Rod Ricciardi is a business leader and asset to the automotive industry. His long-term history of revamping struggling auto dealerships into modern successes has molded him a unique and valuable position within the industry. His business savvy, strong leadership skills, eye for detail and critical oversight have earned him a long, promising and fruitful career.

The extension of Rod Ricciardi’s skills does not end there, however. He has always had a love for community and a desire to do more for the people and infrastructure surrounding him. In January of 2008, Ricciardi founded the Find a Dream organization. This registered 501(c)3 is a non-profit designed to elevate self-esteem levels in younger populations through a slew of extra-curricular and after-school activities.

Find a Dream is founded on getting kids involved with activities that will aid personal development while also reducing the risk of drug abuse, gang activity and other perilous factors that challenge the growth of an individual. The program offers computer labs, music lessons, martial arts training, boxing and more as alternatives for idle time that young minds can embrace.

To bring Find a Dream to fruition, Ricciardi comprised a dream-team of professional athletes who came together for the better good. Among Ricciardi’s knockout staff are professional boxers and martial artists “Merciless” Ray Mercer, James Walter “Buddy” McGirt, Bobby “Matinee Idol” Czyz, Michael Moorer, Don Steele and Sifu John Bruce Daniels.

This giving, albeit intimidating group of board members, is directed by the entrepreneurship of Riccardi, Ray Mercer and Jeff Youngman. Together, these minds have found ways to put every staff member’s talents to their full potential, pushing Find a Dream as an organization that uses as much brains as they do heart and muscle to improve their communities. Find a Dream’s mission statement is as follows:

“The mission of the Find A Dream team is to attain a safe and supportive environment for youth and young adults of diverse social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. While interacting with positive role models, our students will achieve a solid foundation in the pursuit of their dreams. Our program has already demonstrated that hands-on and personable coaching will enable our students to become future mentors and leaders in the community.”

About: Find a Dream, a charitable organization founded by Rod Ricciardi and a dream-team of business professionals and athletes.