DINING
Hello Forest Highlands,
WELCOME OUR NEW CATERING AND EVENTS
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to our wonderful membership. My name is Tanner McNeese and I am starting my 1st season as the Catering and Events Manager, however I am continuing into my 6th season with Forest Highlands. I was originally hired in April of 2019 as a valet for our Canyon clubhouse, right after I graduated from Coconino High School. I am a fourth generation Flagstaff local and am very proud to call this beautiful mountain town my home. Both of my parents graduated from NAU where my Dad went on to teach at Coconino High School for 25 years before recently retiring. My Mom went onto work at Flagstaff Medical Center for 26 years before her current job with NAU. My sister graduated from Arizona State University with a Masters of Sports Law and Business and currently works for the Phoenix Suns. After graduation, I worked the 2019 season before leaving to attend the University of Arizona to obtain a degree in Psychology. However, COVID-19 occurred during my freshman year, and it resulted in me moving back to Flagstaff, while still attending online classes at U of A. I continued to work each season at Forest Highlands and started to grow a deep interest in the Hospitality Industry. At the start of my 3rd season, I moved into our Catering department to assist with the various food outlets we provided during the COVID season. The moment I started working in Catering and Events, I knew it was the industry that I needed to be a part of, and it was the educational degree I wanted to achieve. At the time, the University of Arizona did not offer a hospitality degree, which is when I then made my decision to transfer to Northern Arizona University and obtain my HRM degree. After coming back home and before starting my fourth season, I went to Mark and told him about my interest in the Food & Beverage internship program. After various interviews and discussions, I became the Intern for the 2022 season and am forever grateful for the opportunity. If I wasn’t already confident in my choice to pursue a career in this industry, the experience and knowledge I gained after my completing my internship with Forest Highlands only further reassured my choice.
MANAGER; TANNER MCNEESE
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VOICE IN THE PINES • JULY 2024
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