Collin County Business Alliance celebrates 15 years of impact and launches "Collin County Celebrates" at annual State of the Business

The Collin County Business Alliance (CCBA) hosted its signature 2026 State of the Business luncheon, a high-energy event that combined a celebration of the organization's 15-year legacy with a forward-looking launch of the Collin County Celebrates initiative.

A legacy of collaboration

CCBA Chairman Sanjiv Yajnik opened the event by reflecting on the organization’s founding 15 years ago, noting how business leaders and elected officials came together to bridge gaps and ensure Collin County became one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States.

We also shared a few recent highlights related to the CCBA’s work, including:

  • A 9x growth in the CCBA Mentorship Program, which now serves more than 150 local students and is continuing to scale across Collin County.

  • A landmark surge in the county’s civic participation during the recent primary elections, with voter turnout climbing to 26%, driven by increased community commitment and supported by nonpartisan resources like the CCBA's Collin County Votes initiative.

We also featured a powerful moment of reflection from regional leaders Maher Maso (Ryan, LLC), Richie Butler (Project Unity), and Shawn Jackson (Kaleidoscope Park), who shared why they invest in Collin County. Their "whys" centered on the county’s unique collaborative DNA: a culture where competitors and neighbors alike set aside differences to focus on the long-term economic and civic health of the region.

Global insights from Admiral Stavridis

The highlight of the afternoon was a fireside chat between Admiral James Stavridis, 16th Supreme Allied Commander at NATO, and Dr. Neil Matkin, District President of Collin College. Admiral Stavridis provided a masterclass in leadership and global strategy, touching on:

  • An overview of the geopolitical landscape, covering the Middle East, Ukraine and US-China relations.

  • A call to action for a national cyber force and increased private-public cooperation to defend the invisible battlefield.

  • A candid look at the lessons learned from near-misses during his 37-year Navy career, emphasizing the importance of peer networks and a second chance.

Admiral Stavridis closed by reminding us that there are many ways to serve our country, from the military and first responders to our local teachers and school board trustees. "Service is something we can all agree on," he noted. By encouraging service in every form, we are actively building a stronger, more unified community where everyone has a seat at the table.

Looking ahead

The luncheon served as the official kickoff for Collin County Celebrates, a series of initiatives aiming to unite our community at the local level, celebrate 15 years of the CCBA and honor America's upcoming 250th anniversary.

CCBA Director Monica Shortino unveiled the summer lineup, including the Milestones of America: Path to Unity event on June 11 and the Taste of Texas festival at Kaleidoscope Park on June 20.

"We are here to ensure that the unfinished project that we call America continues to thrive right here in North Texas," said Shortino.

For more information on upcoming events and to learn how to partner with the CCBA, visit Collin County Celebrates.

Collin County Business Alliance