Meet the Downtown Ambassadors: Your Friendly Guides to Downtown El Paso

The El Paso Downtown Ambassador Program first launched in 2016 as a seasonal initiative, designed to enhance the experience of anyone visiting our vibrant city center. The program places friendly, knowledgeable, and recognizable individuals throughout the downtown area to greet visitors, assist with directions, and provide information about the exciting happenings in the district.

While the program thrived in its early years, it was placed on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once restrictions began to lift, the El Paso Downtown Management District (DMD) eagerly sought to relaunch the Ambassador program. However, the recruitment process took longer than expected, delaying the return of these important guides.

In the winter of 2023, the DMD was finally able to bring on three dedicated team members just as the winter season was winding down. Recognizing the value the Ambassadors brought to Downtown El Paso, the DMD made the decision to expand the program to a year-round initiative, adding three more staff members to better serve the growing needs of the district.

Our Downtown Ambassadors are more than just friendly faces. They are passionate about what they do and are dedicated to helping both locals and visitors experience the best of Downtown El Paso. They make it a point to connect with local businesses, learning about their offerings so they can spread the word to everyone they meet while walking the streets. Their goal is to ensure every person who visits downtown has a fantastic experience.

Recently, we held a team meeting and asked our Ambassadors some important questions so you can get to know them better and understand why they’re so passionate about what they do. Each of them shared their personal motivations, what they love most about working in downtown, and why they decided to take on this role. Their stories are as diverse as they are inspiring, but they all have one thing in common: a deep love for Downtown El Paso and a strong desire to make every visitor’s experience unforgettable.

Our team consists of five exceptional staff members:

Ruby Mijares

Ambassador Team Lead

What inspired you to become a Downtown Ambassador?

I love visiting with people, especially when we have visitors from all over the world.
My parents met downtown in 1939, so it is a special place for me.
I enjoy learning about the history of downtown

What’s your favorite part of working in downtown El Paso?

Meeting visitors from all walks of life. Discovering new places to shop and dine. I am learning about the history of our beautiful buildings.

What’s your favorite place or hidden gem in downtown El Paso that people might not know about?

We have many wonderful places. But the two that stand out are El Paso’s Finest shopping & retail. & Jane and Jensen Vintage.
The owners are very welcoming and passionate about their work.
What’s the most memorable interaction you’ve had while helping someone in downtown?
I met a lady, and in our conversation, I mentioned she had the same name as my mother. Which made me happy, I said to her my mothers had a way of letting me know she was with me. My mother passed away in 2008. She became a bit teary-eyed and said her mother passed away a month ago. I gave her some comforting words.
We had comfort for each other.

Edith Duran

Downtown Ambassador

What inspired you to become a Downtown Ambassador?

 I love creating a warm and welcoming environment for visitors and residents, helping them feel at home, and guiding them to local treasures. Supporting local businesses and interacting with diverse people while promoting the area’s rich history and events would be incredibly rewarding.

What’s your favorite part of working in downtown El Paso?

My favorite part about working in Downtown El Paso is the vibrant atmosphere and sense of community. I love interacting with visitors and locals, sharing stories, and introducing them to the unique cultural offerings, such as art, music, and delicious food.

What’s your favorite place or hidden gem in downtown El Paso that people might not know about?

My favorite place would be San Jacinto Plaza as a historical park, it is the center of everything and brings people into the heart of downtown.
What’s the most memorable interaction you’ve had while helping someone in downtown?
My most memorable interaction would be meeting Benicio del Toro and being able to share with him the history of our San Jacinto Plaza.

Danny Tovar

Downtown Ambassador

What inspired you to become a Downtown Ambassador?

I was originally looking to volunteer downtown as I was doing at the El Paso Museum of History.  My original intent was to be more a part of the revitalization of downtown that is now in full swing.  As a native El Pasoan, I remember the sad days when they said “at 6pm the sidewalks would be rolled up and the it would become a ghost town”.
The revitalization really began when the El Paso Community Foundation saved the Plaza Theatre from becoming a parking lot in 1986.  The next major project was the construction of the Southwest University Park in 2013-2014, and now there are 4,000 to 10,000 fans coming downtown to almost 100 games from March to October each year.
I want to be a part of this excitement and being retired allowed me to get more involved.

