2024 Wall of Fame - Bill DeRodes
Bill DeRodes
Congratulations to Bill DeRodes on being named the 2024 Wall of Fame Award recipient!
When Bill DeRodes launched D+S Distribution in 1986, he started with three tractor-trailers to serve Rubbermaid. Little did he know, the company would become the vehicle to drive greater community involvement.
After the founding of D+S, its growth and getting more connected in the community, “I became more aware of the various community needs that required attention and support in terms of volunteer time and financial support,” DeRodes said.
DeRodes’ response to that realization has led to him being the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce Wall of Fame recipient for 2024.
“Bill’s strong business sense and involvement have been great for the Wooster community,” Samira Zimmerly, president of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce said. “We are grateful for his dedication to Wooster. The Chamber is thrilled to add Bill to the Wall of Fame.”
“This honor was a total surprise to me,” DeRodes said. “When I look at the Wall of Fame pictures of the past 33 awardees, I recognize all their business and community involvement and the difference each one of them has made in our community. I consider my selection to join this unique group of individuals as an honor I will hold as the greatest accomplishment in my business career.”
DeRodes, a Wooster native, grew up around the trucking industry. His father operated a small one working with the U.S. Postal Service. After graduating from Kent State University, he worked for a Fortune 100 distribution company. When Bill’s father suddenly passed away, Bill decided to begin his own trucking business. 1990 was the company’s first warehousing opportunity. Transporting product for Volvo GM Heavy Trucks created a need for temporary storage of product.
The first warehouse in Wooster, Ohio opened at the request of Jon Ansel, then purchasing director for Volvo. The Wooster warehouse success spurred an additional warehouse in Dublin, Virginia supporting Volvo’s Dublin plant. In addition to warehousing and transportation, a wide variety of sub- assembly, packaging and value added services were supported by D+S Distribution.
Over the years, the company has expanded to approximately 21 facilities, over 3 million square feet of warehouse space availability and a variety of customized technology solutions. In 2015, DeRodes began to transition out of the ownership of D+S Distribution, the Chamber’s 2009 Business of the Year.
Through the years he has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors, the board of the Wayne County Community Foundation, the board of Meals on Wheels, and was president of the United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties.
DeRodes and D+S have been longtime supporters of the Wooster Hope Center’s Greater Wayne County Food Pantry. DeRodes spent 36 years serving his church as a Sunday school teacher and has held various council positions.
“My role on the various community boards helped me become aware of how real the needs are in our community,” DeRodes said. “We all have to help in some way, no matter how much or how little. As long as we give of our time and resources, we can and will make a difference in and for our community.”
While the business success of DeRodes provided the wherewithal to support community initiatives financially, that success has also helped support hundreds of families.
In 2009, DeRodes and a partner came together to save a business and some jobs when the two bought Wooster Appliance. The company had closed its doors after 40 years, and DeRodes “hated to see it die.”
“I think the greatest contribution the D+S Distribution family of companies has made to not only Wooster but the many other communities we operate in as well, is the factor of economic growth,” DeRodes said. “The creation of many jobs and employment opportunities at all levels of our company, our significant investment in equipment and facilities, and the significant tax generation at all levels of government.”
As DeRodes reflected on how his connections helped him become better, he offered this advice to those looking to make a positive impact on the community and industry:
“First of all, what area of the community provides an interest and excites a passion in you to want to help, make a difference and offer change?” he said. “Then volunteer to help in any way you can. There are so many different needs in every community. Just follow your passion and heartfelt desire where you are willing to help make a difference in any way you can.”
Bill has played a vital role in the success of the Wooster area and continues to be actively involved in sustaining a strong community.