MARK HOLLIS
Mark Hollis serves as the chief operating officer for Rock Ventures, tying threads and delivering value to the 100+ companies across Dan Gilbert’s portfolio. Through his time at Rock Ventures, Mark has been integral in bringing and elevating global prominence events to Detroit, including the Rocket Mortgage Classic, the Forbes Under 30 Summit, the 2024 NFL Draft, the 2027 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, and the Detroit Grand Prix transformation, among others.
Hollis retired from a 38-year career in intercollegiate athletics after serving 10 years as the athletics director at Michigan State University. During his tenure at MSU, Hollis was known for his innovations in developing some of the sports world’s most creative events. These events include now established mainstays such as the NHL’s annual Winter Classic outdoor game and the NCAA Carrier Classic, which presents a basketball game on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier and has led to other military appreciation events by college and professional sports.
Hollis earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Michigan State University in 1985, where he served as a basketball team manager under Jud Heathcote and was the college roommate of now legendary basketball coach Tom Izzo. In 1992, Hollis earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado.
