Ms. Monica Harrigill Speaks to Rotary Club of North Jackson

Ms. Monica Harrigill, Vice President of Jackie International and of co-Founder of SunRay Companies  a full service hospitality, real estate, and retail management company that was founded in 1996 by Ray Harrigill.  Based in Madison Mississippi, Sunray operates great brands including Hampton Inn Hotel and Suites, Palm Beach Tan tanning salons, Massage Envy Spas, and Bumpers Drive-In restaurants. Jackie International  consists of over 50 properties in four states including Bumpers Drive-In, Simply Southern Grill & Buffet, additional independent restaurants as well as numerous hotel properties such as Hilton Garden Inn, Hyatt Place, Hampton Inn and Suites and Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites.

 

Monica is a Mississippi native and graduate of Millsaps College and holds a degree in Chemistry.  She is also currently enrolled in the Harvard Business School.  Monica began her career working for her family as a restaurant manager when she finished college in 1988 at the age of eighteen.  She quickly moved up to multi-unit and multi-concept management ultimately running a conglomerate of restaurants, hotels, and convenience stores with 60 locations and 1,600 employees.  As Executive Vice President, she oversaw all aspects of operations and development of this company through 2014.  Along with Ray, she founded the Sunray Companies in 1996.  Monica’s expertise in systems, operations, project management and human resource development, adds significant depth to the capabilities of the Sunray Companies.  Monica is also passionate about giving back to the Mississippi community and volunteers time for a variety of Mississippi based charities and organizations and serves as a Trustee for Millsaps College.   Monica is also currently enrolled in Harvard Business School's Owners, Presidents, and Management program. Monica’s favorite quote, “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”   Mother Teresa

 

The subject of Monica's talk was Life's Lessons. It began in June 2003 when she experienced a terrible auto accident when her car was hit by an out of control pick up truck. She experienced 27 bone breaks below her waist and was told that it was doubtful that  she would ever walk again. Now, 14 yrs and multiple surgeries later, she is walking and leading a team at Sunray Companies which has grown and expanded in her tenure. In her talk, she discussed the importance of team work , having the right life priorities, and setting the proper example. The industry in which they operate typically experiences high employee turnover. Turnover has dropped from in excess of 100% annually to about 35%. In addition to the quote from Mother Teresa, she cited the mantra of "doing it right the first time" as her guiding principle.

 

Ms. Harrigill (2nd from left) is shown in the accompanying photo with c;lub member Dr. Suman Das (left), who introduced her, Club President Wyatt Emmerich (2nd from right) and Club Vice president Witt Ruffin (right). We thank her for her very interesting and inspirational talk.