David Hoffmann is a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist. As the founder and chairman of Hoffmann Family of Companies, he oversees a family-owned network of enterprises that employs over 28,000 people worldwide. This network includes more than 200 distinct brands and properties spanning 30 countries.
In 1989, David founded DHR Global (formerly DHR International) and built it into one of the largest privately held executive search firms in the world. That success laid the foundation for Hoffmann Family of Companies, a diversified enterprise with a private equity arm led by his son Geoff and a real estate arm led by his son Greg, which has since grown into one of the largest family offices globally.
David has been named to the Forbes World’s Billionaires List for five consecutive years and currently ranks as the 456th-richest American, with a net worth of $3.4 billion. He was ranked No. 45 on Forbes’ Greatest Self-Made Americans list and was recently named to Forbes 250: America’s Greatest Builders.
A widely recognized champion of local journalism, David was featured in Forbes’ “This Billionaire Wants to Save America’s Newspapers. He Thinks He’s Found a Way.” In 2025, Hoffmann Media Group, which he solely owns, acquired the Washington Missourian, the newspaper in his Missouri hometown. Six months later, he led a $50 million investment to take a controlling interest in Lee Enterprises and became Chairman of the Board. Together, Lee Enterprises and Hoffmann Media Group now operate 193 newspapers and seven radio stations across 28 states, making them the second-largest newspaper owner in the U.S.
David also owns three professional hockey teams: the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) and the Florida Everblades (ECHL). He is the only person to own teams in all three tiers of professional hockey.
David’s achievements, particularly given the adversity he faced growing up, earned him the Horatio Alger Award in 2023. He also received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Central Missouri, his alma mater, where he served as the 2022 Commencement Speaker.
Beyond business, David and his wife, Jerri, are deeply committed to giving back. Few places reflect their philanthropic legacy more vividly than Naples, Florida, where they have made transformational investments in education, healthcare, the arts and community development. Their support has strengthened institutions including the Naples Players, Naples Botanical Garden, Naples Zoo, Neighborhood Health Clinic and Florida Gulf Coast University.
David was recently honored with the National Football Foundation’s Community Service Award, recognizing his transformative influence on Collier County and his longstanding commitment to service. He and Jerri were also inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame of Southwest Florida.
Throughout his career, David has served on numerous boards, including Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Lawrence Hall, North Shore Hospitals, the Regional Business Council of St. Louis, Junior Achievement of Chicago, the Olin School of Business National Council at Washington University, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Foundation and the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis.
David and Jerri met as high school sweethearts in rural Missouri and have shared more than 50 years together. They are proud parents of three children and grandparents to 13.
David’s legacy will be defined not only by the scale of his business success, but by his devotion to family, his commitment to local journalism, his philanthropic impact and his unwavering belief in building stronger, more resilient communities.