FAU Honors Heiko Dobrikow as Business Leader of the Year
More than 500 guests turned out to celebrate Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business’ 25th annual Business Leader of the Year, Heiko Dobrikow, on Friday, Jan. 27, at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.
Heiko Dobrikow, pictured center, with FAU College of Business Dean Daniel Gropper, right, and FAU mascot Owlsley, left, is executive vice president at The Las Olas Company, general manager of the Riverside Hotel and chairman of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.
More than 500 guests turned out to celebrate Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business’ 25th annual Business Leader of the Year, Heiko Dobrikow, on Friday, Jan. 27, at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.
The executive vice president at The Las Olas Company, general manager of the Riverside Hotel and chairman of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Dobrikow said he was humbled and grateful to receive the award.
In his acceptance speech, he explained that he was asked a question by a student earlier that morning which he struggled to answer. What is the secret of success to become a great leader?
The answer came to him when he looked at the award itself and saw the letters FAU. To Dobrikow, the letters stand for Family, Authenticity and Universe.
“Shoot for the stars. Set some goals. Reach them. Grab them,” Dobrikow said. “If you don’t reach for the stars you will never succeed. You need to think beyond.”
A seasoned hotelier with more than 30 years of experience and a business professional with extensive experience in all areas of property and asset management, Dobrikow is an expert in providing advisory support and solutions, such as developing successful management teams, ensuring revenue optimization, implementing service excellence and employee satisfaction. He is known for taking companies with vertical structures and flattening them by implementing a “servant leadership ideology.”
Founded in 1935 by Chicago brothers Preston and John Wells, The Las Olas Company is a long-standing family owned and operated real estate development company vested in Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale’s most prestigious shopping and dining district. The Wells family opened the Riverside Hotel in 1936.
Prior to joining the Las Olas Company and the Riverside Hotel, Dobrikow worked at resorts such as the Fisher Island Hotel & Resort in Miami, the Casa Marina Resort in Key West, the Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove and the Hilton Palm Beach Oceanfront Resort.
During the event, Dobrikow also was presented with The Seven Seals Award by the United States Department of Defense for his meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in the National Guard and Reserves.
The Las Olas Company was Presenting Sponsor for the event, Zimmerman Advertising was Platinum Sponsor, and JetBlue, Palm Beach Polo and Maus & Hoffman were Diamond Sponsors.
Since 1991, FAU’s College of Business has presented the Business Leader of the Year award, honoring the work of outstanding contributors to the overall business climate of the southeast region of Florida and the state. Dobrikow joins other honored recipients of the award, including Naren Gursahaney, Jeff Stoops, Jordan Zimmerman, Wayne Huizenga, Jim Robo, Mike Jackson, Ronald Assaf, Alexander Dreyfoos, Jim Moran, Carl DeSantis, Bud Paxson, Jerry Levin, Pat Moran, Jeb Bush, Alan Levan and Mike Maroone.
-FAU-
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