'I'm Going to Dream Big': Mark Hill Takes the Oath as Cheney's 18-Year Era Ends
- Jul 8
- 4 min read
FRISCO, TEXAS: For the first time in nearly a decade, Frisco has a new hand on the gavel. Mark Hill was sworn in as mayor July 7 before a standing-room-only crowd at the George A. Purefoy Municipal Center, with outgoing Mayor Jeff Cheney administering the transition at a council meeting that doubled as a farewell to 18 years of Cheney in city government, according to Community Impact and Local Profile.
The End of an Era
Cheney's Frisco career began on the council in 2007 and ran through three terms as a council member and three as mayor before term limits closed it out. Past mayors, current and former council members, and his family filled the chamber for his final meeting, per Local Profile.
"This has been an incredible journey. This has been the highlight of my professional career. To live in a community you helped build and grow is a very special feeling." — Jeff Cheney, outgoing Mayor of Frisco
Former council member John Keating summed up the room: "Today marks the end of an era for our city," he said, according to Community Impact.
Hill's First Words as Mayor
Hill, an attorney and former Frisco ISD board president who has lived in Frisco for 20 years, used his first remarks to set an expansive tone. "I'm going to dream big in this role and I ask all of my council members to join me in that," he said, per Community Impact. He framed the job in recruiting terms: "Part of my job is to make sure the next strong family and the next strong business chooses Frisco, Texas," he told the packed house, as reported by The Dallas Morning News.
The Road That Got Here
Hill's path ran through a June 13 runoff, where he defeated Rod Vilhauer 58.12% to 41.88%, taking 19,632 votes to Vilhauer's 14,146 with roughly 25% turnout, per the city's official tabulation. The race followed a four-candidate May election and months of contentious debate at City Hall, and Hill made unifying the city a stated priority of the transition, telling NBC DFW his focus is "building some continuity, lowering the temperature." His term runs through 2029.
What's on the Desk
Hill inherits a city roughly 85 to 90 percent built out residentially, per WFAA, with the remaining growth decisions carrying outsized weight: Fields West and Firefly Park rising on the Tollway, The Mix racing toward deadlines, Universal Kids Resort newly open, and the 2027 PGA Championship on the calendar. Hill has said he intends to be, in his word, competitive: "I intend to help and work with Council and other leadership in Frisco to win a lot of those competitive battles."
Why It Matters
Leadership transitions in fast-growing cities are rare stress tests, and Frisco just passed through its first in nine years with a packed chamber and a peaceful handoff. The record now belongs to the numbers: a 16-point runoff mandate, a term running to 2029, and a to-do list defined by the largest development pipeline in the city's history. Frisco's residents will be able to measure the "dream big" promise against those files in real time, and The Frisco News will keep the scoreboard.
By Albert Angarita · The Frisco News
Albert is a licensed Texas REALTOR® serving Frisco and North Texas. Buying, selling, or relocating? Work with Albert at Texava Real Estate.
To Contact The Frisco News Directly click here
Do you want your business, talent, or article featured on The Frisco News? submit inquiry
HIGHLIGHT BROUGHT TO YOU BY FEATURED PARTNERS:
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and statements expressed in this article are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or beliefs of The Frisco News, its affiliates, employees, officers, or owners. The content provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, medical, or any other professional advice. The Frisco News does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of any information presented and expressly disclaims all liability for errors, omissions, or delays. By accessing this article, you agree that The Frisco News, its affiliates, employees, agents, contractors, licensors, and assigns shall not be liable for any claims, losses, damages, costs, or expenses (including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages) resulting from your reliance on the information provided or from any third-party links, advertisements, or resources referenced herein. Your use of this content is at your sole risk, and you are strongly encouraged to seek professional counsel for your specific needs. Furthermore, The Frisco News reserves the right to modify, update, or remove content at its sole discretion and without prior notice. No guarantees, explicit or implied, are made about the suitability, applicability, or legality of any content or materials for your specific purposes. Any dispute arising from your use of this article shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict-of-law provisions, and shall be adjudicated solely in the courts located in Collin County, Texas. By continuing to access or use this article, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Frisco News, its affiliates, employees, agents, and representatives from any and all claims, liabilities, or damages, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising from your use of the content or your violation of these terms. This disclaimer extends to all articles, publications, and media produced by The Frisco News, now or in the future.
Comments