Meet Mary Ellen - Tanque Verde Ranch's Director of Sales

Over the last decade Tanque Verde Ranch has taken in numerous awards from Best of Weddings—The Knot to Couple's Choice Award—Wedding Wire, Best Banquet Facilities—Arizona Daily Star, and our most significant achievement being Top Resort in Texas & The Southwest – #1 in 2016 and #2 in 2018 by Readers Choice Awards—Conde Nast Traveler. With the hard work and dedication of our Director of Sales, Mary Ellen and her team, it's easy to say that without them, Tanque Verde Ranch wouldn't be as successful as it is today. 2018 was also a big year for Mary Ellen as she was named Manager of the Year––Tanque Verde Ranch.

Just short of six years Mary Ellen has been a considerable contributor to Tanque Verde Ranch team. Starting as the Catering Sales Manager, Mary Ellen has built her way up to the Director of Sales at the Ranch. Mary Ellen is in charge of directing, coordinating, sales efforts, follow-ups, growing accounts, generating new business, and training and supervising Sales Managers, Administrators, and staff in the Catering and Sales field—all while providing clients with exceptional customer service.

Mary Ellen has worked closely with Sarah Lee, Tanque Verde Ranch's Sales Manager. Sarah first started working with Mary Ellen when she came to the Ranch 4 years ago. Mary Ellen trained in Sarah, and ever since, the team they have become together has been remarkable.

"From the moment I trained in Sarah, I knew we'd make a great team, and 4 years later we are stronger than ever." Mary Ellen said, "I have Sarah to Thank for all the awards and recognition for the last couple of years. I couldn't have done it without her."

You can see reviews from guests for both Mary Ellen and Sarah on The Knot and Wedding Wire.

"From the moment that I spoke with Mary Ellen on the phone to talk about availability and pricing to the thoughtful touches they incorporated into our wedding day (i.e. chips and salsa waiting for us in the van that drove us to sunset pictures, champagne and rose petals waiting for us in our honeymoon suite), the ranch and its staff amazed us with their hospitality and attention to detail..." a customer review from The Knot.

"...Third and most importantly, you get Mary Ellen McBee and her team. She is the Director of Sales at the ranch, and she will go above and beyond and then some. Her professionalism is outstanding and will treat your wedding as if it was her own. Her execution is impeccable, and she has a solution for everything your bridezilla's heart desires," a customer review from The Wedding Wire.

Mary Ellen loves working at the Tanque Verde Ranch and enjoys meeting her new clients even more. Seeing their first expressions when they tour the Ranch is something Mary Ellen looks forward to every time she does a tour. "There is so much awe and excitement in potential clients when they see the property and learn of its history," said Mary Ellen. "Tanque Verde Ranch offers the ability to step back into the old west that provides the perfect setting for any gathering with our up-to-date modern amenities."

Originally Mary Ellen is from Bourne, Massachusetts—the town that spans across both sides of Cape Cod. Lucky for Mary Ellen, she lived on Cape Cod. The town of Bourne, MA is a historic city that is about 60 miles from Boston. Mary Ellen ended up traveling the world as her father was in the military and retired in Tucson, Arizona with her family. Her journey then took her to Turkey for two and a half years. Turkey is where she found herself atop a camel riding the dunes. After the Turkey trek, she found herself back home with her family in Tucson; this is where she has been since. Before starting at the Ranch, she has had an abundance of hospitality experience. She first started working as a banquet server and then moved into the Convention Services role with Westin Hotels for 12 years. After that, she was the General Manager at two different restaurants. It was in this position she realized she wanted to move back into the event and planning industry. 

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Aside from the joys of work, you can find Mary Ellen in her free time enjoying the outdoors, traveling, shooting, horseback riding, and vacationing back to her home town when possible. Mary Ellen handles the desert heat waves well, as her high school sweetheart husband of 36 years is a drafting engineer for one of the top heating and cooling companies in Tucson. However, Mary Ellen continues her hobbies early in the day and late in the evenings as this is the best time to experience the outdoors when it is so hot. When the time comes to retire, Mary Ellen, her husband, Billy, and their two dogs, Bo and Abby, plan to continue their traveling days and see the world.

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As Mary Ellen proceeds her time at the Tanque Verde Ranch, she continues to take challenges and embrace them, creating a whole next level experience for her clients. Mary Ellen and her team are incredibly excited for their new center, The Barn; a 13,400 square foot meeting and event venue overlooking the rolling mountains and saguaro cacti. Coming in November 2019 the sales team can expect to bring in an abundance of new meetings and weddings clientele in search of a vibrant desert experience.

"I continue to be challenged regularly at the ranch as we are always creating new events, bringing in new groups, and expanding on our property such as The Barn," Mary Ellen said. "It is the clients and their experiences that keep me confident in knowing that Tanque Verde Ranch will be the place I continue to grow."

Time and time again Mary Ellen and her team exceed client expectations and rave about their experiences with their weddings and events that occur at the Ranch. We can be confident for what the future holds while Mary Ellen continues to make strides in building on her foundations.

Tanque Verde Ranch wants to say 'Thank You' to Mary Ellen as you have made Tanque Verde Ranch the event and wedding destination of Tucson. It takes a real leader to do what you do and continue to exceed expectations. Thanks from all of us at Tanque Verde!