gold-standard benchmark and role model for other cities, leading in innovation, economic growth, public-private partnerships, compelling entertainment venues, surrounded by a world-class culture of diversity and unity that attracts residential and corporate citizens from every corner of the world.