Culture // 2 min Read

Local Character: Marie McConnell

Written by Palmetto Bluff

Marie McConnell
Director of Member relations, Palmetto Bluff Club

Where are you from and how did you get here?

I am from Buffalo, New York—born and raised. Go Bills! My husband and I got married at Sea Pines in Hilton Head in 2012 and fell in love with the area. We decided that if we ever had the opportunity to move down here, we would figure out how to do that. So, my husband got a job in Savannah in 2019. I worked at Berkeley Hall Club in Bluffton and then started working here in 2022.

Tell me about your first trip to Palmetto Bluff.

I had heard of Palmetto Bluff and always wanted to check it out. My mom was in town, and we brought the kids and sat outside at Buffalos. It just felt magical. You feel like you’re in this dream world, looking out at the May River through the trees. I thought, Man, how do I end up here?

What goes through your mind as you drive into Palmetto Bluff?

I drop off my three boys at school and have some time to listen to a podcast and enjoy my coffee. The drive in is definitely calming. I always think about how lucky I am to be here, how lucky I am that I get to work with my team and be surrounded by awesome people. For me, that’s what it’s all about.

What’s your most marked characteristic?

Everyone always says that I’m very chill. Nothing phases me. Maybe because I have three kids and two dogs. Well, three dogs now. We just got a puppy. It’s a full boat! I think the other thing people say is that I am honest. I am direct with people, and I like to be myself. 

What is something that people don’t know about you?

I am a registered yoga teacher. I took my two-hundred-hour training during the pandemic. That’s something I am passionate about. I never thought I’d teach, but I wanted to learn about it more in-depth.

What is your favorite spot at Palmetto Bluff?

I like to head down to Moreland Landing along the water during my lunch hour. I love being on that dock and just looking out at the water. It’s quiet there, especially during the day. And I encourage my team to do the same: get out for a twenty-minute walk. We’re surrounded by all of this beauty, and it is so important to take a moment and get some fresh air. 

What inspires your work?

My main goal is to enhance the member experience. Whether it’s specific services or just a smiling face when members come in with their dog—we are focused on making sure that everyone who encounters us has the best experience possible. And I really care about my team. I love coming to work, and I think they would say the same thing, that it’s easy for them to be in good spirits and create good energy in our office.

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