MAZZUS McHEADED TO TEXAS
Lis and Kevin Mazzu were honored at the “Concert in the Rocks” in the Lone Pine Alabama Hills last Saturday evening in recognition for all the support they provided to local schools and civic groups in the 14 years they have owned the McDonald’s Restaurant franchise in Inyo and Mono Counties.
The couple took over the franchise in 2004. Now they are letting go, having sold their local interests so they can move with their three daughters to San Antonio, Texas, where they purchased five McDonald’s restaurants.
Kevin was originally from Minnesota. He had a 20-year career with McDonald’s Corporation, working as the Marketing Officer for McDonald’s West Division, managing marketing and public relations for 4,000 restaurants and 30 advertising co-ops with an annual budget of $400 million.
Upon leaving that job, he and his wife, Lis, moved to the Eastern Sierra after purchasing the three area McDonald’s, Lone Pine, Bishop & Mammoth Lakes.
Both Kevin and Lis were very involved as board members with the Round Valley School STEP Foundation for years, and they also supported all the local public schools from Mammoth Lakes to Lone Pine by hosting fundraising McTeachers Nights. They supported and hosted the annual “Coffee with a Cop” in Bishop and Lone Pine to promoted better relations and understanding with the communities that local law enforcement officers serve. And in partnership with Heathy Communities of Southern Inyo County, the couple provided hundreds of “Breakfast with Moms and Dads” at schools in Big Pine, Independence and Lone Pine for many years.
Lis also served on the board of Healthy Communities.
Both Lis and Kevin have been recognized many times for their leadership and commitment to the Eastern Sierra. They were honored as Inyo County’s “Citizens of the Year” in 2008; Bishop City Council’s “Citizen Award” in 2010; Central California Better Business Bureau “Ethics Award” in 2011 and California District 18 “Small Business of the Year” in 2012. They were also honored by the Inyo County Superintendent of Schools with the “Community Star Award” in 2013 for their educational involvement and support.
Lis received an honor from Congressman Paul Cook in 2015 “Salute to Women: Young Leaders and Mentors” as a Mentor for the excellent work she did on behalf of youth in the community. She was a past board member of the Bishop Union High School Foundation for Excellence. Lis also participated on the Inyo County Childhood Obesity Taskforce, where she worked to promote healthy lifestyles and balanced eating for local youth. She served as a member of the Board for the Bishop Stingrays Swim Team, and for nine years helped underwrite “Kids Day” at the Tri-County fair so that thousands of children under the age of 12 could be admitted for free.
As if all the other things already mentioned wouldn’t be enough to realize the contributions the Mazzus made to the area, they also helped sponsor most of the key area events such as Mule Days, the Tri-County Fair, Alabama Hills Day and the Lone Pine Film Festival.
One area of special interest, pride, and accomplishment to Kevin Mazzu that must be mentioned was his longstanding commitment on the board of the Alabama Hills Stewardship Group, which was founded in November 2006. Thirteen years later, on March 12, The Alabama Hills, located just west of Lone Pine, was designated a National Scenic Area signing ceremony at the White House by President Donald Trump.
The Mazzus received a tremendous ovation and wishes for success from the many concertgoers in the Alabama Hills.
