THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ABLE TO HAVE DREAMS, IDEAS AND GOALS COME TO FRUITION, IS THE CORE OF WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE BECAUSE OF THE FREEDOMS THAT ARE OURS IN AMERICA.

- Denise Burnett Stewart

SMALL BUSINESS DRIVES THE AMERICAN ECONOMY. IT THRIVES AND SURVIVES NO MATTER WHAT MAY BE GOING ON IN THE MAIN ECONOMY.

- Dick Gadomski

UNLESS WE PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP, WE WILL NOT HAVE AN EXCITING BUSINESS ATMOSPHERE IN OUR COUNTRY.

- Allen B. Morgan, Jr.

JACK A. BELZ

BELZ ENTERPRISES
CHAIRMAN/CEO
Master Entrepreneur

“Downtown Memphis sure has come a long way.” It’s a phrase that’s often heard these days, and it’s one for which in large part Memphis can thank the vision of Jack Belz. It goes back to 1948, to the wedding of Jack and Marilyn Belz in the beautiful Peabody Hotel. The hotel was, of course, special to Mr. Belz, and for that reason he and his family purchased it in 1975 rescuing it from dilapidation. He re-opened it in 1981, at the same time revealing his dream for revitalizing downtown Memphis.
Mr. Belz has carried through in realizing this dream, contributing to revitalization projects all over Memphis in the past years. His efforts culminate in the development of the Peabody Place project. Planned to eventually cover an eight-block area, this project currently includes the Peabody Hotel, various residential, office and business buildings.

Mr. Belz has also given much to Memphis in other ways. His civic involvements are quite numerous, as are his arts contributions. In 1999, he and his wife Marilyn opened up their exquisite Chinese art collection to the Memphis community, keeping it on permanent display at the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art and has since expanded it with many other art categories.

Year Business Founded:

1940

Year Inducted:

1992

Thoughts on Entrepreneurship:

“Entrepreneurship is the opportunity for an individual to contribute to the concept of American business leadership in this multi-faceted society.”

For More Information: http://www.belz.com