DAVID CRAIG

David Craig ranks as one of the most influential developers in the Dallas area. The only proof you need? Consider Craig Ranch, the master-planned community that Craig and his partners began developing in McKinney more than two decades ago.

Craig transformed 1,125 acres of farmland into a thriving 2,200-acre community boasting commercial, residential and mixed-use retail. The jewel of this development? The TPC Craig Ranch, an award-winning private golf club that is the new home of the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic golf tournament.

Craig Ranch is also home to 500 acres of parks and green space and the McKinney Corporate Center, a 270-acre employment district that houses 1.2 million square feet of office. Plans call for an additional 1.5 million square feet of office space in this corporate center.

"What I enjoy most about real estate is the ability to have a vision and be creative with the bigger picture," Craig said. "It gives me an avenue for problem-solving and helping others. For me, it is not about the deal today as much as it is about the potential opportunities and relationships it provides for tomorrow."

While Craig Ranch would be enough to cement Craig's legacy, the developer is far from finished bringing new projects to the Dallas market. Craig is currently working on District 121, a retail, corporate, hospitality and restaurant development being built adjacent to Craig Ranch. This $250 million mixed-use development, located on the northeast corner of State Highway 121 and Alma Road in McKinney, is scheduled to open its first restaurants in the spring of 2023. Since Craig founded Craig International more than 40 years ago, the company has operated and developed more than 10,000 acres in Collin and Grayson counties.

One of the reasons behind Craig’s success? He’s not afraid of working hard. Craig credits much of his entrepreneurial spirit to his father, a retired Air Force colonel, whom Craig says taught him the value of hard work and dedication at a young age.

"I have been successful in this business because I had great mentors and leaders who guided me early on in my career," Craig said. "My father also instilled integrity in me and reminded me that quitting was never an option, no matter how hard you must work to accomplish something. Those life lessons set the foundation for my success in North Texas real estate."

Despite his many achievements, Craig has faced challenges during his career. He said that overcoming these challenges are some of his proudest accomplishments.

He points to two especially difficult ones, the 1987 savings-and-loan crisis and the Great Recession in 2008.

"No transactions were occurring, which means no cash flow and no return on investment for my capital partners," Craig said. "A lesson I learned from my father was that I could not walk away. I had to find a way to make revenue and honor my commitments. A testament of oneself is not how you react during good times, but how you conduct yourself with integrity and honesty during difficult times."

Given his impact on the area, it's no surprise that Craig has earned several honors from the commercial real estate and business communities. D CEO, for instance, has listed Craig as one of the 500 most influential leaders in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Craig also received the Spirit of McKinney Moving Forward award in 2021.

Craig's impact hasn't been limited to real estate, either. He is also a busy supporter of his community. Craig International supports such charitable organizations as The Boys and Girls Clubs of America - Collin County, The Family Place, Habitat for Humanity Collin County, The Samaritan Inn, Smiles Charity, Love Life Foundation and the American Heart Association.

A commitment to her company and a steadfast resolve to help others achieve their dreams. This is how Fidelis Co-President and Chief Leasing & Development Officer Lynn Davis has changed the industry throughout her career.

After starting moe than three decades ago at Trammel Crow, Davis left in 2003 to co-found Fidelis. Since then, Fidelis has grown to approximately 20 million square feet and branched out to several sectors such as healthcare and residential, to name a few, making it one of the largest firms in Houston. Fidelis has been nominated for multiple awards at the REDnews Real Estate Awards and was awarded the Landmark Award by the Houston Business Journal in 2019 for Davis’s five-year quest to bring a local supermarket to the tight-knit community of Meyerland.

What makes her company so successful? It goes back to building relationships.

“Whether personal or professional, relationships take work,” Davis said. “I’ve worked hard to be the kind of person you want to do business with. Many of those professional relationships have crossed into my personal life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Davis serves on the Executive Council of the McCombs School of Business Real Estate Finance and Investment Center and the Advisory Board for McCombs REIT Fund. She’s an active member of Innovating Commerce Serving Communities (ICSC) and a Life Member of both Texas Exes and the Legends Club.

Among her many esteemed awards, Davis was voted One of the Top 15 Women in Commercial Real Estate in 2012; One of the Top Houston Power Women by the Houston Business Journal in 2019; and named Woman of the Year at the REDnews Real Estate Awards in 2021.

But it’s not always smooth sailing, and building a business comes with its fair share of challenges—one of the greatest for many being maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

“While Fidelis is a very important part of my life, my family is most important,” Davis said. “Being a good wife, mother and friend have always been very important to me, and I strive every day to be as successful at home as I am at work. Whenever possible, I do what I can to extend this luxury to my team, as well.”

Community engagement is another one of her values. In addition to the many organizations she’s a part of, she’s been an organizer for and a benefactor of an array of funds supporting various students and universities. Davis also acts as a mentor for future professionals by sharing the tools of the trade and imparting the knowledge necessary to succeed in the business.