As Owner and Chief Executive Officer of First Call Hospitality, Inc. Heidi Wilcox is responsible for the company’s performance and strategic vision. She consults with owners, asset managers and lenders to achieve the optimum return on investment for a managed hotel portfolio.
Prior to joining FCH, Heidi began her 30 plus -year career working in hotels starting as a Night Auditor/Guest Services Representative, working her way up to General Manager/Area Director eventually becoming the Executive Director of Training/Systems of Tharaldson Lodging in Fargo, ND.
While working for Tharaldson Lodging she was responsible for assisting in establishing systems and procedures and preparing staff to meet the needs of the aggressive growth of opening 29 hotels in a year In 2002, Heidi joined UP|Stream a subsidiary of Rosenbluth Travel as Director of HR overseeing six call centers in three states. The hotel industry however was her true calling and she joined FCH, while it was known as Dakota Hospitality Company in 2003 as Director of Operations. She has led the Operations and Sales/Marketing focus of the portfolio through 2015 when she was named Chief Executive Officer.
Having served on technology, training and human resources committees for Marriott and Promus as well as being a member of North Dakota State University’s Hotel & Restaurant Management Curriculum Advisory Council and adjunct professor, Heidi has distinguished herself as a sought-after figure in the hospitality industry. She was a member of the Owners Advisory Council for Hilton Garden Inn from 2010 – 2014 serving as the chair the final year. Heidi is currently serving as Chair for the Holiday Inn Brand Owners Committee as well as having served on the Holiday Inn Food & Beverage committee since 2015.
Heidi holds a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Restaurant Management with an emphasis in Restaurants with a minor in Business Administration from North Dakota State University and a MBA from the University of Mary. She was a Board of Visitors member/Co-Chair of the College of Human Development and Education at North Dakota State University, and is a lifetime member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Current role