Executive Search in the Dayton Region: What "Entrepreneurial Excellence" Means to Us

It’s not just about winning an award - it’s about hiring the people that are hard to find.

Aaron Davis of Reliant Search Group, winner of a 2025 Winsupply Award For Entrepreneurial Excellence.

As a premier executive search firm serving the Dayton region, our mission at Reliant Search Group has always been distinct. While we are deeply honored that our Founder, Aaron Davis, recently received the Winsupply Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence from the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, the recognition isn't just about a trophy.

In his recent interview with the Chamber, Aaron discussed what actually matters most to our clients: the strategic work of expert recruitment, senior leader search and contractor staffing, and the community we are building together.

We Hire the "Hard to Find"

Explaining the nuances of executive search can sometimes feel complicated. But as Aaron put it in his interview, we’ve learned to say it very simply: "We hire people that are hard to find."

Our empathy lies with the leaders and founders who are in the thick of scaling their organizations. There comes a tipping point in every growing company where a leader can no longer be involved in every single interview, yet the stakes for those strategic roles - from Directors to CIOs - are higher than ever.

The most valuable thing we do as a staffing partner is helping employers "understand and articulate exactly what it is they need this critical hire to accomplish." When that alignment is clear, vetting candidates becomes sharper. It also makes negotiation easier because the candidate feels that alignment - they can see exactly how they fit into the business’s future.

Accountability in the Dayton Community

One of the reasons we are so committed to the Dayton region is the unique culture of accountability here. Aaron noted that in Dayton, "you're accountable for familiarity... people are going to know and remember you."

This familiarity keeps us honest. It creates a genuine sense of care that is rare in the industry. We know many other entrepreneurs and executives across the region - some running established firms, others driving rapid growth - and we genuinely care about their success, just as we have experienced them caring about ours.

"Being Built" Together

This award was nominated by our customers, which makes it the ultimate compliment. It validates that we are meaningful to the businesses we serve.

This concept of continuous growth is also the heartbeat of our BEING BUILT Podcast. While our daily work is vetting talent, the podcast allows us to sit down with the CIOs, VPs, and Directors we work with to discuss the realities of leadership and legacy. It is all part of the same ecosystem: connecting with leaders who are serious about building something that lasts.

A Team Win

Finally, while Aaron's name is on the award, he was quick to remind everyone that this is a collective effort: "My team helped me win this award because I depend on them and they're really good at what they do."

Sam Hatter, Alea Clark, Aaron Davis & Nina Ramundo - Reliant Search Group (Executive Search Dayton)

From the daily diligence of our search consultants to the support of our families (Aaron’s wife was reportedly back in "cheerleader mode" sharing the news!), this is a shared victory.

Thank you to the Dayton Chamber, Winsupply, and most importantly, our clients who trust us to find the people who are hard to find.