about

Heiko Dobrikow

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eiko Dobrikow is a seasoned hotelier of over 30 years and a business professional with extensive experience in all areas of the property & asset management. He is an expert in providing advisory support and solutions, such as developing successful management teams, ensuring revenue optimization, implementing service excellence and employee satisfaction. Assets may range from a boutique hotel to a major convention resort, from commercial buildings to residential communities. Further Heiko is known for taking companies with vertical cultures and flatten them by implementing a Servant Leadership Ideology.

Currently Heiko is the Executive Vice President at the Las Olas Company and the General Manager of the Riverside Hotel, which both are owned and operated by the Wells Family of Fort Lauderdale. Heiko has worked at beautiful 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. Heiko believes in community involvement and is the Past Board Chair / current board director of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Past President / current board director of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association – Broward Chapter, current Board Member of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Board Member of the Winterfest Boat Parade, Board Member of the Broward Workforce Development Board, Member of the Broward County Tourism Coalition, Founder & Past Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale General Manager’s Council, Founding Member of the South Florida Business Council and past Executive Committee Member of the Greater Miami & Beaches Hotel Association. He further is actively involved as a member at the Fort Lauderdale Rotary Club, the Rotacyclists Florida, an Ambassador for the Salvation Army, a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, Mission United of Broward County, Broward Partnership for the Homeless and further volunteers as a member of the Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

Heiko has also been recognized as Top 500 most influential leaders in Florida (Florida Trend), South Florida Business Leader of the Year (Florida Atlantic University) and as a South Florida Power Leader (South Florida Business Journal). Heiko has received numerous awards such as South Florida General Manager of the Year (HSMAI), Chairman’s Award (Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce), Broward’s Best Leaders Award (South Florida Executive magazine), Gay & Lesbian Business Exchange Ally of the Year (GLBX), South Florida’s Tourism Legend of the Year (HSMAI), Tourism Icon of the Year (TravelHost), Homeless Champion of the Year (Broward Partnership of the Homeless), Rotary Cheerleader of the Year (Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale), Top 3 Florida Hotel General Manager of the Year (FRLA) and Men of Style Award (Galleria Fort Lauderdale).

Heiko grew up in Germany and came to the U.S. at the age of 17 years old. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor in Arts with the desire to becoming Sports Psychologist. However, while studying at KU, he fell in love with the hospitality industry and never looked back.

His hobbies are travelling, motorcycling, off road adventures in his Jeep, boating, scuba diving, tennis and golf. He is married to his beautiful wife Elenice and enjoys the company of his Vizsla “Luke” and his African Grey Parrots, “Malibu” and “Sugar”.