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FRLA names hospitality industry honorees, new leadership for tourism-adjacent industry

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Greg Cook of The Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island was named Chair of the hospitality board for 2026.

Few industry organizations are more tapped into Florida tourism than the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA), and this week the group honored its top industry leaders at an event at the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin.

The event on Tuesday bolstered the FRLA’s reputation by highlighting its top members. Four members were singled out for distinguished service in the past year and, in doing so, became 2025 FRLA Hall of Fame inductees.

Dick Rivera was given the lifetime achievement award for his work with Suncoast Hospitality Partners in Sarasota. Rivera has more than 50 years of experience as the founder of a hospitality business that has seen several offshoot ventures. He began his career with Steak and Ale Restaurants of America and held executive roles with Longhorn Steakhouse, TGI Friday’s, Applebee’s and El Chico Corp. among others.

The FRLA Supplier of the Year Award went to Jordan Beckner of FiberBuilt Umbrella & Cushions in Pompano Beach. He’s the founding partner and president of Sales for the company. He’s also a past member of the Board of Trustees for the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Educational Foundation. He is a member of the Marketing and Allied Member Council on FRLA’s Educational Foundation Board.

Mike Quillen was selected as restaurateur of the year for the FRLA for his work with Watershed Hospitality Concepts, Gecko’s Hospitality Group and Micas Mountain Kitchen in both Sarasota and regions in North Carolina. Quillen is president of some 15 independent restaurant group locations in those areas and now oversees some 800 employees.

Heiko Dobrikow was dubbed hotelier of the year for his work at the Riverside Hotel & The Las Olas Co. in Fort Lauderdale. He has more than 30 years of experience and has a knack for overhauling organizations and hotel operations. He’s held leadership roles at resorts such as Marriott’s Bay Point Resort, Fisher Island Hotel & Resort, Casa Marina Resort and the Hilton Palm Beach, among other first-tier hotels.

The FRLA also named its 2026 Board Chair: Greg Cook of The Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island.

“It is a privilege to honor those whose lifelong dedication has defined excellence in Florida’s hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the FRLA. “FRLA’s 2025 Hall of Fame inductees have shaped and strengthened our industry through decades of leadership, vision, and innovation. With more than 140 years of combined service, their legacy of excellence continues to inspire and set the standard for future generations of hospitality professionals. Congratulations to our outstanding Hall of Fame winners.”



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Ron DeSantis ‘most electable’ in 2028 GOP poll, but not first choice

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Republicans don’t want to vote for Gov. Ron DeSantis.

But they think others might.

That’s the takeaway from the latest Yale Youth Poll, which shows both Gov. Ron DeSantis and Secretary of State Marco Rubio mired in the mid single digits at 6% and 5%, respectively, far behind the 51% backing Vice President JD Vance for first-choice support.

But when the survey asked respondents who is more “electable,” the Governor and the nation’s leading diplomat are in better shape.

“In a MaxDiff test, Republicans viewed DeSantis (79%) and Vance (75%) as the most electable against a hypothetical Democrat in a General Election, followed by Rubio (71%) and Donald Trump Jr. (67%); results did not differ significantly between younger Republicans and all Republicans,” Yale notes.

The result here, particularly for DeSantis, could bolster the hopes of those who want him to run to succeed term-limited Donald Trump in 2028.

The Governor keeps getting that question from reporters but tells them he’s not looking, saying he has his “hands full” and that he’s “not thinking about anything” regarding his next political move.

Rubio is also an also-ran in the polls, compared to Vance.

However, President Donald Trump seems to think Rubio and Vance would be a functional ticket, one that could clear the still-evolving field of his potential successors.

“I’m not sure if anybody would run against those two. I think if they formed a group, it would be unstoppable,” the President said, according to POLITICO Playbook.



