Coby Pewitt: A Legacy of Service, Leadership, and Imagination in Richardson
Meet Coby Pewitt, a third-generation Richardsonian and retired Assistant Chief of Police. Discover his journey from Disney dreamer to law enforcement leader, his passion for marathon running, and his deep-rooted commitment to the Richardson community.
Mark & Michael Parmerlee: Two Generations of Leadership Shaping Richardson, TX
The last name Parmerlee is synonymous with business and civic impact in Richardson, TX. The Parmerlee presence is a powerful two-person engine: Mark, the long-established business leader who built Golden Tree Restaurants into a regional force; and Michael, who has spent the past decade carving out his own path as a civic organizer and connector. The story of Mark and Michael is not about succession, but about parallel influence—a father whose business and philanthropic reputation helped shape modern Richardson, and a son whose deep civic involvement has cemented his place as an outstanding community leader. They work side by side, each in his own lane, carrying the same ethos of integrity, service, and commitment to the city. Mark Parmerlee: The Builder and CEO of Golden Chick Mark Parmerlee is the President/CEO/Chairman of Golden Tree Restaurants, the parent company of the Golden Chick brand. Starting his career as a dishwasher, Mark purchased Golden Fried Chicken in 1989 and has guided the concept through multiple evolutions over 36 years. Today, under Mark’s leadership, Golden Chick employs over 6,254 people and is on track to surpass 250 locations by 2025. His tenure is defined by prioritizing franchisee profitability, food safety, and advancing training programs. Anchoring Golden Chick in Richardson Mark made the critical decision early on to place the company headquarters in Richardson. Believing in the city’s schools, location, and its “big small-town feel,” the family eventually purchased all five buildings in the Arapaho Gardens complex, anchoring the company permanently in the city. Mark’s sons attended Spring Valley, Westwood, and Richardson High School (RHS), solidifying his commitment to RISD. A Life of Charitable Giving and Service Mark consistently ties Golden Chick’s presence to local support. The Arapaho location’s popular funnel cake fundraiser donates fifty cents of each sale to nearby schools. Mark has been a champion of youth leadership through Scouting, serving as Scoutmaster and currently on the Executive Board of Circle 10 Council. As co-founder of the Sporting Clays Invitational, he has helped raise over $7 million for ScoutReach, supporting underserved youth. Mark’s guiding principle is simple: “Be honest. Be respectful. Be caring.” Resilient Leader and Future Philanthropist A little-known fact is that Mark is a two-time liver transplant recipient, with his last transplant occurring more than twenty years ago. Despite his resilience, Mark is preparing the company for his eventual retirement to focus on travel, landscaping, his ranch, and, most importantly, philanthropy. He plans to give back more time, not just support from a distance. Michael Parmerlee: The Connector and Civic Leader If Mark is the builder, then Michael Parmerlee is the connector—the person who shows up reliably across Richardson’s civic landscape. Michael forged his own path through community service before joining Golden Tree Restaurants as President and Associate General Counsel of GFC Leasing Corp, LLC. Michael’s extensive local involvement includes: Immediate Past President of Richardson East Rotary Club and current Assistant Governor for Rotary District 5810. Board Member of the Richardson Family YMCA. Active member of the Leadership Richardson Alumni Association and Advisory Board Member. An enthusiastic alum of Leadership Richardson (LR) Class 33. Michael emphasizes that he chooses organizations based on the people he serves with: “Service is most meaningful when you’re surrounded by people you enjoy and respect.” He loves Richardson for its transit lines, accessibility, the presence of UTD, and the community’s understanding that a great city requires contribution. A Shared Legacy and Future Vision While Mark is eyeing retirement, Michael is in expansion mode. Both leaders are guiding Golden Tree Restaurants into new real estate ventures, including potential new Golden Chick locations within the city. Philanthropically, Michael is deepening his involvement with Rotary, including adding international service with an upcoming trip to Camaguey, Cuba, to help build a baseball field. The long-term vision is a Parmerlee family foundation. This foundation would allow them to take their decades of combined giving and civic network and scale their philanthropic work, providing a structured, long-term investment in the city that raised them. The Parmerlees are not just building a legacy; they are building momentum. Mark anchored the company in Richardson decades ago, and Michael is now one of the key leaders shaping what Richardson will look like in the next decade.
