Jacob Gelt Dekker

Who is Jacob Gelt Dekker?

Jacob Gelt Dekker is a Dutch businessman.

Dekker attended school between 1961 and 1967 in Alkmaar and later studied dentistry in Amsterdam. He received an Executive MBA from Erasmus University of Rotterdam and the University of Rochester.

Following his education, Dekker created a series of entrepreneurial inventions, including the Splash gyms and One Hour Super Photo service, which Kodak later purchased. In 1981, he took over Budget Rent a Car in the Netherlands.

In 1998, the Island Government of Curaçao granted Dekker permission to renovate a derelict quarter of the historic neighbourhood of Otrobanda into a hotel and casino. On the same premises, Dekker founded the Kura Hulanda museum, with 10 collections describing the slave trade.

In recent years, Dekker has involved himself in politics. In 2006, the Governor of the Netherlands Antilles awarded Dekker the prestigious Order of Orange-Nassau.