Breakfast Briefing and Entrepreneurial Award Ceremony: November 2025
7:45AM Registration & Networking
8:00AM Breakfast Buffet Opens
8:30AM Program
9:00AM Award Ceremony
9:15AM Event Concludes
Pricing
Chamber Member: $40
Non-member: $60
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November is National Entrepreneurship Month—a time to celebrate the bold spirit of entrepreneurs and innovators who turn ideas into action, challenges into opportunities, and vision into impact. These trailblazers fuel economic growth, drive innovation, and inspire change through creativity, resilience, and leadership. This month, we honor their contributions and reaffirm our commitment to fostering a strong, dynamic, and globally competitive economy.
Join us for an engaging conversation with entrepreneur Rafi Rodriguez, Retired Colonel, USAF and President of Rodriguez Financial Strategies, LLC. Rafi will share insights from his journey “Success with an Accent” offering perspectives on leadership, community involvement, and building a successful financial services firm. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand from a local entrepreneur who has turned vision into impact.
About the speaker: Colonel (Ret.) Jose “Rafi” Rodriguez, USAF, is President of Rodríguez Financial Strategies, LLC, and a Retirement Income Certified Professional®. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, he served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force in roles spanning ballistic missile operations, intelligence, and foreign military sales, retiring as a Colonel in 2004. Rafi is deeply involved in the Dayton region, serving on numerous boards including the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, and is a past president of multiple business and cultural organizations. Honored in both the Ohio and Greene County Veterans Halls of Fame, he continues to champion veterans’ causes, youth STEM education, and community service initiatives.
Winsupply Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence: The program will conclude with a ceremony honoring the winners of the 2025 Winsupply Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. The award recognizes an individual(s) who exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. Through their creativity, resilience and determination, they have established and nurtured successful business ventures in the Dayton region.
The winners of the 2025 Winsupply Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence are: Aaron Davis, Founder & Search Consultant at Reliant Search Group and Whitney Sharp, Owner of Kramers Tavern Dayton.
Entrepreneur Month and Award Sponsored By:
Breakfast Briefing Sponsors:
Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling Co., LPA, KeyBank and altafiber
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