If you live in Daytona Beach or the surrounding areas, you’ve most likely heard or seen the name Mori Hosseini.
In this spotlight, we’ll take a look at Mori’s business, civic, and community accomplishments and honors, and we’ll also give you the inside scoop on what makes this successful businessman tick.
Florida’s Custom Home Builder
Mori is the Chairman and CEO of ICI Homes, which he founded in 1980.
Consistently ranked by Builder Magazine among the nation’s Top 100 homebuilders, ICI Homes has built thousands of homes in most major Florida markets including the counties of Volusia (where it is headquartered), Flagler, St. Johns, Duval, Nassau, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and Brevard.
Always “On Board” to Lead
In addition to running our company, Mori serves on several corporate, civic and public boards and associations, including:
Board of Governors – State University System of Florida, Chairman of the Board; Chairman of the Appointments Committee and Chairman of Tuition Appeals Committee Board Member – Florida Higher Education Coordinating Council Board of Directors – International Speedway Corporation Board of Trustees – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Chairman of the Board; Chairman of the Committee on Trustees and Chairman of the Committee on Facilities and Capital Planning Chairman of the Board – Allstar Building Materials Chairman of the Board – Southern Title Family of Companies
His Greatest Passion
Mori’s greatest passion is working to improve higher education. His goals include improving Florida’s university system by increasing the number of college graduates in a 4-year period as well as offering more programs and majors that produce good, high-paying jobs throughout Florida…both which could set a new standard for Florida’s higher education system.
“Mori Hosseini in his singular passion has had an impact on this institution. His imprimatur is all over the place,” said John Johnson, Embry-Riddle President. “He is a genius when it comes to being able to manage effectively to get the most out of people.”
Awards & Recognition
Through the years Mori has been recognized for his countless professional, industry, civic and personal contributions to the community and the nation. The honors include:
2013 Doctorate of Humane Letters, Honorary Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2011 Hearthstone Humanitarian Award, Builder Magazine 2010Glenn and Connie Ritchey Community Service Award – Council on Aging 2010(5) Proclamations: “Mori & Forough Hosseini Day” by Volusia County Council, Volusia County School Board, City of Daytona Beach, City of Ormond Beach, City of Port Orange, Florida 2009Spirit of Hope Award – Habitat for Humanity 2007Home Builders Association – Inducted into the Hall of Fame 2007 Opening and Dedication: “The Mori Hosseini Center”– Daytona State College 2006 Ellis Island Medal of Honor ? Entered into the United States Congressional Record 2006 Lou Fuchs Award ? Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce 2006Builder of the Year, ICI Homes – Northeast Florida Builders Association 2002 Dedication: “ICI Center”– Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2002 Declaration: June 6, 2002 as “Mori Hosseini Day” – Volusia County Council 2001 Community Leadership Award – City of Daytona Beach 2001 Salvation Army Leadership Award 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006 Recognition Award – Habitat for Humanity 1998Builder of the Year – Volusia Homebuilders Association 1997Enterprise Award – Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce 1994 Entrepreneur of the Year, Construction and Real Estate Industry – Ernst & Young/Merrill Lynch Florida
“To me, philanthropy is easy,” Hosseini says. “Giving a gift, whether it’s time or money, there’s nothing more important than to have the capacity to give.”
12 Things You Didn’t Know About Mr.Hosseini
Here at ICI, we’re lucky to get to know Mori on a personal level. Here are a few things you probably didn’t know about our CEO:
1. His first name is really Morteza, adapted by all as “Mori”.
2. He was born in Iran and was primarily educated in London, England, where he received a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Chelsea College. He wanted to be a pilot and is still excited by airplanes. Perhaps this explains his Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Studies and Master of Business Administration from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
When Mori joined the Embry-Riddle Board in 1999, he made it a priority to plan for the university’s future. “My biggest accomplishment has been the creation of a master plan for the university that for the next 50 years will set us in very good shape for growth. We’re thinking of 50 years from now, not just today,” he says.
3. He likes to have a big selection of colognes on hand to choose from.
4. Mori loves to kibitz with people (ask his poor executive assistant, Nicole Keeley); he loves to wager, be careful – you probably won’t win.
5. He loves to play golf; he’s not an accomplished golfer but he’ll prevail when he bets you on a hole – every single time!
6. He is a pro-networker and displayed entrepreneurial instincts at a very early age. In elementary school, he convinced his fourth-grade classmates to invest in a plan for an alternative concession stand which became an instant success. Two years later before graduation, Mori and his friends sold their stock to younger classmates.
7. Mori always does what he says he’s going to do! That is an undisputed fact! “Whatever I decide to do, I always look at what the end goal is, whether it’s in fundraising, business, anything,” Hosseini says.
8. He is a wine connoisseur; Petrus French Cabernet, Silver Oak Cabernet, and Silver Oak Merlot are among his favorites.
9. His wife, Forough, says that Mori believes he tells really funny jokes and she says that is debatable (especially when he spouts out the punch line first).
10. He doesn’t need much sleep; only sleeps 4-5 hours a night – max!
11. Mori swears he comes up with his greatest ideas and solutions in the shower…
12. At the beginning of this year, Mori made Embry-Riddle history by becoming the first alumnus to chair the university’s Board of Trustees. On the very same day, he also became chairman of the Board of Governors for the State University System of Florida – which provides oversight and direction to 12 Florida public universities!