What’s your favorite part of working in downtown El Paso?

I really enjoy meeting people and getting to know them though time.  I admire the small business owner who is taking the risk of starting a business downtown.  It is because they love the revitalization of downtown El Paso as much as I do and I want to get to know these business owners and help them out anyway that I can.  In addition, our visitors, both local and distant, are both curious and impressed on all that is happening downtown.

What’s your favorite place or hidden gem in downtown El Paso that people might not know about?

Used to be Monkey Green, but they have closed their downtown location and move to Kern Place.  I also like Barrio Luna as Sofia Rene is by herself all day (except for her dog) and I stop by just to say “Hi”.  I bring my fellow Downtown Ambassadors when I visit.
What’s the most memorable interaction you’ve had while helping someone in downtown?
Unfortunately, it was not a necessarily a happy interaction.  I had already logged out at the Placita and was headed back to my car when a woman and her daughter came up to me to ask for help.  Her husband was in jail and she wanted to visit him and this was her first time in downtown El Paso.  Giving directions from there would have been confusing to them, so I personally escorted them to the El Paso County Detention Facility.  I never asked any of the questions that were going through my mind.  All I knew is that they desperately needed help and I was there to help them.  When we arrived at the jail, they were so thankful and wished every downtown was like our downtown.

Dylan Rodriguez

Downtown Ambassador

What inspired you to become a Downtown Ambassador?

I was inspired to become an Ambassador because I like my city and I see potential in downtown. From working as an Ambassador I can see how it has grown after COVID, and I see the effort people put into their businesses. By helping people know about upcoming and current events downtown, I hope people will want to try all these businesses, whether they are new or old businesses, and see how downtown is coming along.

What’s your favorite part of working in downtown El Paso?

My favorite part about working downtown is seeing people from out of town, from the El Paso region and even from the opposite side of the world exploring El Paso and its downtown, because many people don’t know what the downtown are has to offer until they get there.

What’s your favorite place or hidden gem in downtown El Paso that people might not know about?

Two places that stood out to me were: Ghosts 915 also known as the Wigwam Museum and El Mirador Bar in the Paso del Norte Hotel. Both places are unique – the museum is something truly unique to mention, while the Mirador Bar has a really great view. Out of those two, if I had to pick one that I frequent more, it would be the Mirador.  I find myself going there more, mainly because of the view from the balconies.
What’s the most memorable interaction you’ve had while helping someone in downtown?
I remember a couple who were walking around exploring. They asked me for information about upcoming projects downtown, and they seemed really excited about everything that has happening. They talked to me for about an hour, and when they left, from what I understand, they left a good review about me to my supervisor, which they didn’t need to do. They were really nice, and I hope they’re doing well.

Sal Martinez

Downtown Ambassador

What inspired you to become a Downtown Ambassador?

I wanted to get to know my community as well as them getting know me. I decided to be an ambassador in a moment in my life when I have the urge to explore outside my bubble.

What’s your favorite part of working in downtown El Paso?

The downtown area of El Paso has such a rich tapestry of architectural aesthetics from different eras. It is a delight to be basking through the workday surrounded by art.

What’s your favorite place or hidden gem in downtown El Paso that people might not know about?

 My favorite discovery since I’ve been an ambassador is a little shop called Creations V&G on San Antonio St. I might be bias for this preference since I am a candle and soap collector and enthusiast.
What’s the most memorable interaction you’ve had while helping someone in downtown?
I met this couple that flew in from Boston. Man named Shelney and his wife Priya, they flew in and stayed at the Plaza to see a physical therapist. I told them about the city, the culture, the terrain, and the attractions.  I guess this is very memorable to me because it’s not often that I meet people that fly in from a major city to seek medical attention here, it must mean that our physical therapists are doing something right.

These Ambassadors are always eager to help. Whether you’re looking for a recommendation on where to eat, need help finding a store, or just want to learn more about an event happening in the area, they’re here to assist. You might also spot them snapping photos of visitors’ downtown adventures!

Next time you see our Ambassadors walking around, don’t hesitate to say hello, ask for recommendations, or even let them know about a special spot you’ve discovered. They are always happy to connect and ensure that your Downtown El Paso experience is memorable.

Category: Insider Blog

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