When Charlie and Phyllis arrived in Las Vegas in 1958, they had only the clothes on their backs. Through determination, perseverance, and hard work they built the largest transportation company in Nevada. During their lifetimes, the Friases were deeply committed to philanthropy and donated millions of dollars back to the adopted community they so loved.
Charlie passed in 2006, and Phyllis in 2016, but their legacy lives on through their charitable trust. The mission of the Charles and Phyllis M. Frias Charitable Trust, as envisioned by Charles and Phyllis Frias, is to support southern Nevada’s children, educational needs, and the less fortunate.
Since 2018, in partnership with some of southern Nevada’s elite not for profits, more than $23 million has been distributed to Frias worthy recipients in Clark, Nye, Lincoln and Esmeralda counties.
One such program, the unique Frias Legacy $100,000 Four Year Debt Free College Scholarship Program, was established in 2022 to enable high school seniors who had experienced some life changing obstacle beyond their control to reassess their hopes and then envision the dream of attending the college or university of their choice. As of 2025, 60 southern Nevada high school students now have the opportunity to soar on a skyward trajectory.
Charlie and Phyllis were a dynamic couple who made a significant impact on southern Nevada like few have ever done or ever will.
