Romy Murphy keeps Pink Jeeps rolling at the Grand Canyon.
Now, claiming two titles, general manager of Pink Jeep Tours Grand Canyon and president of the Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce, Murphy says working at Phantom Ranch taught her some good lessons.
“Besides being an amazing place to work, I learned a lot of great stuff at Phantom Ranch as kitchen manager,” said Murphy. “Living with the people you work with makes you a better person. You had to get along and if you didn’t, you’d have to figure out how to avoid each other, which is impossible. So, you learn to get along.”
Located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Phantom Ranch sits alongside Bright Angel Creek and is the only lodging inside the canyon. About 20 or fewer employees work at the ranch.
Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Murphy worked as pastry chef at El Tovar for two summers. One of her fondest memories was working a full shift and after riding her bike to the South Kaibab Trailhead, hiking down to Phantom Ranch to take a swim and then hike back up. “I was a young puppy then; it took two-and-a-half hours to get down and about the same to hike out.”
After two summers, Murphy left the Grand Canyon and headed back home to work in the food industry. “My brother was in culinary school, so he helped me snag a few jobs. I worked at the Charles Hotel. When the pastry chef left to start a catering company, I followed him.”
During what she calls her “adventure years,” Murphy found her way back to Arizona, after stops in Florida and Salt Lake City. She found work at Biff’s Bagels (now in Flagstaff, then in Prescott) and then became kitchen manager at Mile High Grill (now Clinkscale) in Jerome.
Today, she heads up Grand Canyon Pink Jeep Tours, where co-workers rave about her. “I’ve worked for Grand Canyon Pink Jeep Tours for over two years and she’s the best boss I’ve ever had,” said Customer Service Supervisor Ryann Barron. “She likes to get her hands in as much as she can and always makes sure everyone is taken care of. Not only here, but around Tusayan as well. I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of the Pink Jeep community.”
One of Murphy’s favorite parts of her job is training and hiring guides. “It’s so much fun and I love developing our guides to help them exceed our guests’ expectations. Some of our guides have developed connections with our guests and become lifelong friends with them. Our guides create memories worth repeating.”
Murphy also enjoyed participating in the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim trash pickup, which she’s been involved in for three years. “We pick up about six pounds of trash per day hiking from the North Rim to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.”
Former President of Pink Jeep Tours Grand Canyon Tim Miller says that Murphy brought genuine passion and compassion into her work and personal life. “Romy is a real champion for the Grand Canyon and it shows in all she has done there. She is completely devoted to her work and very knowledgeable about the area. A true leader. And, oh, what a great chef.” FBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN
Congratulations Romy! All of Holyoke is so proud of you! I am so happy to read about all of your accomplishments, bravo!
Tina Watts, Lequin
I knew Romy from grammer thru high school and we lived in the same duplex for a couple of years. Even though she was 2 years younger I could see in her a person admired and respected by those in our circle of friends. I remember being jealous of how so many people looked up to her and it looked so effortless. I tried to be like her though she probably never knew that I was so proud of being her friend and used her friendship to elevate my own status. Romy I’m so proud of you and the person you turned out to be. Thanks for the memories!
It was great to read your story in the area of the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is for me a sacred place. I have been there many times and each time is different and more magical. My dream is to spend the rest of my life in this area. If you have room for another good worker, please let me know. For I’ll drop whatever I’m doing just to come join your crew.