HUNTSVILLEMADISON COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
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BRUCE BAERWALDE PRESIDENT
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OUR HISTORY In 1926, our founders John, Sr. (Jack) and Marvin McKibbon set out to make their community of Gainesville, Georgia, a better place by opening its very first self-service grocery store. As we celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2026, we reflect on that bold beginning—the moment that sparked a century of entrepreneurship, innovation, and growth for the McKibbon name. What started as a single Piggly Wiggly franchise quickly grew into something much larger. Just 20 years later, John (Jack) McKibbon, Jr. expanded the vision by developing the area’s first motor court, complete with a full-service restaurant. This forward-thinking approach laid the foundation for the company’s evolution, and by the 1960s, McKibbon had become one of the earliest Holiday Inn franchisees, with hotels operating throughout Georgia. In subsequent decades, hotel development and management became the heart of the business—and remain so today. Since taking the helm in the early 1990s, John McKibbon III carried the legacy forward, growing the company’s presence across the Southeastern United States through partnerships with Hilton and Marriott, while cultivating a leadership team known for exceptional service and innovation. In 2019, he brought his vision full circle with the development of Kimpton Hotel Arras in Asheville, North Carolina—an iconic project that transformed the city’s skyline and marked a new chapter for the company. Now, as we enter our second century, the next generation is leading the way. J.B. McKibbon, IV continues the family tradition of growth and innovation, completing his first development project, Hyatt House Tampa Airport Westshore, in 2021 and becoming President of McKibbon Equities in 2023. Under his leadership, this new division focuses on development, asset management, and the McKibbon Family Investment Fund— positioning the company for continued success.
Celebrating 100 years is not just about honoring our past—it’s about building our future. With a century of experience behind us and a new generation at the helm, McKibbon remains committed to evolving, innovating, and shaping the hospitality industry for the next 100 years and beyond.
OUR MILESTONES 1920s
1960s
1st Piggly Wiggly Franchise Gainesville, Georgia
Holiday Inn Franchised Hotels Georgia
1940s
1990s
1st Motor Court Property Gainesville, Georgia
1st Courtyard by Marriott Franchised Hotel Athens, Georgia
2010s 1st Kimpton Franchised Hotel Asheville, North Carolina
2020s 1st Hyatt House & Moxy Franchised Hotels Tampa, Florida & Asheville, North Carolina
1926
Gainesville, Georgia
1940s
Gainesville, Georgia
1960s
Georgia
1992
Athens, Georgia
2010s
Chicago, Illinois & Asheville, North Carolina
MCKIBBON BRANDS
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OUR PORTFOLIO
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88
23
12
22
50
Managed Hotels
Owned Hotels
Restaurants & Bars
Brands
Markets
HOTEL BRANDS
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RESTAURANT BRANDS
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OUR ASSOCIATES
3,100
2,125
50
9
4.32
ASSOCIATES
NEW HIRES IN 2025
INTERNAL PROMOTIONS
AVERAGE # OF DAYS TO HIRE NEW ASSOCIATE
TOTAL COMPANY FAVORABILITY
ORGANIZATION CHART
WHY McKIBBON? With a century of hospitality expertise, our approach shapes everything from strategic partnerships to market expansion. What sets us apart is our deep commitment to people—demonstrated through exceptional associate care, chaplain services, robust training and leadership development, and a genuine dedication to giving back to the communities we serve. Backed by a strong reputation for excellence and numerous industry awards, we take pride in the impact we make. Most importantly, our projects have played a meaningful role in transforming and reinvigorating communities across the U.S.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES Think bigger. Being an industry leader means finding better, more innovative ways to serve our partners, guests and communities.
Love your community. As hotel operators, we are not just hotel brand ambassadors— we are city ambassadors. We believe in the cities we serve. It’s a big part of why we choose to do business there.
Do the right thing. Our commitment to quality and integrity mean we’re not satisfied with good enough or “we’ll fix it later.” We invest our time, energy and resources into delivering heartfelt solutions.
Support each other. The way we treat our work family serves as the foundation for how we do business. Be good to each other, and business will be good to us.
Make a lasting impression. Above all, it’s how you are remembered that will stand the test of time. Every interaction is an opportunity to go above and beyond. Make it count.
