Namesakes

Charles Frias was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1922. As a young man, he worked alongside his father and grandmother as a delivery boy in the family business. He graduated from Breckenridge High School and then joined the Navy. After being honorably discharged, he returned to San Antonio, Texas and married his wife, Phyllis.

In 1958, the couple moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. He worked at Nellis Air Force Base as a civilian employee until he decided to enter into the business of transportation.

He began working as a cab driver for the Union Cab Company. In 1962, Mr. Frias purchased the Union Cab Company, which has grown to become one of the largest transportation companies in Nevada. In addition to the cab company, Mr. and Mrs. Frias are the owners of numerous business and commercial properties throughout the country.

Mr. and Mrs. Frias are successful business people whose reputations for honesty and integrity are well known in the business community. Because he is a man of action and few words, his support to the community is not well known to the public. He is well respected by citizens who are active in public service and are aware of his humanitarianism and philanthropic contributions to numerous groups and organizations throughout Southern Nevada. Mr. Frias is known for being a confident, responsible man. He has a strong work ethic, a pioneering spirit, and a sense of civic responsibility.

One of Charles and Phyllis Frias greatest beliefs is for every child to have the opportunity to obtain a quality education. Over the years, Mr. Frias and his wife have established several scholarships and funded several programs for students in the education system. Charles and Phyllis Frias have made it possible for many children to attend college through educational scholarships. They established the Phyllis Frias Environmental Studies Scholarship at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Mr. and Mrs. Frias have sent school bands to participate in events in Washington, D.C., have purchased buses for the Virgin Valley High School, and have purchased jackets for the football team.

Mr. and Mrs. Frias are members of the Mesquite, Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas Chambers of Commerce. He is also a member of the Nevada Restaurant Association and the Latin Chamber of Commerce. In 1996, he received the Entrepreneur Award from the Latin Chamber of Commerce. He has received a host of awards from various organizations, including the Metropolitan Police Department, the Republican Presidential Task Force, and the National Football Foundation.

Mr. and Mrs. Frias have not only donated to educational facilities, but to a wide range of other organizations such as the Mesquite Arts Council, Spring Valley Little League, American Lung Association, Las Vegas Rescue Mission, NFL Collegiate 49`ers, and the Clark County Firefighters Christmas Fund. Former President Ronald Reagan has honored Mr. Frias. Sheriff Jerry Keller has shown his appreciation to Mr. Frias for his outstanding support and services to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Senator Harry Reid has identified Mr. Frias as a community leader who is eager to help people, especially children in need.