On October 26 and 28, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Arizona Chapter, held their annual gala events in Tucson and Phoenix, respectively. During the events, Ross and Patty McCallister, owners of MC Companies, were honored with the Breath of Life award for their philanthropy and support of Cystic Fibrosis. The events raised a total of $459,000 towards CF efforts. Ross and Patty have been strong supporters of Cystic Fibrosis in Arizona for many years.
Ross and Patty first met in 1971 as college freshmen at New Mexico State University. They got married in 1974 and have two daughters, Amanda and Anna. In 1983, they moved to Tucson, AZ, and established The McCallister Company, a real estate development and management firm that owns and manages multifamily investments across Southern Arizona. Alongside their business, they actively participated in school events, sporting events, Girl Scout meetings, and church.
In 2001, they joined forces with Ken McElroy to create MC Companies, a merger that expanded their business to three states and nine cities. They now manage 7,500 apartment units and employ over 280 people.
Over the years, Patty and Ross welcomed their daughters’ families into their lives, including Amanda’s husband Tom and their son Mac, and Anna’s husband Kevin and their daughters Jolene and Cecilia. In 2007, Jolene was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was six months old. In 2012, Cecilia was diagnosed with the same condition at birth. Their diagnoses prompted Patty and Ross to focus their fundraising efforts towards the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a disease they had never heard of before Jolene’s diagnosis.
As the business grew, so did their efforts in community service. One of MC Companies’ Core Values is “Be Giving.” The MC Companies “Sharing the Good Life Foundation” was created to further that Core Value. Together with their partners and employees, they have volunteered thousands of hours and raised over $1 million towards finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Blessed with giving hearts, Patty and Ross also fundraise for Autism Awareness, New Mexico State University First Time College Student Scholarships, University of Arizona College of Nursing Scholarships, and various local and regional charities.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation funds research and drug development, partners with the CF community, and advances high-quality care to cure cystic fibrosis and improve quality of life for those diagnosed.
“Though they may not actively seek publicity, their remarkable impact on our work in Arizona and across the country has not gone unnoticed, leading the community to earnestly request a celebration of their achievements,” said Charles Colmark, Area Director for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, on recognizing The McCallisters.
