McKibbon rehires Matthew Ram, promotes James Merrihew

McKibbon Hospitality has appointed Matthew Ram as SVP, acquisitions and promoted James Merrihew to senior asset manager as the company expands its focus to include hotel acquisitions and new development projects, in addition to third-party management.

“To help support the growth and diversification of our portfolio, we are pleased to announce the return of Matthew Ram as SVP of acquisitions and the promotion of James Merrihew to senior asset manager,” said J.B. McKibbon IV, president, McKibbon Equities. “Well-respected and connected industry leaders, Matthew and James will be instrumental in guiding our overall strategy and ensuring the performance of our newly acquired and McKibbon-owned assets.”

In his new role, Ram will be responsible for managing deal sourcing; underwriting and investment analysis; acquisitions; dispositions; asset management; transaction support; and investor relations. He returns to the company after having joined in 2019 as VP, acquisitions before taking on an SVP, acquisitions role with Peachtree Hotel Group.

Ram also served as an investment manager for the Tampa-based commercial real estate investment, development and management company Liberty Group, where he oversaw real estate investment activity, conducting investment analysis, financial planning and more. He has also held financial analyst positions with companies such as J.J. Haines and Co., Wells Fargo and The John Hopkins Hospital.

Merrihew, who joined McKibbon in 2021 as asset manager, is responsible for monitoring and assessing the overall performance of 18 McKibbon-owned hotel properties, nine restaurant concepts and 11 vacation rentals, as well as office buildings and parking decks throughout the southeastern U.S. In his new role, he is charged with analyzing revenue and management data to implement a wide range of positioning strategies aimed at ensuring each asset maximizes their potential, including the execution of capital improvements and renovations.

Prior to joining McKibbon, Merrihew held a variety of on-property hotel operations roles with White Lodging including dual assistant GM of the 422-room, dual-branded Aloft-Element Austin Downtown and GM of the Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Airport.