Partner Spotlight: Head of Security at Montreux Mary McDonald

Welcome to our monthly Partner Spotlight! Where would we be without our partners in the community? They are just one of the many reasons that Reno-Tahoe is such a special place to live.

As head of Montreux Security, Mary McDonald and her team are oftentimes the first impressions that our clients have entering through the gates. The feedback that they receive is nothing short of wonderful! We sat down with Mary to learn a little bit more about her.

Your experience in security is extensive. What brought you out to Nevada?

“I had 25 years of experience at the St. Petersburg, FL Police Department, retiring at the rank of Major.  I held Patrol, Patrol Sgt., Patrol Lt., Patrol Major, Training Major, Investigations Sex Crimes Detective and Major, Youth Services Sgt., Lt. Commander in charge of K-9, Marine, Special Investigations, Crime Prevention, Marketing and Public Information positions. I am also a graduate of a 3-month school at the Quantico VA, called the FBINA, which is at the FBI academy and all the instructors are FBI Agents.

I ended up in Reno after attending a management school in Boston, taught by Harvard Professors.  The school was a 3-week intensive management school called the Senior Management Institute for Police.  My husband, who was a Lt. with Reno PD sat next to me for the training.  We commuted back and forth for about a year and a half during which time we got married. I made my retirement date and moved here to be with my now husband.  I have lived here since 2006.”

What is the best part of living in the Reno area?

“The best part of living in the Reno area is the outdoors. I did not know anyone when I first moved here, and my husband was still working. Each day, I would load up my dogs and head to the trails in Galena. Those trails, just across the street from Montreux, were a bit of heaven for me. I was used to flat land and gators; here I could hike for miles and have views and no gators to worry about with my dogs. Our blue skies here are also something you cannot see in any other part of the world. I love travelling, but always looked forward to getting back to our gorgeous vistas and those blue skies.”

What do you like most about your job?

“What’s not to like about my job? Montreux is the most amazing community I have ever seen. It is situated in the center of nature at its finest glory. We have "critters", that many have never experienced up close, here daily. How many other people can look out their office window and see a bear romping in sprinklers having a ball? The residents of Montreux are a special breed too. Our residents are a very welcoming group and they also treat Security as a true partner. The Club, Welcome Center, and HOA all work in unison to make Montreux the most unique and charming enclave that it is. The Security Staff here is a dream to work with. Each one of them is unique and approaches their job in their own way, but each has the positive results we strive for. We all take our job seriously when it comes to keeping non-invited guests out, another aspect of the job I enjoy. I like that our residents have a warm welcome when they come through the gate and peace of mind once they come in. With all this said, and some I did not say, I do not like my job, I LOVE my job.”

What activities do you enjoy in your spare time?

“I am a former volunteer at the Galena Creek Visitor’s Center. Right now, my other activities are hiking, walking, kayaking, cooking, gardening, travelling, dining out, and reading my favorite newspaper, the Wall Street Journal.”

Thank you for sharing more about yourself with us, Mary! And to our readers, we will post a different Partner Spotlight each month so be sure to check back in.