Employee Spotlight- Rick Morris!

April 26, 2018

Fort Wood Hotels has Six Award Winning hotels in St. Robert MO ran by a team of top-notch employees. We have many exceptional employees that make our hotels stand out amongst its competitors with our "Ozark Hospitality". Our hotels near Fort Leonard Wood MO operates at such a high level due to the leadership of our Director of Operations, Rick Morris. Rick Morris operates all six of our properties on a daily basis. He joined the company in April 2007 and has played a huge role in our daily operations and within the community. He has a passion for serving and believes in creating a great culture where teams are resourced and empowered. He does this by helping employees understand their roles in serving our guests, our teams, and our communities.

Learn About Rick Morris

Rick Morris served 23 years in the United States Army and retired as a Command Sergeant Major. Rick is married to Audrey Julia (AJ) and they have a 30-year-old son (Jake) who is a MP Company Commander 1LT in the US Army Reserves. Rick is a Supporter of his Community and a Soldier for Life. Command Sergeant Major (R) Richard C. Morris was raised In Apple Valley, Minnesota and entered the US Army in July 1983. He completed Military Police One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort McClellan, Alabama in November 1983. Rick received a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies from Columbia College in 2003.

Since retiring from the Army in October 2006 Rick has earned the title of Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) and is a 2009 Graduate of Emory Executive Education, Global Leadership Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. He currently serves as the Director of Operations for Fort Wood Hotels by Ehrhardt Properties, Saint Robert, MO and is an Owner/Partner in Liberty Park Apartments in St. Robert and The Lodges at Rolla (Gated Multi-Family Communities).

His high energy, positive style of leadership will inspire you to reach high and achieve great things. He also believes, "if your presence doesn't make a difference - Your absence probably won't either". He teaches all employees to make a difference every day through hospitality. After traveling the world himself, he now helps our hotels serve our guests from all over.

Awards & Honors

Rick Morris continues to make a difference in his community every day by his involvement in organizations and associations. His excellence has been noticed and here are some of his accomplishments.

Army Awards

Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Commendation Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Achievement Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters
Humanitarian Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Combat Action Badge
Basic Parachutist Badge
Air Assault Badge
Gold Army Recruiter Badge with 3 Sapphire Stars
Military Police Corps Order of the Marechaussee in Bronze

Current Achievements

Chairman of the Committee of Fifty

AUSA State President Missouri

President of the Pulaski County Tourism Board

President of the Pulaski County Hotel and Lodging Association

Active Member of the Executive Board of the Sustainable Ozarks Partnership (SOP)

Board Member of Pulaski County Growth Alliance (PCGA)

Lifetime Member of the Military Police Regimental Association (MPRA)

Lifetime Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Lifetime member of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA)

Member of the Army's Sergeant Audie Murphy Club

Member of the Army's Sergeant Morales Club

Member of the Pulaski County Rotary Club and Rotary International

2016 Awarded Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow

Chamber of Commerce 2017 Outstanding Contributor of the Year-

Past Achievements

Served as United States Army Chapter President 2010-12
Awarded the COL Ed Owsley award for distinguished service by AUSA
Awarded the Lieutenant Governors Veterans Service Award for continued service to Veterans in Missouri.
Served on the Rolla City Council (Ward 5) from April 2007-2009
In 2014, CSM Morris was awarded the prestigious Sergeant Major of the Army Bainbridge Award for his lifelong contributions to the US Army and the NCO Corps. Read the full article here.
2016 Chamber of Commerce Charitable Business of the Year

Photo Credit: AUSA Annual Meeting

Fort Wood Hotels is honored to have such an outstanding individual on our team. Rick Morris has such compassion for the community and for tourism in this area. He will continue to make an impact in the area and to have his leadership at our hotels is what makes our team excel. You will not find higher quality hotels at a better value in our area. Our hotels near Fort Leonard Wood and staff consistently earn top awards, and our unbeatable guest satisfaction speaks volumes about our commitment to you. It all comes back to offering hometown hospitality and giving the guests what they need.

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