AWARDS & HONORS Marriott Partnership Circle Award - McKibbon Hospitality, 2020, 2017 & 1995 J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence - Rada Kukrika, Courtyard Orlando Maitland, 2020 - Theresa Wilson, TownePlace Suites Pensacola, 2014 Alice S. Marriott Community Service Award - Aloft Asheville Downtown, 2019
Community Service Hotels of the Year Award - Residence Inn Macon, 2019 - TownePlace Suites Pensacola, 2013 & 2012 Opening Hotel of Year Award - Aloft Greenville Downtown, 2016 - Aloft Asheville Downtown, 2012
Marriott Continued Gold Circle Award - Residence Inn Charlottesville, 2022 & 2023 - Residence Inn Fort Myers at I-75, 2023 Silver Circle Award - Courtyard Gainesville, GA, 2025 - Residence Inn Knoxville Cedar Bluff, 2023 - SpringHill Suites Pensacola, 2023
2025 Hunter Conference Award for Excellence & Inspiration - John McKibbon 2025 Tampa Bay Business Journal Businesswoman of the Year - Lynn Prater
Aloft Hotel of the Year Award - Aloft Greenville Downtown, 2018
Wine Spectator Award of Excellence - Bargello, 2025 & 2026
Aloft General Manager of the Year Award - Aloft Jacksonville Airport, 2019 - Aloft Asheville Downtown, 2016
2024 Explore Asheville's William A.V. Cecil Tourism Leadership Award - McKibbon Hospitality
Aloft Department Leader of the Year - Jake O’Dare, Aloft Greenville, 2025
2024 Metropolitan Ministries Foundation Legacy Award - John McKibbon
Diamond General Manager of the Year Award - Courtyard Gainesville, GA - Courtyard Fort Myers at I-75, 2023 - Residence Inn Fort Myers at I-75, 2025 & 2024 - Residence Inn Tallahassee North/I-10 & Capital Circle
Aloft Talent of the Year - Gwen Lavenue, Aloft Denver North Westminster, 2024
Diamond Circle Award – AC Hotel Asheville Downtown, 2025 – Residence Inn Fort Myers at I-75, 2025
Courtyard Department Leader of the Year - Sabrina Thrasher, Courtyard Gainesville, GA, 2025
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Industry Awards
AC Family Member of the Year - Will Barrett, AC Hotel Asheville, 2024
2019 Visit Tampa Bay Gonzmart Family Tourism Ambassador of the Year - John McKibbon
ASSOCIATE CARE We truly believe that hospitality starts from within, which is why we take the associate experience as seriously as we take the guest experience. We're committed to ensuring our associates' physical, mental, financial, and spiritual wellbeing are supported through profit sharing, wellness initiatives, quarterly bonuses, and 401k match. We invest in every associate, providing continuous and targeted training, development and growth opportunities, proudly recognizing their dedication and spirit to serve others through our Associate of the Month program, internal awards, and more.
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CHAPLAINS PROGRAM In your time of need or when you just need a listening ear, someone is always there. We’ve proudly partnered with Marketplace Ministries for over 25 years to provide chaplain services in every single hotel, for every single associate, and every single guest. Our guests and associates always have access to a chaplain who is uniquely trained to support their emotional needs and challenges they may be facing .
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COMMUNITY SERVICE As much as we’ve evolved since our founding, one thing hasn’t changed: we’re still a family company, dedicated to the communities that we call home. We set the stage for charitable giving with McKibbon’s Matching Funds Program — our way of showing associates that we are as invested as they are. Through this successful program, the McKibbon Hospitality Foundation matches every single dollar earned through hotel fundraising events .
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UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS We partner with two of Florida’s leading universities – the University of South Florida (USF) and Florida International University (FIU) – to give hospitality students practical experience and mentorship as they prepare to enter the industry. Through the USF partnership, hundreds of students have completed on-the-job training across our portfolio, and several of our leaders serve as adjunct professors. Our relationship with FIU – the alma mater of our Chairman, John McKibbon – continues through alumni outreach, support for integrating technology and innovation into the curriculum, and student scholarships. VIEW USF VIDEO
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McKIBBON ONE We’re all part of ONE McKibbon family and ONE shared vision. McKibbon One helps put that vision — and how we each contribute to it — center stage. More than an annual leadership conference, McKibbon One is a time to reflect, celebrate, and plan for the future. It’s when we band together to renew our focus and commitment to our goals and objectives. Above all, McKibbon One is about realizing how one person has the power to make an impact on our entire company. VIEW OUR McKIBBON ONE VIDEO
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FOSTER DOG PROGRAM Since its inception in 2014, several of our Aloft hotels have partnered with local animal rescue organizations to foster one dog at a time, increasing each dog’s chance of finding their forever home. Through the unique program, we have proudly saved over 1,500 dogs and the number continues to grow.
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We passionately develop, own, and manage hospitality assets with a focus on operational efficiency and a genuine commitment to elevating the guest experience. As we celebrate 100 years in hospitality, we remain grounded in our legacy while continuing to innovate and shape meaningful experiences for guests and communities.
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Hospitality begins here, with each and every one of us.
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