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Disney World is suing over its property tax bills for Magic Kingdom, Star Wars hotel, more

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Disney is suing over what it calls “excessive” property tax assessments for its four theme parks, the failed Star Wars hotel and a slew of other properties from the company’s vast real estate portfolio in Orange County.

The multibillion-dollar entertainment giant filed about 15 lawsuits late last week in Orange Circuit Court.

Disney wants to cancel the original 2025 tax bills, be issued new ones for reassessed amounts, then get reimbursed for its legal fees for contesting the property taxes. The Mouse is also asking the court to award “general relief as may be just and equitable,” according to the complaints.

The lawsuits accused Orange County Property Appraiser Amy Mercado’s Office of failing to use “professionally accepted appraisal practices,” although Disney’s complaints don’t provide details about its allegations.

“The assessments do not represent the just value of the Subject Property as of the lien date because they exceed the market value and therefore violates article VII, section 4 of the Florida Constitution,” the lawsuits said.

Disney has sued regularly over its property taxes for years. This time, however, the lawsuits come as state leaders are actively pushing to repeal or lower property taxes for residents.

Some state lawmakers are concerned about senior citizens and average Floridians struggling to afford their property taxes — although so far, officials aren’t specifically advocating for Disney to save money on its property tax bills in the ongoing debate for property tax relief.

The Walt Disney Co. is the most successful theme park operator in the world. Orlando’s Magic Kingdom is the crown jewel as the No. 1 most popular theme park on the planet, with an estimated 17.8 million visitors last year.

The Orange County Tax Collector did not immediately respond to questions from Florida Politics about how much Disney pays in property taxes or provide a breakdown of how much of that money funds local government, schools and the library system.

Disney said Magic Kingdom’s assessed value was at about $622 million, with Epcot at $795 million, Hollywood Studios at $639 million and Animal Kingdom at $495 million.

The site of the ill-fated Star Wars: Galactic Cruiser hotel was assessed at $38 million this year. Disney plans to turn the property into offices for Imagineers after the company shut down the hotel in 2023.

Other hotels being litigated over include the Grand Floridian Resort, accessed at $333 million, the Contemporary, at $243 million, and Coronado Springs, at $350 million.

Disney also did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday for this story.



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North Florida Land Trust publishes book documenting a quarter century of land preservation

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Floridians can now read all about it when it comes to the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT).

The nonprofit environmental conservation organization has only been around since 1999. But in that time, the NFLT has overseen tens of thousands of acres of land preservation in North Florida. Now, a new book, “Keeping North Florida Wild,” is celebrating the group’s quarter century as one of the most influential conservation organizations in the state.

“This book gives people a way to visualize our accomplishments and impact as well as understand the significant role conservation has in Florida. It showcases why we must continue our mission to preserve these important natural spaces, because it truly is now or never,” said Allison DeFoor, NFLT President and CEO.

“I think our team did an incredible job, and I especially want to thank Sarah Hande, our communications officer, who took the lead on putting this book together. She really did a wonderful job, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it.”

The book includes photo essays and additional commentary from Mark Woods, an opinion columnist with The Florida Times-Union newspaper in Jacksonville. “Keeping North Florida Wild” can be bought online and delivered.

The NFLT has had a productive 2025 in terms of land acquisitions. The organization has added thousands of acres to what’s called the Ocala to Osceola wildlife corridor, which runs through several counties.

The organization also picked up some surprise donations in November. The NFLT announced it received an unexpected $100,000 in donations. Much of that money came from Heather and Herve Devos, while two anonymous donors made up for the remaining portion.

The contribution to the NFLT comes at a critical time, as the environmental preservation organization is engaged in its end-of-year fundraising campaign. The nonprofit group is aiming to raise $500,000 in contributions by Dec. 31. The NFLT is also promising to match each dollar up to $100,000 for those donations, “amplifying the power of every gift to protect North Florida’s natural resources.”

The NFLT operates on donations to cover its operating costs. The year-end fundraising campaign helps the organization expand its land acquisition efforts.



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