Greg Cook

Luxury General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Inspired by his father’s stories of international business travels, Greg Cook embarked on a 40-year journey fueled by a passion for global trends and a talent for transforming insights into innovative strategies in the luxury hospitality sector.

Greg credits his humble beginnings as a Bellman for shaping his mastery of guest engagement and his commitment to exceeding expectations. These early experiences laid the foundation for a successful entry into luxury hospitality. After a brief entrepreneurial venture in construction, Greg returned to the hotel industry, quickly rising through the ranks to become General Manager of the South Beach Stanton and then on to the Eden Roc Resort & Spa. There, he partnered with Marriott’s corporate office to pilot a luxury $240M transformation concept that redefined the property’s identity including partnering with Elle Magazine and opening the first Elle Spa.

His success at Eden Roc Resort & Spa led to his appointment as Area General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, where he did a complete property reimagination and conceptualized the acclaimed Burlock Coast restaurant. As Area General Manager he also led the W Fort Lauderdale and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. In 2020, Greg took the helm at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, overseeing a multimillion-dollar renovation that included a complete room refresh, a revitalized spa, and the addition of a Wellness Center, Nature Center, and enhanced Ritz Kids programming. The resort has seen a 41% increase in revenue and a 44% increase in GOP since 2019.

Greg’s passion for trendsetting and design culminated in the spectacular renovation of the award-winning Salt restaurant, including a refreshed lounge and a curated menu for sophisticated epicureans.

Greg fosters a culture of innovation, collaborating with hotel leaders to craft distinctive guest experiences across Food and Beverage, Culinary, Recreation, Spa, and Wellness. He is also deeply engaged in environmental stewardship, championing initiatives like the resort’s dolphin research program—an interactive effort led by marine biologists that blends education, conservation, and hands-on discovery to support Amelia Island’s delicate ecosystems. Under Greg’s visionary leadership, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island was honored with Marriott International Luxury Resort of the Year for 2022, representing the highest distinction across the Eastern Region and North America. This prestigious accolade reflects top-tier performance across the Marriott Balance Scorecard, including financial results, innovation, guest and employee engagement and community impact.

A firm believer in community engagement, Greg’s leadership in volunteer and fundraising initiatives earned the property the prestigious designation of Ritz-Carlton’s Community Footprint Property of the Year in 2025. Notably, Greg has led two properties to earn The Ritz-Carlton Community Footprint award – first at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale and most recently at Amelia Island – underscoring his enduring commitment to social responsibility and local impact.

He is also a dedicated advocate for the hospitality industry, serving as past Chair of Visit Florida and incoming President of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.

Greg’s commitment to mentorship has been recognized by the University of North Florida for an exemplary student leadership program involving over 40 hotel leaders. Outside of work, Greg is an enthusiastic outdoorsman who enjoys boating and fishing with his wife Pam and their two daughters.

Learn more about Greg in his Chairman highlight video here. 

Henry Delgado

Managing Partner, Smith & Wollensky Miami Beach, PPX Hospitality

Henry began his hospitality career in the hotel industry in New York City holding positions with Doral Hotels, the Carlyle Hotel, HK Hotel, Morgan Hotel, and Penn Club. To further his career path, Henry then moved to Miami to attend Florida International University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration.

After college in 1997, Henry was offered a position with Smith & Wollensky, and he has found his longtime professional home and heart with the company ever since. Henry’s passion and talent shined, and he was promoted to General Manager in 2007 and Managing Partner in 2016. He oversees more than 200 employees and helps with new openings in the company. He has led the restaurant to many accolades throughout his tenure, including recognition as the FRLA Member of the Month in February 2020 and in the 2023 Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards  “Best Award of Excellence.”

Smith & Wollensky has held the honor of being recognized as one of Miami’s best restaurants with the best ocean view for decades under Henry’s leadership. Locals, visitors, and celebrities call it their favorite place!

In addition to his duties as Managing Partner at his Miami Beach location, Henry works diligently to support the industry and has served as President for the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) Miami-Dade Chapter twice. A longtime FRLA board member, Henry joined the FRLA Board of Directors Executive Committee in 2022. He is active in the Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association and served on the Pillar Board of Trustees for the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, contributing to their support of local businesses.  

Henry is a respected and recognized member of the community and contributes support for many charities throughout the South Florida area. He was honored as the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Professional of the Year. He currently serves on the board of the Safe Haven Foundation for Newborns.

Outside of work, Henry enjoys spending time with his three beautiful daughters.