Leading with Heart: Amy Taylor on Volunteer Services at Methodist Richardson and Community Engagement in Richardson, TX
Directing Volunteer Services at Methodist Richardson Medical Center As the Director of Volunteer Services at Methodist Richardson, Amy Taylor oversees a vital team of nearly 200 active volunteers, consistently seeking dedicated individuals who wish to give back to the community. Her department supports several key programs: Daily Volunteers: Commit to a weekly four-hour shift, handling essential tasks like escorting patients and visitors, restocking supplies, and supporting the surgery waiting area. Unit Volunteers: College students pursuing careers in medicine who commit to a year-long, weekly four-hour shift, gaining direct experience working with nurses and healthcare technicians. Pastoral Care: Volunteers who partner with the Chaplain to offer spiritual comfort. Pet Therapy: Rigorously trained volunteers and their dogs providing comfort to staff, patients, and visitors during stressful moments. Junior Volunteers: Local high school students who participate each summer to gain an introduction to healthcare service. Amy emphasizes that working with people who are so committed to helping others is the best part of her job, citing the recognition of volunteer Jerry Nichols as a Richardson Real Hero as a defining, meaningful moment. Richardson Roots and Career Path A true local, Amy was born and raised in Richardson and is a proud RHS graduate. She holds a degree from Texas A&M and initially pursued marketing and promotions in radio and cable TV (working with networks like HBO/Cinemax and Oxygen). Her path shifted toward community involvement when she joined the Eisemann Center, which eventually led her to the Director of Volunteer Services position at Methodist Richardson. She describes the role as a “perfect fit” that allows her to help people directly within a healthcare setting. Deep Community Involvement in Richardson and Plano Amy’s commitment extends far beyond the hospital. She is highly involved in community leadership and the arts: Cultural Arts Commission: She actively serves here, helping to review public art submissions (including the new artwork at the Richardson Animal Shelter) and participating in the annual nonprofit arts grant process. Leadership Richardson: A proud member of Class 32, she is actively involved in the Leadership Richardson Alumni Association and maintains strong ties with her classmates. Richardson Chamber: An active member, supporting local business and community development. As her family is zoned to Plano ISD, Amy is also involved with Leadership Plano and the Vines High School Band Booster Committee and PTA, demonstrating her wide-ranging commitment to the local education system across both Richardson and Plano. Personal Life and Holiday Traditions Amy lives in the area, maintaining a small but close family unit. Her daughter is an aviation major at the University of Oklahoma, and her son is a percussionist at Vines High School. The family also includes two rescue dogs, Argo and Indie (Indie adopted from the Richardson Animal Shelter). In her free time, Amy enjoys local volunteering, attending concerts (like the annual Wildflower! festival), and traveling to warm destinations. For the holidays, her family keeps it simple: attending a Christmas Eve service followed by lasagna and Uno at her house, then gathering at her parents’ home on Christmas Day. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Methodist Richardson Volunteer Services to learn more about their programs.
A Sparkling Night: Celebrating Outstanding Volunteers at the Richardson Real Heroes 2025 Awards
Dr. Mona Alnaeemi and Neil Stampe Honored at 15th Annual Celebration By Bonnie Kudlicki On Thursday, August 28, the Richardson Real Heroes 15th Annual Awards Celebration was a sold-out success at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts. The event honored two exceptional recipients—Dr. Mona Alnaeemi and Neil Stampe—for their extraordinary commitment to volunteerism. Guests included the Richardson mayor, council members, city manager, and chief of police. The evening festivities, which included a celebration of prior real heroes, featured special guest, Texas-based singer, songwriter, and speaker Sara Hickman. Charles Eisemann presented each honoree with the coveted 2025 Annie Award for their outstanding volunteer work. Further cementing their impact, Congresswoman Julie Johnson bestowed each with a Congressional Commendation for their volunteer achievements. We are incredibly proud to celebrate the work of these two outstanding individuals who exemplify the spirit of community service in Richardson. Real Hero: Mona Alnaeemi, Ph.D. Mona and her family sought refuge from Kurdistan, north of Iraq, during the Saddam Hussein regime. Placed in Richardson upon arrival, they received help from a nonprofit group aiding refugees, which immediately compelled Mona to pay back by dedicating her life to volunteering. For 30 years, the impact of her selfless work has been life-changing for countless people in Richardson and beyond. With a Ph.D. in Human Services, Mona is now a Human Services Board Certified Practitioner and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She leverages her expertise to steer volunteer clients through myriad systems to find food, housing, school, counseling, English language instruction, and critical emotional support in a new city. Her ability to communicate in four languages allows her to connect with and serve a diverse population. Since 2010 at the Islamic Association of North Texas, she established a critical social service line, offering support to single mothers, widows, new refugees, and low-income families, helping them build sustainable, self-sufficient lives. Mona also co-founded the Dallas Institute for Immigrant Women in 2018 and serves actively with the Richardson Police Department and the Richardson Civil Board. Real Hero: Neil Stampe Neil retired at 49, but instead of resting, he committed to giving back. For 30 years and counting, he continues to contribute to the Richardson community in highly impactful ways. His volunteer ‘career’ began in 1995 when he joined the Richardson Rotary Club, holding many positions and aiding in a multitude of successful service projects. He was just sworn in as their 2025 treasurer. A proud graduate of Leadership Richardson’s Class 12 in 1996, Neil has kept that pride alive by acting as an advisor, a ‘rock’ (mentor), and curriculum chair for 11 subsequent classes, remaining an active member of the Alumni Association. In 2003, Neil added the Network of Community Ministries Handyman (part of Seniors’ Net) to his volunteer tool belt, doing no-cost home and safety repairs for seniors and the disabled. He later joined the Network’s Board of Directors, successfully assisting their growth through a $6.3 million fundraising campaign that secured their current headquarters. He was also a co-founder of a similar program, First Richardson Helpers, at First Methodist Richardson Church in 2016. Support Richardson Volunteerism Read Mona and Neil’s full biography, see their videos, and view awards celebration photos by visiting richardsonrealheroes.com. While there, please consider donating to the only city-wide program dedicated to volunteerism. RRH is an all-volunteer nonprofit 501(C)(3) that relies on donors to fund its program.