Ana María Rodríguez García: At home with Casago since the beginning

The bright yellow buildings of Princesa de Peñasco have brightened Sandy Beach in Rocky Point for more than 20 years. Ana María Rodríguez García shines just as warmly, beaming with pride as she shares her story as one of Casago’s very first housekeepers. Colleagues at Princesa affectionately call her “the real OG.”

“Welcome to my home—bienvenida a mi casa,” Ana María says with a smile as she opens the door to one of her favorite one-bedroom condos. From its central spot, she enjoys a perfect view of the sprawling complex she knows inside and out.

“It’s not really mine, but I treat it like it is,” she explains. “I’m the eyes for the owners. I know every detail—exactly how it should look for guests and precisely how each owner likes things arranged.”

Sentimental by nature, Ana María has stayed right here since day one. “This is where I started, and this is where I want to stay,” she says. “I spend more time in these condos than in my own home, and I’ve done so for nearly 25 years. Princesa feels like home to me, even though Casago has offered me opportunities at other complexes.”

Ana María specifically chose this condo for our conversation—her comfort zone in the heart of the area she knows best. At 61, and six years after becoming a widow, she remains fiercely dedicated. She has three adult children, all living in Puerto Peñasco, and wears her “Independent Housekeeper” Casago badge with quiet pride. She is honored to be known as the company’s first housekeeper.

Ana María Rodríguez García: From Opportunity to Legacy

More than four decades ago, Ana María moved from Culiacán to Puerto Peñasco seeking new beginnings, arriving with her six-month-old daughter. She later connected with Xochitl at kindergarten drop-off and asked if she needed an assistant for her cleaning work.

About a month later, the call came. Ana María’s first day at Las Conchas left her with a fever—the sea breeze and ocean air felt so different from cleaning at home. She joined Xochitl’s crew, working for Cyndi’s Beach Rentals, which managed a handful of homes at the time.

They cleaned across Playa Encanto, Miramar, El Mirador, and more. After a few years, Cyndi entrusted Ana María with her own units, including two condos at Princesa de Peñasco—her starting point.

The First Team

When Cyndi decided to sell the business after her husband’s passing, she introduced the team to Steve Schwab, a young American who didn’t yet speak Spanish. “She asked us to show him the houses,” Ana María recalls. Steve arrived in his red Dakota pickup, bought them sodas and chips, and they toured the properties together. He ended up acquiring the homes.

At that moment, the core team was small: Xochitl, Ana María, and maintenance technician Isaias (whose photo still hangs in the Casago office alongside Ana María’s and others). When Cyndi stepped away, Steve rehired them all. Ana María proudly notes she was his first housekeeper.

Watching Casago Grow

From the familiar embrace of Princesa, Ana María has witnessed Casago’s growth firsthand. She watched Steve knock on doors, build relationships with owners, and steadily expand—starting with those first two condos and growing to many more across the complex and beyond. Princesa remains the heart of it all for the longest-serving team members.

She fondly remembers early days when parking rules meant leaving her car outside. Over time, she has cared for more than 20 condos here. Through challenges like economic shifts and the pandemic, her gratitude shines: “I feel pure gratitude for this company—they keep moving forward.”

Nurturing Owners & Guests

Ana María brings deep care to every condo, knowing exactly what each owner expects. On quieter days, she double-checks units to ensure everything feels just right. She has witnessed countless guest moments—beach weddings, joyful celebrations, and families decorating with balloons—creating far more happy memories than difficult ones.

One story stands out: an older couple preparing for their beach wedding. The bride showed Ana María her dress and shared with excitement that this was her first marriage, even later in life. “It was beautiful,” Ana María remembers warmly.

Ana María Rodríguez García: Casago Family

To Ana María, the housekeepers aren’t just coworkers—they’re family. “We’ve shared many years, tough times, and support for one another. Family is from the heart.”

Her own son has assisted her for over 12 years, handling everything except making beds—a detail that makes her chuckle. Dressed in her crisp uniform and hairnet, with her Casago badge pinned on, she still draws energy from the happy guests around her.

“I see their smiles and it inspires me—it’s contagious,” she says. “I love chatting with people.” Returning guests often spot her and exclaim, “You’re still here!” She replies with pride: “Yes, I’m still here, and I hope to keep going. I’m productive and eager to work. If I could, I’d be here every day.”

As she walked me to the elevator from her favorite Princesa condo, Casago’s longest-active housekeeper left me with one last thought: “I love my job. I love meeting people. Steve came and changed so many lives.”