Hospitality/Tourism: JIM McGLOTHLIN
CHAIRMAN, THE UNITED CO., BRISTOL
Published
McGlothlin and high school friend Clyde Stacy rolled the dice and successfully lobbied the Virginia General Assembly to legalize casinos in select Virginia cities, a gamble that seems to be paying off. On July 8, a temporary version of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol debuted at the old Bristol Mall, which will operate until the $400 million permanent casino opens in 2024. It’s a partnership between McGlothlin and Stacy’s companies and Florida-based Hard Rock International.
In the 1970s, McGlothlin co-founded United Coal Co., which later became United Co. and has pivoted to become a multifaceted business, with interests in hospitality and real estate, as well as coal, oil and gas. McGlothlin retired as its CEO in January but remains the company’s chair. United Co. President Martin Kent, former chief of staff to Gov. Bob McDonnell, was promoted to CEO.
McGlothlin and his wife, Frances, are also noted philanthropists who have donated nearly $300 million to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which is naming a wing after the couple following their March donation of about $60 million, including 15 paintings.