Chuck Prather

President, Birchwood Development, St. Petersburg

Chuck Prather, President of Birchwood Development, is a local developer turned hotelier and restaurateur who graduated from high school in Tampa, attended the University of Florida, and graduated from the University South Florida with a degree in Business Administration in 1983. His career began as a commercial real estate broker working for large developers. In 1996, he formed Birchwood Development to build and lease back buildings to the federal government. His early projects include the Tampa Drug Enforcement Administration office, Tampa Immigration, Detroit Immigration District Headquarters, Riviera Beach Border Patrol, Jacksonville Border Patrol, and the regional Office of Security and Integrity in Burlington, Vermont.

In 2011, Chuck ventured into the hospitality business to enact his vision for the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront property and fulfill his desire to offer the community something different that combined new development with the area’s history. Purchasing the former Grayl’s Hotel, originally built in 1924, he demolished all but the four exterior walls. Prather re-made the property into The Birchwood – a five-story building that includes an 18-room boutique hotel; a 340-capacity person grand ballroom; Birch & Vine, a fine dining restaurant; a rooftop bar and lounge, and an outdoor sidewalk café,

In 2018, Prather teamed with the City of St. Petersburg to redevelop The St. Pete Pier, a 27-acre city-owned site. The project includes Teak, a 220-seat restaurant overlooking the waters of Tampa Bay, and Pier Teaki, a Tiki-themed rooftop bar with a capacity of over 400. Also at the Pier is a coffee shop and café known as Driftwood Café. The family-friendly development offers 22 public boat slips, a large children’s playground, a splash pad, and a beach.

After joining the hospitality industry, Prather became active in the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). His engagement included meetings and advocacy efforts across the state and in Washington, D.C. for lobbying days, where he pushed for changes to address the many challenges faced in the hotel and restaurant industry. Later, he served two terms as President of FRLA’s Pinellas County Chapter. In addition to working with elected leaders, he also focuses on the education of culinary and hospitality students. He is an avid supporter of Travelpalooza and the Ryan Wells Foundation gala, local fundraisers for student culinary scholarships. Prather was also asked to be an Introduction to Hospitality guest lecturer at St. Petersburg College.

Appointed by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners in 2018, he currently serves on the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council, an advisory board that makes recommendations on how to allocate the funds collected from the county’s bed tax, which surpassed $95,000,000 in 2024. In addition to the FRLA and TDC boards, Prather is also a board member of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership and Suncoast Centers.

Chuck is a family man with six adult children. His wife, Kathy Reilly Prather, M.D. (OB/GYN) left her practice in 1998 and spent many of her retirement years as the volunteer Medical Director at Catholic Charities Pregnancy Center in St. Petersburg.

Dennis Chan

Owner/Chef & Operator, Blue Bamboo, Jacksonville

Dennis Chan is a celebrated chef and restaurateur based in Jacksonville, Florida, where he owns and operates Blue Bamboo, a restaurant he founded in 2005. Growing up in a family that owned twelve restaurants over eight decades, Dennis developed a deep passion for the culinary arts from an early age. He briefly considered law school before realizing his true calling was in the restaurant business.

Dennis attended the University of Florida and later refined his customer service expertise working for The Disney Company, where he served as a VIP tour guide and was part of the opening team for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. His experience at Disney fueled his interest in combining big business, entertainment, and exceptional guest experiences.

To hone his culinary skills, Dennis attended the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York, and later worked with renowned chef Ming Tsai at his PBS show, Simply Ming. He also gained valuable management experience at Brio Tuscan Grille in Winter Park, Florida.

In addition to running Blue Bamboo, Dennis is an adjunct professor at Florida State College at Jacksonville and teaches cooking classes at various venues, including Whole Foods and Publix Aprons. He is the author of two cookbooks: Hip Asian Comfort Food (2009) and Let’s Eat (2022). Dennis has received numerous accolades, including winning the 2018 Neighborhood to Nation recipe contest by General Mills and being named Florida Businessperson of the Year by the Small Business Administration in 2022.

An active philanthropist, Dennis supports several charitable organizations, including the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, and Ronald McDonald House. He also serves on the Jacksonville Tourist Development Council and as president of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Northeast Chapter.

Dennis resides in Jacksonville with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two sons, Bennett and Michael.

Aaron Hoefen

Marriott International, Tampa

Aaron Hoefen is a seasoned hospitality executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience in hotel operations, financial management, and organizational culture development. He currently serves as Dual Hotel Manager of the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and the Tampa Marriott Water Street, a 1,246-room complex with over 150,000 square feet of meeting and event space and 8 food & beverage outlets located in Tampa’s premier Water Street District.

Aaron brings deep expertise in strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting, labor optimization, revenue management, and owner relations. His background includes opening and stabilizing lifestyle hotels, overseeing large-scale full-service and extended-stay assets, and managing complex operations. He is recognized for building disciplined operating environments that drive accountability while fostering high-performing, service-oriented teams.

