From a $370M Frisco Business to the Mayor's Race: Rod Vilhauer Shares His Story

Rod Vilhauer recently sat down for an extended podcast interview where he opened up about his life, his business career, and his vision for Frisco's future. For anyone who wants to understand who Rod is beyond the campaign signs, this conversation is worth your time.

Here are the highlights.

Arriving in Frisco When It Was Still a Small Town

Rod moved to Frisco in 1986 when the city had a population of roughly 2,800 people. Preston Road was a two-lane blacktop. Highway 121 was a two-lane blacktop. At the intersection of Preston and 121, there was a Ford dealership and a bank — and that was about it.

"I saw cattle and tractors and combines," Rod recalled. "I said, this is far enough. And that's where I stopped."

He's been here ever since — more than 40 years of watching Frisco grow from a quiet farm town with blinking yellow lights into one of the fastest-growing cities in America.

Building a $370 Million Company from $40,000

Rod and his business partner Barry Rich started Rodman Excavation when Rod was 29 and Barry was 24. Their total startup capital was $40,000 — and their first check went to general liability insurance.

"All we knew was dirt. That's where we started," Rod said.

From excavation, they expanded into utilities, paving, retaining walls, franchise utilities, and trucking. Over the next 18 years, The Rodman Companies grew into a $370 million operation that was profitable every single year. At its peak, the company employed nearly 1,600 people and was Frisco's #1 employer and #1 taxpayer for eight consecutive years.

The projects Rod's company delivered are part of the Frisco landscape residents drive through every day: infrastructure around The Star, Gaylord Parkway and Warren Parkway near the mall, development north of Stonebriar, and Roughriders Stadium — one of Rod's personal favorites.

The 2008 Crisis: Character Under Fire

When the 2008 financial crisis hit, Rod's company took roughly $70 million in losses when receivables from private developers collapsed. Rod encouraged his partner and the leadership team to move on and build something new while he stayed behind to close things down the right way.

Instead, Rod stayed and invested millions from his own pocket to make sure every creditor, every subcontractor, and every employee was paid in full. The process took years and cost him nearly everything he had built.

"I've won some and I've lost some," Rod said. "But I've never walked away from the people who counted on me."

He shared a memorable story from that period: officers showed up at the Rodman office with AR-15s because the county tax assessor had heard Rod was selling equipment and skipping town. Rod's response was simple: "I've known you forever. Never been late. Been the largest taxpayer. You're going to get your taxes."

And they did. Everyone did.

Four Priorities for Frisco

When asked what he'd put on billboards across the city, Rod outlined four clear priorities for his administration:

Truth and Transparency. Rod believes Frisco residents are frustrated by decisions made behind closed doors. He wants city business to be more open and accessible — including streaming council sessions and creating forums for real citizen input. "It's 2026. All this should be available to the people," he said. At the same time, he acknowledged that some negotiations — like economic development deals — need confidentiality until they reach the right stage.

Public Safety. Rod considers keeping residents safe to be the city's number one responsibility. He pointed to Frisco's excellent fire department, one of the best in Texas, and emphasized full support for law enforcement. "Whatever we need there, I don't think we back off that at all."

Infrastructure and Traffic. As someone who served on Frisco's Planning and Zoning Commission and helped redesign the Master Thoroughfare Plan alongside City Council and City Manager George Purefoy, Rod understands the city's infrastructure at a technical level. He noted that while Frisco's road system was designed for full buildout, a portion of the north-south and east-west thoroughfares are not complete, but the city is working fervently to complete the buildout. With cities like Prosper, Celina, and Gunter growing rapidly to the north — plus Highway 380 pushing more traffic onto the Dallas North Tollway — completing the thoroughfare plan is urgent.

He also acknowledged the management challenges ahead with Universal Studios, PGA headquarters, and FIFA World Cup events coming to the area. "We're going to maximize every opportunity we have to keep it moving."

Fiscal Responsibility. Rod will help manage the city budget to eliminate any and all unnecessary spending. His philosophy is to be a steward of taxpayers' dollars — carefully and responsibly, to the best of our ability.

"I'd love to see that just one year, we're able to cut taxes," Rod said. "And truthfully, it'll be my goal to do it. And I think we can."

No Conflicts, No Agenda

One point Rod emphasized: he has no financial conflicts of interest. He retired from heavy civil construction in 2021. He owns one piece of property in Texas — his home in Starwood. All his other holdings are in Oklahoma.

"I can focus on my job as the mayor," he said. "Do what I'm supposed to do."

He also signed the City of Frisco's code of ethics pledge — a commitment not to use the position for financial gain. Rod pointed out that he's not a politician and not a developer. He's a retired businessman who has called Frisco home for four decades and has nothing to gain from this office except the opportunity to give back.

A Legacy of Civic Service

Rod's connection to Frisco's leadership runs deep. He served several years on the Planning and Zoning Commission, where he worked directly with City Council and City Manager George Purefoy — the man Rod credits with putting his fingerprint on everything Frisco became. Together they expanded the thoroughfare plan, making Frisco's major roads much wider to accommodate full buildout.

Rod also spoke warmly about the foundational leaders who shaped Frisco: Fire Chief Mark Bokart, School Superintendent Dr. Rick Reedy, and former mayors like Bob Warren. He sees himself as carrying forward the values those leaders established — integrity, service, and stewardship of the community's trust.

What Happens Next

The Frisco mayoral election is May 2, 2026, with early voting beginning April 20. A candidate needs 51% to win outright.

In the meantime, Rod's focus is simple: meeting as many Frisco residents as possible. He shared advice from a previous mayor: anytime someone says "you've got my vote," ask them to bring ten more people who don't know you yet.

"If you can gather people — anywhere, at your home, we'll open our house — I'll come meet them," Rod said. "I've got to get to know them. They've got to get to know me."

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Want to learn more? Visit rodvilhauer.com to read Rod's platform, explore Rod's background, or sign up to volunteer. You can also donate to the campaign or add your endorsement.

Election Day is May 2, 2026. Early voting: April 20–28.