The story
≈600 miles by road.
One family, three states, four decades — from an 18-room motel to Iowa City.
Mena, AR→
Hannibal, MO→
Burlington, IA→
Iowa City, IA
1985 — present
Hawkeye Hotels
Born above his family’s 18-room motel in Mena, Arkansas. Today, president of one of the largest family-owned hotel developers in the country — still family led.
Investing
Built By Iowa
Early capital for ambitious founders with a meaningful connection to Iowa — the ones traditional venture has overlooked.
Patel Investments
Long-term ownership plus an event-driven strategy built to act when markets dislocate.
The story
One family, three states, four decades — from an 18-room motel to Iowa City.
1985 — present
The Class
Entrepreneurship at the Tippie College of Business. Not a lecture course — real decisions from real companies, candid conversations with founders, investors, athletes, and public leaders.