Rhodes Companies Names New Presidents to Lead Operating Company Growth as It Celebrates Milestones Across Its Businesses

COLUMBIA, S.C. (January 21, 2025) – Rhodes Companies, a leading holding company focused on community impact, is proud to announce the promotion of W. Jason Phelps to President of Rhodes Graduation Services and Dan Wyar to President of Rhodes Branding. These leadership appointments come as Rhodes Graduation Services prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, marking a new chapter of growth and leadership for the organization.
“At Rhodes Companies, we believe that empowering great leaders is the key to achieving sustainable success,” said Thomas Rhodes, Partner at Rhodes Companies. “These promotions recognize the incredible contributions that Jason and Dan have made to our organization and their ability to drive growth, innovation, and operational excellence in their respective companies. Their leadership ensures we continue delivering exceptional value to our clients, employees, and the communities we serve.”
Rhodes Graduation Services (RGS), the largest independent Jostens distributor in the industry, has been helping students and schools celebrate milestone achievements since 1975. With seven offices across five states, RGS has become a trusted partner for schools throughout the United States. Jason Phelps, who has served as Vice President of RGS for the past 5 years and has been with the company for 26 years, will now take on the role of President. In this role, Jason will oversee all aspects of RGS’s operations as it continues to innovate and expand its services to schools and students.
“It’s an exciting time for RGS as we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary next year,” said Jason. “I’m honored to take on this expanded role and look forward to continuing to serve our schools, communities, and the incredible team that makes our success possible.”
Rhodes Branding is a full-service strategic branding and marketing agency dedicated exclusively to education. With a deep understanding of the cultural nuances and challenges education faces today, Rhodes Branding empowers its clients to resonate with their communities in meaningful ways. From enrollment marketing to recruitment strategies, the agency delivers culturally relevant solutions that strengthen reputations, build trust, and drive measurable results. Rhodes Branding has experienced tremendous growth under Dan’s leadership and he has been instrumental in building the company into a national leader in providing marketing and branding expertise to clients nationwide. As President, Dan will lead the next phase of Rhodes Branding’s growth, focusing on expanding its service offerings and deepening client relationships.
“As we enter this new chapter for Rhodes Branding, I am deeply honored and energized by the opportunity to lead such an exceptional team,” said Dan. “Our work has always been about empowering schools to connect more meaningfully with their communities. I look forward to building on our success and driving innovation that continues to make a tangible impact in education nationwide.”
“These promotions are about recognizing the leadership and talent that drives the success of Rhodes Companies every day,” said Austin Rhodes, Partner at Rhodes Companies. “Thomas and I, as brothers and Partners, remain deeply committed to the strategic growth of the holding company, including identifying new opportunities for expansion and ensuring the success of our businesses. With Jason and Dan stepping into their new roles, we are confident that Rhodes Graduation Services and Rhodes Branding are well-positioned to continue delivering exceptional results and creating meaningful impact.”
Rhodes Companies, led by Austin and Thomas Rhodes, focuses on its mission of positively impacting local communities through values-focused businesses. As the company looks to the future, these leadership promotions mark an important step in strengthening its ability to serve communities nationwide.