The Hall of Fame celebrates those who embody the qualities that make the Dedman College of Hospitality at Florida State University an unparalleled place to learn. Inductees are individuals who have excelled in their careers and have made significant contributions to the Dedman College of Hospitality mission.
The Hall of Fame will be presented at the annual Honors & Awards Dinner that will take place in October.
The criteria for selection:
- Exceptional career background
- Significant professional recognition (industry/association awards)
- Community involvement and recognition
- Support of the Dedman College of Hospitality and Florida State University
2026 Hall of Fame
Jay Johnson
Executive Advisor, Wine and Spirits
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John Rivers
Founder & CEO, 4Roots Farm and 42 Acres
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John Rivers is the Founder and CEO of 4Roots Farm, a groundbreaking $100M+ non-profit urban farm campus working to revolutionize the food system through sustainable agriculture, consumer education, culinary medicine, and advanced soil and enzyme research.
John also serves as the Founder and CEO of 42 Acres, an innovation platform advancing technologies that transform waste into resources and restore soil health. At 42 Acres, he founded a portfolio of pioneering companies—BioHarmony Solutions, PolyVern Technologies, and Acterra Enzyme Labs— focused on creating closed-loop solutions that connect agriculture, and biotechnology to solve global plastic and food waste crises.
Earlier in his career, John spent 20 years in healthcare, culminating as President of a billion-dollar company before following his passion and founding 4 Rivers Smokehouse. From its humble beginnings in his garage, 4Rivers has grown to 31 locations and established positions in Publix, Walmart, and Costco. 4Rivers has been recognized as “The South’s Best BBQ” by Southern Living and “#1 BBQ Chain” by MSN.
John has been named as one of Restaurant Business’s “Power 20,” Restaurateur of the Year by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, OBJ’s Philanthropist of the Year, and as one of Orlando “50 Most Powerful, 15 to Watch”. He has cooked at the prestigious James Beard House and twice been a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
John splits his time between Orlando and Asheville and remains deeply committed to education, community development, the arts, and advancing regenerative innovation.
Past Recipients
| Year | Recipient | Position | Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Rob Morris | Owner/Operator | Chick-Fil-A |
| 2025 | Andrew Rubinacci | Chief Commercial Officer | FLYR Hospitality |
| 2024 | Chris Burr | Director of Nontraditional Development | Dunkin' Brands |
| 2024 | Jane Ohlin | Associate Professor | FSU Dedman College of Hospitality |
| 2023 | Rick Brawner | Entrepreneur | |
| 2022 | Nancy and Robert H. Dedman, Sr. | Founder | ClubCorp |
| 2021 | Tony Leung ('68) | Owner/Entrepreneur | Subway Franchise |
| 2020 | Joe Collier ('84) | President | Mainsail Lodging and Development |
| 2019 | Clint Day ('82) | Chief Operating Officer | Restoration Place |
| 2018 | Brian Ford ('89) | CEO | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 2017 | Janine Budzius ('86) | General Manager & CEO | Philadelphia Country Club |
| 2016 | Dale Haney ('78) | President | Gate Hospitality Group |
| 2015 | Ted Mosley (’69) | President & CEO | Quorum Hotels & Resorts |
| 2014 | Ed Crovo (’69) | Chief Operating Officer | HV Global Group, Inc. |
| 2013 | Ty Helms ('79) | Senior VP of Global Sales | Hyatt Hotel Corporation |
| 2012 | Carol Dover ('78) | President & CEO | Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association |
| 2011 | John Culver ('82) | President | Starbucks Coffee |
| 2010 | Joseph Douglas ('83) | Co-Founder Managing Member |
Captiva Restaurant Group Carlsen Douglas Development |
| 2009 | David Gilbert ('78) | Chief Operating Officer | National Restaurant Association |
| 2008 | Anne Hamilton ('78) | VP of Resort Sales & Services | Walt Disney World Resort |
| 2007 | Chuck Floyd ('81) | COO of North American Operations | Global Hyatt |
| 2006 | Cyd Bougae (’75) | SVP of Professional Development | CMAA |
| 2005 | Bill Wagner (’67) | General Manager & COO | Shadow Wood Country Club |
| 2004 | Jeff O’Hara (’88) | President | AlliedPRA New Orleans |
| 2003 | Jeff Bell (’83) | Executive Vice President | Hillstone Restaurant Company |
| 2002 | Peter Hubschmitt ('67) | Regional Manager | Marriott |
| 2001 | Chris Borders (’75) | General Manager & COO | Atlanta Athletic Club |
| 2000 | Ashby Gordon Stiff, Jr. (’57) | Professor Emeritus in Hospitality | Florida State University |
| 1999 | Gabriel Brady ('61) | VP of Sales & Marketing | Gate Gourmet |
| 1998 | Martha Ann Hall-Ambrosio ('57) | Partner & Vice President | Controlled Cuisine |
| 1997 | Ken Creely (’66) | President & CEO | Golf Management Solutions |
| 1996 | James R. Steiner, Jr. (’75) | Partner | Abbott Realty |
| 1995 | Jim Riscigno (’66) | Executive Vice President | ClubCorp |
| 1994 | Ed Staros (’72) | Founder & Executive Vice President | Ritz-Carlton Hotels |