New Member Bio: Dustin Hayden

We welcomed new member Dustin Hayden of Fifth Third Bank.

Dustin is a husband and father of two. His wife, Jackie, grew up in Strongsville, where their children now attend Strongsville Middle School. Dustin grew up in Middleburg Heights, where his parents still live.

He has been with Fifth Third Bank for 16 years, starting in retail banking after graduating from The Ohio State University. After more than a decade managing the Pearl Road branch, he transitioned into commercial banking, where he now works with mid-sized businesses.

Dustin has been active in the community through the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce, the Strongsville Education Foundation, and the school district’s finance committee. He also shared that his connection to Rotary goes back more than 20 years, attending Chili Open events during the Fred DeNoble and David Kolick era.

Member Spotlight: Dan Cricks

Dan Cricks shared a powerful personal and professional journey shaped by resilience, entrepreneurship, and a desire to give back. Growing up in inner-city Cleveland, he met his mother for the first time at age five and was raised without a father. He later attended Cuyahoga Community College and John Carroll University before beginning his career at Ford Motor Company.

Dan went on to build and grow multiple businesses, including a tavern, a catering company, and three auto repair shops—one of which he scaled from $450,000 to over $1 million in just two years. That success led him into marketing and consulting, where he has spent over two decades as a speaker and strategist, working with clients around the world and co-authoring six books.

Today, Dan describes himself in the “legacy phase” of his career, serving primarily as a fractional Chief Marketing Strategist for small to mid-sized businesses. His focus is on making a meaningful impact—something reflected in the recognition he’s received from clients who credit him with transforming their businesses.

Dan was introduced to Rotary by fellow member Jerry Balint and immediately connected with its mission. Having experienced hardship growing up, he values the opportunity to give back—especially through youth programs and scholarships. His passion for Rotary is evident in his leadership around membership and his commitment to ensuring the club continues to grow and make a difference.

Chili Open 2026 Wrap-Up: Record Results and Looking Ahead

Last Friday’s meeting focused on a wrap-up of the 2026 Chili Open, including member feedback and a review of event performance over the past several years.

A brief member survey indicated a strongly positive overall experience, with particular highlights around attendance, auction success, and the overall energy of the event. Constructive feedback centered primarily on food availability and quality, along with opportunities to improve signage and increase broader club participation.

From a results standpoint, this year’s Chili Open marked a record-breaking success:

• Total Net Proceeds: $115,600 (up from ~$68,000 in prior years)

• Live Auction: $70,100 (significant year-over-year growth)

• Sponsorships: Over $52,000, another all-time high

• Main Raffle: Returned to strong profitability after last year’s dip

The event continues to evolve, with clear progress since its post-COVID return—improving in branding, participation, and overall execution each year.

A key takeaway emphasized by organizers was that this success is driven by the entire club. While major contributors and partners played an important role, the majority of auction items, sponsorships, and ticket sales came directly from member efforts and connections.

Looking ahead, areas of focus for next year include:

• Enhancing food planning for the extended event duration

• Expanding online raffle ticket sales and off-site promotions

• Continuing to refine the balance between growth and venue limitations

The 2027 Chili Open is already scheduled for February 27, with early planning underway to build on this year’s momentum.