In addition to his executive role, Aaron is highly active in industry and civic leadership. He serves as Chair of the Marriott Business Council of Tampa Bay, President of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association – Hillsborough, and holds board or advisory roles with Visit Tampa Bay, the Hillsborough County Hotel & Lodging Association, and multiple hospitality and tourism education advisory boards.

Aaron holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration from Florida State University and has completed advanced accounting coursework at the University of Central Florida. He is valued by boards for his operational insight, financial discipline, governance mindset, and commitment to community and workforce development.

Richard Schneider

Chief Operating & Development Officer, AREAS

Richard Schneider – Areas USA

Richard is a top-performing hospitality executive credited with combining brand operations and marketing expertise to deliver substantial revenue growth in highly competitive business markets.  He currently serves as the Chief Operating and  Development Officer of Areas USA, responsible for the company’s growth, operations and leading its business development and operations team to identify, attract and establish new client relationships in the travel hospitality business. Richard is also responsible for government affairs, community engagement, strategic partnerships, and retail strategy.  

While Richard is a highly competent mechanic of day-to-day execution, at his core he is a true culinarian and helped redefine Areas’ culinary culture and strategy. Richard developed many strong culinary relationships across the country in multiple verticals to help design award winning concepts.  He utilizes his expertise and relationships to help foster a culture of excellence and empowerment, with a genuine mentorship approach to leadership.

Before joining Areas USA in 2020, Richard served as Executive Vice President/COO and Head of Foodservice for Spectra responsible for our day-to-day food-related operations across 243 Spectra food venues and the operations of Brulee Catering.  Previously, he was also COO of Delaware North’s Sportservice, COO of Delaware North’s airport food and retail business and Vice President of Hospitality and Guest Services, Gaming and Entertainment. He also held executive positions with Midwest Gaming and Entertainment, Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Entertainment.

Awards

• 2025 IFMA Silver Plate for Travel Hospitality

Board Positions:

• 2025 Chairman of the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors
• 2024 Vice Chair of the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors
• Board of Trustees for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation

Board Member:

• Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Board of Directors
• Trustee of FRLA Education Foundation as a Trustee
• Texas Restaurant Association Board of Directors
• Texas Restaurant Foundation Board of Trustees
• New Castle County Financial Advisory Council Board Member
• Board of Governors of New River Technical College (West Virginia)
• CORE Board Member – which supports restaurant families when they are in need.

Nick Sarra

Partner & Chief Executive Officer, Saltwater Restaurants Inc., Florida Panhandle

FRLA’s 2026 Immediate Past Chairman, Nick Sarra, is Partner and Chief Executive Officer for Saltwater Restaurants Inc. which includes nine iconic high-volume restaurants with over 1,000 employees across the Florida panhandle, as well as a sizable beachfront shopping and dining venue. Sarra’s more than 40-year career began as a busser at the Sonesta Hotel in Connecticut and was followed by an associate degree in Culinary Arts and a bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Johnson & Wales University. His management career started in our nation’s capital in Washington D.C. as part of the Specialty Restaurant Division of Gilbert Robinson, including Charlie’s Place Bar & Grill, H.I. Ribsters, and Hogate’s Seafood. After moving to the Gulf Coast, Sarra operated many well-known establishments before opening his first restaurant 20 years ago. 

Sarra is an active member and past president of the FRLA Board of Directors Northwest Florida Chapter and serves on the Okaloosa County Tourism Development Council.

Carol Dover

Carol B. Dover has served as President/CEO of the more than 10,000 member Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) since June of 1995. Dover is a professional association manager, a lobbyist, a former government executive, and a Florida State University Dedman School of Hospitality graduate with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. She also holds an Honorary Doctorate in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University. In 2024, Dover was inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame.

After graduating from Florida State University in 1978, Dover served as Assistant Director of the Beer Industry of Florida, which familiarized her with the rules, regulations, and tax laws associated with the beverage industry – information which has been beneficial in her role with FRLA.

In 1989, Dover moved inside the halls of the Florida Capitol and was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff, Executive Office of the Governor, serving under the Martinez administration. As Gov. Bob Martinez’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Dover was responsible for the Governor’s appointments, served as his spokesperson, and represented his administration before the Florida Legislature.

Dover’s other professional accomplishments include positions at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Director of the Division of Hotels and Restaurants, the first woman to serve as Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, State Fire Marshall’s Office, and President/CEO of the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association. 

As the FRLA’s President/CEO, Dover works to protect, educate, and promote the diverse interests of Florida’s hospitality industry before the Florida Legislature and lobbying against unfair government regulation. The association represents a nearly $111 billion industry with approximately two million employees.

Dover also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Restaurant Association, American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), Council of State Restaurant Associations (CSRA), International Society of Hotel Association Executives, VISIT FLORIDA, and is Chairwoman of the Board for the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park.

