Rockbridge co-founder and CEO James ’Jim’ Merkel has over two decades of experience building and leading successful hospitality, investment, and operating brands. Jim has always focused on creating great teams while providing a vision for how to grow, lead, and identify opportunities for success in what is an ever-evolving industry landscape.

Under Jim’s steady hand, Rockbridge continues to evolve and grow. Rockbridge has raised eight hospitality-focused funds and executed over 290 hotel investments in 39 states with transactions totaling over $10 Billion. Through Jim’s vision, Rockbridge develops, designs, and builds award-winning, independent and branded hotels that have delighted guests and investors, alike, such as Emeline in Charleston, SC (Best New Hotel in the US), Noelle in Nashville, TN (Best Public Spaces, Best Bar), The Eliza Jane in New Orleans, LA (Best Hotel Conversion), and The Cliff House in Ogunquit, ME (Most Beautiful Hotel in the World). Jim also formed RBHD, a leading hotel development and construction management business. In 11 years, RBHD has performed $2.4 Billion in renovation and ground-up construction in over 60 hotels. Jim founded Rockbridge with his partners in 1999. He led the company through a 20-year anniversary celebration in 2019, creating the R20 brand which identifies four core themes called Rocks – Relevance,
Relationships, Resilience and Responsibility – that drive Rockbridge’s success. The R20 brand symbolizes slowing down to move forward, being reflective, and planning for the future.

Jim’s passion and vision extend beyond Rockbridge and drive a strong commitment to making a difference in the communities in which Rockbridge operates. Jim created and launched RTRX, a leadership and innovation experience that inspires curiosity, ignites conversation, and enables meaningful
action. RTRX raises awareness and funding for high-risk cancer research and benefits Pelotonia, a 2-day cycling event in Columbus, Ohio. Through RTRX, Rockbridge has raised over $6 Million in 11 years. Additionally, Jim is the top, individual fundraiser in the nation for Big Brothers, Big Sisters’ signature fundraiser, Bowl for Kids’ Sake. His leadership has driven Rockbridge to raise over $1.4 Million dollars for BBBS. Because of Jim’s dedication to the community, Rockbridge has been honored for four consecutive years as a top, community-focused company in Central Ohio.

Over the past 23 years, Jim has held key leadership positions on multiple, industry boards, including the Marriott Hotels Advisory Board, AHLA Board of Directors, Hilton Hotels & Resorts Owner Advisory Council, Davidson Hotels & Resorts, Hospitality Ventures Management Group, Makeready, FHG Advisory Board, ILC Advisory Board, and the Lodging Industry Investment Council. In addition, Jim is a member of the Columbus Partnership. He was honored as the C-Suite Executive of the Year in Central Ohio in 2018 and as a Top CEO in 2021 and 2022. He has also been recognized as a Power 100 Executive in Columbus for the past 4 years and was inducted into the Junior Achievement Central Ohio Business Hall of Fame. In 2020 and 2021, Jim was honored as a Smart 50 Business Executive in Central Ohio.