2025 Key Speaker: Travis T. Mack
Chairman & CEO, Saalex Corporation
CEO, Valeo Networks
Founder, The Mack Foundation
Founder & Fund Manager, Greenwood Self Storage Funds
Travis Mack is a distinguished entrepreneur, business leader, and the Chairman & CEO of Saalex Corporation, a federal aerospace and defense contractor. With over 25 years of dedication to Saalex, he has played a pivotal role in driving success and growth. Saalex has flourished into a thriving organization, generating over $175 million in annual revenue and employing over 1,200 people nationwide. Mr. Mack provides leadership and direction, developing strategies to ensure Saalex’s continued success while earning admiration among the company’s stakeholders and communities. Notably, Saalex Corporation was awarded the prestigious Small Business of the Year award by the SBA Los Angeles in 2015. He has in-depth expertise in software applications services and defense acquisition contracting.
In addition, Travis Mack has also served as the CEO of Valeo Networks for over 13 years. Valeo is a commercial Information Technology company specializing in cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and network administration for small and medium-sized businesses. Valeo has achieved remarkable success, generating over $20 million in annual revenue and employing over 100 professionals nationwide. Furthermore, Valeo is backed by the renowned Private Equity firm, Siebert, Williams, and Shank, to execute a strategic Mergers & Acquisition consolidation strategy for IT Managed Services Providers. Mr. Mack has completed 10+ company acquisitions, exceeding $50 million in value.
Beyond his contributions to the aerospace, defense, and IT sectors, Travis Mack is also the Founder and Fund Manager of the Greenwood Self Storage Funds, launched in 2022. With a total capitalization of $25 million, this commercial real estate Private Equity fund leverages Mr. Mack's 15 years of expertise in the self-storage vertical to acquire facilities, employ automation and green initiatives to reduce expenses, and drive returns for its investors.
Committed to making a positive impact in society, Travis Mack is the founder of "The Mack Foundation," a philanthropic non-profit organization dedicated to providing support, scholarships, and educational opportunities to underserved communities, particularly children and families. Through this foundation, Mr. Mack aims to empower and uplift those in need.
Prior to his remarkable entrepreneurial journey, Travis Mack served in the U.S. Navy for over 7 years, demonstrating his unwavering dedication and earning recognition as a decorated service-disabled Veteran. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and has been honored with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business from Webber International University. To further enhance his business acumen and leadership skills, Travis has completed prestigious executive programs such as the Senior Executive Management Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, the Junior Executive Management Program at Clark Atlanta University, and graduated from the USC Marshall School of Business Executive Leadership program as well as the UCLA Anderson School of Business Executive Leadership program. Additionally, Travis Mack is a certified Diverse Asset Manager by the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC).
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The BBBC-Suite Conversation with Heiko Dobrikow
Heiko Dobrikow is a seasoned hotelier of over 30 years and a business professional with extensive experience in all areas of 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 flattening them by implementing a Servant Leadership Ideology resulting in a company culture of care while excelling as a high performing organization.
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 Marriott's Bay Point Resort Village in Panama City Beach), Fisher Island Hotel & Resort in Miami, the Casa Marina Resort in Key West, the Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove, the Radisson Deauville Beach Resort and the Hilton Palm Beach Oceanfront Resort. Heiko believes in community involvement and is the Chair of the Broward Workforce Development Board, Past Board Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association – Broward Chapter, Board Member of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Past Board Member of the Winterfest Boat Parade, 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 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 Gavel Award (GFLCC), 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), Men of Style Award (Galleria Fort Lauderdale), Downtowner of the Year (GFLCC), “Terry Stiles" South Florida Business Leadership Award (GFLCC), the Apogee Award (SFBW), the Business Community Ally Award as Business Leader of the Year (GLBX) and most recently the Florida Impact Leadership Award (News Services of Florida).
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 become a 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".
