As a kid growing up in Corpus Christi, Texas, Don Rodriguez was fascinated with taking things apart and
then putting them back together again - just to see how they worked. This desire to really understand
how things operate parlayed itself into a successful 32-year career in the foodservice industry, including
sixteen years with Sysco Hampton Road. While at Sysco, Don held several positions in marketing and
business development, managed annual sales of 59 million, won multiple District Manager of the Year
and District of the Year awards, and exceeded profit plan goals on numerous occasions.
Now retired, Don looks for opportunities to use his continued fascination with “how things work” to
help others succeed professionally and personally. Toward that end, he has proudly been a Connect
With a Wish Board member since 2016. He also holds a chair position with the Harbor Walk 1 Ocean
Sports Kayak Committee, and has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.
Don is married to the love of his life, Cindy, and has four daughters. He enjoys fishing, kayaking,
traveling, playing racquetball, reading American history, and watching football and baseball. In all that
he does, he strives to live according to his favorite motto - Difficult and meaningful will always bring
more satisfaction than easy and meaningless.