USA, Germantown, Tennessee. June 27, 2024

Germantown, TN- based McNeill Hotel Company (MHC) and McNeill Investment Group (MIG) today announced the establishment of the Mark A. Ricketts Memorial Scholarship at The University of Memphis Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality & Resort Management. Born in Arkansas, but raised in Memphis from the age of two, Kemmons Wilson was the founder of the hotel chain Holiday Inn in the 1950s and other business enterprises.

Dedicated to the memory of Mark Ricketts, who co-founded McNeill Hotel Company in 2014 with Phillip H. McNeill, Jr., the scholarship will aid at least one undergraduate student, beginning in 2025, committed to a career in hospitality. A courageous and most loved leader, Ricketts passed away on November 2, 2022, after a brave battle with ALS.

Working with the hospitality school, the scholarship was established through the devoted efforts of Brent McDowell, MIG Executive Vice President, Business Development; and Rick West, long-time friend of Mark Ricketts and VP Sales/Partner at hospitality consultant Commercial Green Solutions.

"Mark was a lifelong partner and friend, as well as an exceptional, inspirational leader. He believed in empowering all people in our industry and society. In his memory, we hope this scholarship contributes to the next generation of hospitality leaders," said Phillip H. McNeill, Jr., Executive Chairman of McNeill Investment Group, LLC and of McNeill Hotel Company, LLC.

"I never remember him not being kind. Anyone with whom he ever came in contact was better for having known him," West said. "He would be humbled and thrilled by this scholarship in his memory. He loved the hotel industry and never tired of trying to better it through a unique mix of high-level experience and openness to change. An amazing hotelier, but a better man."

For more information about the Mark A. Ricketts Memorial Scholarship at the University of Memphis Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality & Resort Management, including contributing to the scholarship's endowment, please contact Brent McDowell via email at [email protected]

More about Mark A. Ricketts

To those who knew him, as a second-generation hotelier, Mark seemed born to a career in hospitality, with his personal and professional lives driven by a genuine sense of faith and devotion to the service of others. He was a mentor, philanthropist, and friend who was able to bring a sense of joy to everyday life.

An exceptional leader, Mark understood intrinsically what bonds people together with shared values and goals and inspired them to those ends, while being a champion for diversity and inclusivity in the hospitality industry.

McNeill Hotel Company was fortunate to have Mark Ricketts serve as President and COO since a Founding Principal until June of 2022. Mark then served as Chief Culture Officer until his passing in late 2022. Prior to joining McNeill Hotel Company, Mark spent seven years serving as Vice President in the Realty Management Division for Goldman Sachs in Irving, Texas. In his capacity, Ricketts provided hotel asset management oversight for a portfolio of more than 300 properties, spanning 10 brands, and 27 flags.

Overall, Mark spent more than 35 years in the hotel industry. He previously worked as Vice President of Asset Management for Equity Inns, Inc., a publicly traded Hotel REIT based in Germantown, Tennessee; and as Vice President of Hotel Operations for Memphis, Tennessee based Master Hospitality Services.

Many have heard him say "I live to serve" in response to a need or task. His ability to make every associate, regardless of title, feel seen and valued was such a beautiful gift. Mark believed each person made a difference within MHC and had a sign hung in each hotel's employee breakroom, "Thank you for making a difference today." Mark led the company to become one of the top 50 hotel companies in the U.S.