Keys to career success—customer service and educationApril 15, 2018

“I love customer service and helping people solve their problems,” said Maribel McLelland.

Her first job was working for Dollar Western Wear in the late 1990s when she was in high school. Since that time, McLelland’s career pursuits have been rather eclectic, but providing good customer service and obtaining an associate’s degree in business have been the building blocks for her career success.

McLelland graduated from Midland High School in 1999. The next four years brought about major life changes—marriage, the birth of her daughter Anaiz and then divorce. Suddenly, McLelland was a single mother with a small child. 

“I realized that in order to take care of my daughter, I needed to get an education,” explained McLelland. “I got a job working as a bank teller at West Texas National Bank and enrolled in courses at Midland College. Thankfully, my parents helped take care of Anaiz; however, with a full-time job and a pre-school daughter, I was only able to take a few courses each semester.

“It took me five years to get an associate degree. I wasn’t going to give up. I graduated from Midland College in 2008; Anaiz was 9 years old.”

McLelland said she enjoyed college much better than high school, and her grades at Midland College proved that she was also excelling in her courses. She was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international community college honor society. 

Not only had Maribel McLelland succeeded in her educational pursuits, she also had managed to work her way up the career ladder at Western National Bank to become a branch manager. Her efficiency and attention to customer service helped pave the way to her promotions.

“I loved helping the bank customers; however, also my classes at Midland College, especially the business courses taught by Sylvia Brown, helped me to excel in my career,” said McLelland. “I tried to choose as many classes as possible that Sylvia taught. She inspired me to go above and beyond. I also learned from her that it’s okay not to know it all—but, you do have to know how to figure it out.”

McLelland also credits her career success to her willingness to learn on the job, which is how she obtained her current position as a regulatory consultant for the energy industry. Using the business skills that she learned at Midland College, she landed a job working as an office manager for Joe C. Neal & Associates, an engineering firm. During her employment, she learned how to assist clients needing to complete state railroad commission compliance.

Today, McLelland works independently serving as a liaison between oilfield operators and the Texas Railroad Commission. She assists clients in a full variety of state and federal regulatory filings throughout West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.

“It’s all about customer service,” said McLelland.

McLelland and her husband Keith have been married for nine years. Keith is an independent landman, and together the two have formed their own business, Coral Reef Petroleum, Inc.

“Keith is the landman, and I’m the regulatory consultant,” explained Maribel. “It’s a perfect partnership.”

It’s not all work, however, for Maribel and Keith. Their blended family consists of Maribel’s daughter Anaiz, who is now 18, and Keith’s two sons, Kelan, 26, and Kade, 24. Kelan is a graduate of Midland College’s Emergency Medical Services program and works at a clinic in Odessa. Kade was recently honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps. The family are all certified scuba divers, and recent dive trips include Grand Cayman; the Bahamas; Kauai, Hawaii; and Aruba.

Maribel and Keith also are pastors of The Bridge ministry in Midland. As such, they host a congregation consisting of 20 to 30 people each Friday evening in their home. Maribel explained that the ministry includes a great deal of deliverance ministry involving counseling people with addictions. The couple also help ministries internationally in Africa, Honduras, Cuba and Thailand.

“I’ve been involved with ministry in some way or another since I was 19,” said McLelland. “Throughout my ministry, I’ve learned to embrace confrontation—that’s what makes us grow. 

“My parents are from Mexico and came here to make a better life for their family. It wasn’t always easy for them. Being immigrants, they had to face many instances of confrontation. However, they worked hard and succeeded. They taught my three sisters and me to do the same. 

“Confront life’s challenges, turn them into opportunities and help others along the way—that’s my motto for being happy and successful.”