Meet a Roadrunner: UTSA alumnus Ron McKenzie promotes the ultimate theme park experience
Proud UTSA alumnus Ron McKenzie is a longtime member of the Six Flags family.
(May 31, 2017) -- Meet Ron McKenzie '89. This UTSA alumnus is creating thrilling experiences for the young and young at heart as the director of marketing at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
Born and raised in San Antonio, McKenzie grew up on the northeast side of town and graduated from Judson High School. As a high school student, part-time jobs helped him learn the value of a college education and hard work. He was determined to earn his college degree at a top-tier university.
He enrolled at UTSA in 1984. While he attended, he commuted 45 minutes each day from Universal City. When he wasn't taking classes, he worked as a cashier at H-E-B, where he met his wife, who is also a UTSA alumna.
He fondly recalls taking many marketing and business courses that not only taught him to be successful academically, but to think outside the box. The projects he worked on during his time at UTSA required a huge amount of creativity and innovation – two things that he's carried with him throughout his career.
"UTSA was a great opportunity for me. It let me start my education while continuing to work. It was the right place for me at that time in my life."
McKenzie received his Bachelor's of Business in Management with a concentration in Marketing in 1989. Shortly after graduating, he landed a sales position at Fiesta Texas, then a newly opened theme park just "down the road" from the UTSA Main Campus. With a background mostly in the grocery business, he leaned on his UTSA courses to learn the theme park business from the ground up.
Since McKenzie's hire by Six Flags, he's worked his way up through the company. He spent two years at Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston and 17 years at Six Flags St. Louis before finding his way back to his hometown last October.
"I'm thrilled to be back home in San Antonio at the park where my whole career started," he said.
As the director of marketing, McKenzie oversees the advertising, promotions, public relations, sales and media strategy for the park.
"I truly love my job. Every day when we open the gates, we have the opportunity to create meaningful memories for families. There's no greater feeling."
He's also impressed by the growth of UTSA.
"The growth of the city and the university is amazing," McKenzie said. "Back in the day, the commute to campus looked a lot different. Seeing UTSA with a vibrant campus life, dorms and a collegiate football team – it's super awesome."
He added, "It's very exciting for me to drive by campus and see those huge UTSA signs out front. It makes me proud to be a Roadrunner."
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