David Hoffmann

Background

About David Hoffmann

David Hoffmann is the founder and chairman of the Hoffmann Family of Companies, which operates over 200 acquired brands and properties in 30 countries. The company has more than employees at 250 facilities worldwide. Previously the CEO of the Hoffmann Family of Companies, in 2022, he handed day-to-day leadership to sons Greg and Geoff, who now serve as co-CEOs. An entrepreneur and business executive for decades, he founded DHR International (now DHR Global) and helped grow it into the world’s largest independently held executive search firm. Likewise, he has helped grow Osprey Capital, LLC, into a diversified family investment office. Today, the Hoffmann Family of Companies operates businesses in 8 growing sectors, including: Agriculture Aviation & Transportation Financial & Professional Services Hospitality & Entertainment Manufacturing Marine Media & Marketing Real Estate The firm’s real estate subsidiary, Hoffmann Commercial Real Estate, manages assets worth more than $1 billion across the U.S. It has made notable mixed-use development investments in communities such as Mackinac Island (Michigan), Winnetka (Illinois), and Naples (Florida). He is currently focused on a $150 million effort to turn the Augusta, Missouri, area — the first federally recognized wine-growing region in the United States — into a globally recognized viticultural producer and wine tourism destination. The aim, Mr. Hoffmann has said, is to make Augusta “the Napa Valley of the Midwest.” Notable Augusta brands it operates include Augusta Emporium, Augusta Golf Club, Augusta Vineyard Tours, and Augusta Winery. The Augusta-area project is an opportunity to give back to a part of the world to which he retains deep connections. He grew up in rural Missouri with no running hot water until he was a teen and attended Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) on a football scholarship before transferring to the University of Central Missouri (UCM). In recognition of his inspiring life story, he earned a Horatio Alger Award and an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from UCM in 2023. He made the Forbes Billionaires List in 2022 and 2023. David Hoffmann and Jerri, married for over 50 years, are active philanthropists. Through the Hoffmann Foundation, they support organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Naples, JDRF (a childhood diabetes research institution), Brightpoint (formerly called Children’s Home & Aid Society), and the Everglades Foundation. They also serve on the board of trustees for The Naples Children & Education Foundation.