Frances Marcou
Realtor
The Marcou Team at RE/MAX Choice Properties
Frances (Fran) Marcou began her career in Mobile, Alabama, in the mid-1980s. Initially, she worked in hotel and hospitality services, traveling throughout Florida and Louisiana. However, she soon became interested in residential real estate.
“I have always enjoyed meeting and helping people, and I thought that becoming a realtor would help me do both,” Fran says. “So I took the plunge, got my license and jumped into real estate.”
As Fran’s career prospered, it led her on a multistate journey before finally landing her in Hendersonville in 2004. Since then, she has become one of the most successful realtors in the community.
Despite her success, Fran remains passionate about helping people through real estate.
"I love to take people through the real estate journey,” she says. “It is very satisfying to help my customers by providing the skills, education and guidance that help them achieve their home ownership dreams with minimal disruption and stress.”
Although her work schedule is demanding, Fran still finds time to be active in the community. She is a member of several organizations, including the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Hendersonville Morning Rotary Club, the Sumner County Council of Realtors and the Greater Nashville Chamber of Realtors. She is also involved with several local events, including a Taste of Hendersonville, Sumner Fest and the Hometown Heroes Festival.
In her free time, Fran and her husband, Ron, are active boaters. They love to take their boat out on Old Hickory Lake and entertain their family and friends.
“People do not care how much you know about anything until they know how much you care about them.”
Jennifer Flanagan
Executive Director
Salvus Center, Inc.
As a veteran of both the business and nonprofit segments, Jennifer Flanagan understands what it takes to generate profits as well as to raise funds. She also knows how to get the two sectors to work together to build stronger communities.
“Corporate social responsibility is important to most companies,” Jennifer says. “My years as a for-profit insider taught me how to craft strategies that create win-win situations for businesses and nonprofits.”
After beginning her career in the corporate world, Jennifer transitioned to the nonprofit realm by joining Sumner Hospice in 2006. In the succeeding years, she held positions of ever-increasing responsibility with several agencies, including the American Heart Association, the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, United Way of Sumner County and Rock Castle. Since 2017, she has served as the president/CEO of Salvus Center, Inc., a faith-based nonprofit agency that provides primary health care services to the working uninsured.
“Time, talent and treasures are all that we have to give,” Jennifer says. “My job is to help donors and volunteers find the right opportunities to share their gifts with others.”
Despite her commitment to Salvus, Jennifer still finds time to participate in a variety of community organizations. She is a member of the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Middle Tennessee and the Leadership Sumner Alumni Association. She also serves on several boards, including the Tennessee Charitable Care Network, Electronic Recycling Systems and Friends of the Gallatin Library.
In her downtime, Jennifer likes spending time with her family. She also enjoys literature, arts events, vacationing in the mountains and sailing.
“We often hear the adage that we need to surround ourselves with people of like minds. I disagree with this notion. I think that instead, we need to surround ourselves with people of like integrity and purpose of intent. Diversity of ideas leads to healthy conversation, discourse and growth.”
Debrah K. Frizzell
Attorney and Rule 31 Mediator
Frizzell & Frizzell, PLLC
As a leading attorney, Debrah Frizzell has dedicated her professional practice to resolving legal issues related to families, including divorce, custody, child support, parental rights, adoption and probate.
Becoming a lawyer was not Debrah’s original goal. After finishing her undergraduate degree, she began her career as an elementary school teacher. A few years later, she opened a daycare center in Hendersonville, which she operated until 1986.
After a couple of years, Debrah decided to return to college with the goal of becoming a guidance counselor. However, after taking a few classes, she realized that counseling was not for her.
Subsequently, she realized that a career in law offered her the type of active problem resolution she was seeking. As a result, she enrolled in the Nashville School of Law where she spent her nights studying jurisprudence and her days running her daycare center. After graduating in 1986, she began her law practice as a sole practitioner. In 2008, she expanded her practice to include her husband, Terry, and her daughter, Samantha.
Over the years, Debrah has been involved with a variety of community organizations, including the Sumner County Bar Association, the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Maple Row Professional Association and the Teen Court. She also teaches a weekly class for young children at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville.
When not working, Debrah likes to participate in creative activities. She particularly enjoys home decorating projects, refinishing furniture, gardening and sewing.
“Life is full of surprises, some good, some not so good. The important thing is how we deal with them.”
Lynda Evjen
Founding Member and Owner, OsteoStrong
HolidayFest
If you attend community events in Hendersonville, then you have certainly met Lynda Evjen. As an actor, entrepreneur and community activist, Lynda is one of the most visible figures in the City by the Lake.
Lynda began her career in California, teaching theater and acting in local productions and commercials. After several years, she and her husband, David, decided to move to Hendersonville to continue their careers.
Initially, Lynda found the transition and cultural change to be a challenge.
“At first, everything seemed strange to me,” Lynda says. “I felt alone since most of my friends were still in California.”
However, Lynda soon recalled a bit of advice from her mother that would change her life.
“She gave me a challenge,” Lynda recalls. “She asked me if I was going to be a host or a guest. That was her way of saying that I could either sit around and sulk, or I could choose to get out and meet people.”
From that point forward, Lynda made it her mission to get involved in her community and to reach out to area newcomers to help make them feel welcome.
Today, Lynda is involved in a variety of professional and community activities in the area, including serving as president of the Newcomers & Community Club of Sumner County and the Nashville Chapter of Women in Film and Television. She also helps coordinate several holiday-themed events, including the Hendersonville Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Hendersonville Christmas Parade.
In her leisure time, Lynda enjoys attending movies, music events and dining out.
“You have to decide what you want to do and be. You have to decide to be happy.”