MEET THE TEAM

IKE THRASH

Founding Partner & Managing Director

Ike W. Thrash was born in Meridian, Mississippi on March 17, 1953. He and the former Dawn Marie Lacour have been married since July 13, 1974, and have four children: Jennifer, Kelly, Walker, and Joseph. Ike played baseball and attended Tulane University, and later graduated with honors from the University of Southern Mississippi.

From 1975 to 1986, he worked as an underwriter for J.H. Harris Mortgage Company in New Orleans, as a site selector and general contractor for Studebakers Restaurants, and as a residential builder and developer of apartments and single-family homes.

Since 1986, Ike W. Thrash has been involved in the acquisition, development, renovation, and disposition of multifamily and other income-producing properties. This has included over 18,000 apartment communities as well as multiple successful condominium and hotel projects with total values exceeding one billion dollars. He has developed over 3,000 rental units and over 2,000,000 square feet of retail commercial.

JOSEPH THRASH

Partner - Focus on Acquisitions & Finance

Joseph Thrash joined the company in May 2005 after graduating with honors from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.

Since working for the company, he has been directly involved in the acquisition and development of over $600 million in commercial properties including hotels, apartments, and condominiums. His primary areas of focus involve project underwriting, project finance, and project selection. This focus has allowed him to become extremely well versed in complex financing and tax credit structures while making him an acquisition and valuation specialist for the company.

Joseph received his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Millsaps College and is a member of both Beta Gamma Sigma and Omicron Delta Epsilon honor societies.

DAWN THRASH

Racing Manager

Dawn L. Thrash was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the ninth of nine children to Lurry and Estelle Lacour. She met Ike while he was attending Tulane and the couple was married in 1974. They have four children: Jennifer, Kelly, Walker and Joseph and eleven grandchildren.

Dawn attended both Louisiana State University and the University of Southern Mississippi. She has always had a passion for horses and turned that passion into a business. Along with Ike, they have been involved in the thoroughbred racing industry for the past 31 years.

Ike and his wife Dawn also operate a very successful stable of thoroughbred racehorses. They currently reside in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

ELLEN TICHENOR

Creative Director

Ellen is a 2006 graduate of Texas Tech University and joined Thrash Group in early 2019. She currently resides in Dallas and works out of the Dallas Design Office.

She is a registered interior design professional with exceptional experience working on both the design side and owner side of the business. She is tasked with designing in-house for the brand, as well as managing outside design firms to stay within budget, schedule, and design standards.

She has paved the way for Thrash Group to be recognized with design awards for both Hotel Morgan and Hotel Tupelo. Previously Ellen worked at Omni Hotels and Resorts and her experience at top design firms afforded her the outstanding design foundation and client relationships that led to her current role. Prior to joining the team, Ellen was the lead designer on many Thrash Group Properties including: The Campbell House, The Admiral and The Artesian.

KAREN PRIGMORE

Director of Design

Karen graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2005 with a degree in Interior Design. Upon graduation, she moved to Dallas where she now lives with her husband and two boys.

As a registered Interior Designer with nearly 20 years of hospitality design experience, she has led design teams for other well-known design firms in Dallas before joining The Thrash Group. Her project experience covers a wide range of hospitality projects throughout the United States, China and the UAE.

Based in the Thrash Group Dallas Design Office, Karen helps manage design consultants, track schedules, and works closely with the architect and third-party designers to ensure successful projects. Karen also designs in-house for the brand with strengths in space planning and overall plan development.

KATELYN FARRIS

Director of Accounting

Katelyn joined The Thrash Group in November of 2019 after working at a public accounting firm as a staff accountant directly under the lead CPA. She is involved in the day-to-day management of corporate financials. These various financial duties involve analyzing construction cash flows, aligning outflows with company-wide budgets, and organizing the financial data. She also works directly with the company CPA to prepare and review financial data for tax and reporting purposes.

Katelyn is a 2019 graduate of William Carey University, where she received her Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

MELANIE HILL

Executive Coordinator

Melanie Hill is an accomplished professional in the multifamily and real estate industry, currently serving as the Executive Coordinator of the Thrash Group since 2015.

With over a decade of experience in the multifamily and real estate industry, Melanie continues to make a lasting impact within the Thrash Group. She plays a crucial role in facilitating the smooth functioning of the organization. She is responsible for managing day-to-day operations, coordinating executive schedules, and ensuring efficient communication across various departments.

Dedication to her work extends beyond her official responsibilities. She actively contributes to strategic planning initiatives, leveraging her industry knowledge to identify opportunities for growth and innovation.

STEPHEN SAUSSY

Director of Construction

Stephen is a Mississippi native. After graduating high school he joined the Marine Corp and spent 13 weeks on Parris Island. After various training schools, the final stop was the 4th Amphibian Assault Battalion, located in Gulfport, MS, where Stephen served as an AAV mechanic.

Stephen is a Marine Corp veteran, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 and 2008. While serving in the USMC, Stephen was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Marine Corp Achievement Medal as well as the Military Outstanding volunteer service medal.

Upon an honorable discharge from the Marine Corp, he attended USM and received his degree in Construction Engineering. Stephen has worked as a field superintendent, estimator, field engineer and a project manager. Stephen has also worked as a service and production manager for a welding/manufacturing company that produces oil and gas production equipment.

TRACEY ROSS

Asset Manager

Tracey is a seasoned professional in the real estate industry, with an extensive background in development, acquisition, renovation, and management of multi-family units. With a remarkable tenure spanning over two decades at The Thrash Group, Tracey has played a vital role in the company's growth and success since joining in 2002.

Having been involved in the development, acquisition, renovation, and management of over 15,000 multi-family units, Tracey has demonstrated an exceptional aptitude for overseeing complex projects from conception to completion. Her expertise extends to various sectors, including residential, commercial, and multi-family developments, showcasing her versatility and ability to adapt to diverse market demands.

As a key member of The Thrash Group, Tracey holds the responsibility of overseeing assets within the organization. Her keen eye for detail and strategic decision-making skills have been instrumental in optimizing the performance of these assets and ensuring their long-term profitability. Through their proactive approach to property management, they have consistently enhanced operational efficiency, and financial performance.