On opening day of the 2003 Legislative Session, Dover was diagnosed with breast cancer and courageously fought to beat the cancer. Dover, a native of Orlando, has been married to her husband Walt for more than 45 years and has three children and three grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities including dressage riding and running.

Bob Dearden

Bob Dearden has served as Chief Financial officer of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) since 2002, with responsibility for the financial stewardship of the more than 10,000-member association, its educational foundation, its three political action committees, and its Regulatory Compliance Services (RCS).

Dearden has a 35-year career in accounting, with his first position as Controller for a regional, Florida-based HMO, HealthPlan Southeast. Subsequently, he entered state government and held numerous accounting and auditing posts, including the development and oversight of an audit unit for the State of Florida’s Comptroller’s Office. Dearden also served as the Director of Audit for the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Dearden has served on both Federal and State of Florida boards, councils and task forces, including the Federal Reserve Advisory Council for travel and tourism, Florida Tax Watch Board of Trustees, and Florida’s Department of State Business Identity Theft Task Force.

He is a graduate of Florida State University with degrees in accounting and finance. In his spare time, Dearden is an avid golfer and has qualified for multiple statewide Championship Tournaments through the Florida State Golf Association.

Geoff Luebkemann

Geoff Luebkemann’s career blends hospitality operations, public service regulatory, and trade association leadership experience. Starting with 15 years in food and beverage operations, Luebkemann worked up from local independents to managing new unit openings across the southeast for a national full-service restaurant company.

In the public sector, Luebkemann served as Director of the DBPR Division of Hotels & Restaurants, Florida’s statewide food and lodging regulator. While there, he oversaw eight offices statewide responsible for over 85,000 licensees and hundreds of thousands of sanitation and safety inspections annually. The Division’s commitment to quality, developed on Luebkemann’s watch, continues today as the Division is a national leader in quality benchmarks for programs of its kind.

Luebkemann joined FRLA senior staff in 2006 as Vice President of the Education and Training Department, leading the Association’s statewide training activity in food safety, Qualified Responsible Vendor alcohol safety, high performance/workforce development, and FRLA’s Regulatory Compliance Services for-profit subsidiary. He is active in numerous state and national industry food safety stakeholder groups, including the national Conference for Food Protection. In 2022, Luebkemann was named Senior Vice President of Service Operations, with duties expanded to include oversight of FRLA’s Membership and Sponsor Relations Department and all statewide field activity for the Association.

Luebkemann holds a degree in Economics from the Florida State University and lives in the Tallahassee neighborhood where he grew up.

Samantha Padgett

General Counsel

Samantha Padgett has served as General Counsel of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association since 2018. She became Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel as of January 2022. Ms. Padgett oversees FRLA’s Government Relations agenda and provides legal counsel and service to the association and its leadership. She serves as an advocate for the restaurant and lodging industries at the federal, state, and local levels. Ms. Padgett serves as the staff liaison to the Government Relations, PAC, Resolutions and Bylaws, and Nominating Committees with the FRLA Board of Directors.

Ms. Padgett is a member of The Florida Bar. She graduated cum laude from the University of Florida College of Law in 2005 and received her B.A. from Emory University in 2001. Ms. Padgett was a member of the inaugural class of Florida’s Gubernatorial Fellowship Program, established by Governor Jeb Bush in 2004. Upon graduating from law school, Ms. Padgett worked in the Office of the Attorney General of Florida for two years as a member of the Attorney General’s Honors Program. Ms. Padgett came to FRLA after 10 years with the Florida Retail Federation (FRF), serving as its Vice President and General Counsel. She has served on the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, the University of Florida Center for Retailing Executive Advisory Board, and the Florida Recycling Partnership Board of Directors.

Samantha enjoys reading, movies, rollercoasters, college football, and being a baseball/soccer mom. She lives in Tallahassee with her husband and two children.

Ashley Chambers

Ashley Chambers joined the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) in 2019, first as Press Secretary before being promoted to Communications Director, where she leads all internal and external communications efforts, including public relations initiatives, media relations, print and digital publications, and social media. She manages FRLA’s brand consistency to enhance the organization’s visibility and impact across Florida’s hospitality industry and supports the organization’s founding mission to protect, educate, and promote Florida’s nearly $112 billion hospitality industry and its two million employees.

Prior to joining FRLA, she served for nearly a decade as the Communications Director for the State of Florida at the Department of Elder Affairs for Governor Rick Scott and Governor Ron DeSantis. Before relocating to Tallahassee, she served in Communications and Advance for Governor Rick Scott’s campaign and inaugural planning teams. She came to Florida after eight years in Washington, D.C. where she served in President George W. Bush’s administration as Political Appointee. There she conducted Presidential Advance and also served as a speechwriter and in various legislative and public affairs positions at the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Ashley graduated Magna Cum Laude and as Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University. She lives in Tallahassee with her husband and two children.

Andie Levings