Ervan Rodgers, II

Rodgers is a nationally recognized technology leader with over 25 years of experience driving innovation across public and private sectors. Currently serving as Vice President of Information Technology at Duluth Trading Company, Rodgers oversees enterprise technology strategy and IT operations.

Rodgers holds a Master of Information Strategy, Systems, and Technology (MISST) from Muskingum University and a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University.

His accomplishments have earned national recognition, including being named Top 10 Retail Chief Information Officer by Retail Tech Insights and receiving the ORBIE Chief Information Officer of the Year for Ohio Enterprise in 2023. He was also honored as a Government Technology Top 25 Doer, Dreamer, and Driver and received the Golden Gov Visionary State Executive award in 2021.

Rodgers first became passionate about Corvettes through the example his father set in his formative years. His father owned over 10 Corvettes and would often take him for drives and let him help detail them. It was this influence that would shape his outlook on what it meant to be “Gas Drunk”. Rodgers fulfilled his dream of owning his own Corvette in 2011 by purchasing a 2005 Monterey Red C6 Convertible. His wife later encouraged him to order his very first new car, and he acquired a fully loaded, limited-edition 2022 C8-R, #19 out of 1,000, in an accelerated yellow finish. This was produced to honor the 2020 IMSA championship-winning race cars, as the “R” stands for racing. When picking up his car, he met the Chosen Few Vette Club, which ultimately helped him combine his love for corvettes with community service. It was a full circle from his childhood with his father to sharing this same love with the next generation of Corvette owners.

Rodgers’ first professional job was working for EDS (Electronic Data Systems) as a technology helpdesk agent. He often took calls from GM employees and executives to help resolve technical support issues. This included taking calls from GM’s Corvette Division.

Rodgers has been an active member of the Chosen Few Vette Club since December 2021. Royce Martin appointed him Vice President in March 2022, and he soon started digitizing the club’s traditional practices to help ensure its longevity for future generations.  Rodgers became President of the Chosen Few Vette Club, based in Columbus, Ohio, in December 2022 and, in collaboration with the founding fathers, immediately established an executive leadership team. Their core mission was to significantly elevate the club’s community engagement. A key part of this strategy involved securing corporate partnerships to expand the club’s mission and funding beyond its existing network.

Under his leadership, the club has executed several major community initiatives:

• Shoe Donation: Partnered with DSW Shoe Warehouse and Community of Caring to donate 1,000 new pairs of shoes to children in underserved areas of Columbus, Ohio.
• Toys for Tots: Collaborated with the Columbus Division of Police and Toys for Tots to provide three full-size truckloads of toys to children in need for five consecutive years.
• Summer Programs: Partnered with the Safelite Foundation to enhance four recreational summer programs for children, providing new toys, Legos, a video game truck, and an ice cone truck for refreshments.
• Support for the Unhoused: Supported BBlessed 2 Ministries by providing financial donations and serving as security for their annual event, aimed at assisting the unhoused population.
• Lego & Literacy: In partnership with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and Boy Genius, free Lego sets were provided by Chosen Few Vette Club with an aim to increase STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) awareness with mentorship for boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 11.

Rodgers also co-founded a digital network for Black Corvette Presidents nationwide. This initiative was established to facilitate vital communication and rapid information sharing among clubs of all sizes. The network has grown quickly in partnership with other Presidents and Founders, significantly improving the distribution of information among Corvette enthusiasts of all generations. Rodgers plans to leverage his technical expertise for phase 2 of this initiative, focusing on advanced virtual connectivity to further benefit the entire community.