PRINCIPLE

Richard A. D’Onofrio

FOUNDER Savewave Energy

Richard Donofrio is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has developed, established, and expanded businesses across various industry sectors including real estate, hospitality, restaurants, and energy. He attributes his success to his generational core family values, and work ethic. These values have formed the foundation of his beliefs and ideals in all aspects of his life.

As a founding partner of Urban 2000 Corporation, Richard Donofrio negotiated exclusive rights for Days Inn in eleven states and expanded the brand, franchising 250 Days Inn locations that offered amenities typical of luxury brand hotels. He later co-founded Arlington Hospitality, Inc., known as Amerihost Properties, Inc. Under his leadership, the company expanded throughout the United States and Canada, went public, and became the nation’s largest owner and licensee of Amerihost Inn Hotels, with over 100 hotel properties in 20 states and Canada. The Amerihost brand emerged as the leading mid-priced limited-service hotel chain.

Richard’s entrepreneurial ventures also include creating the first Chinese fast-service restaurant chain, which he expanded to over 60 locations across the United States. He facilitated the company’s growth through private and public capital raises, including an initial public offering. His expertise in business development and capital markets, along with his ability to recognize market voids and grow operations opportunistically, led to the successful establishment and expansion of various companies.

In 2009, after researching the energy sector which allowed consumers a choice in their supplier of electricity and natural gas, following the industry’s deregulation and as Illinois deregulated its energy market, Richard founded DM AND ASSOCIATES ENERGY, LLC dba SAVEWAVE ENERGY which operates in all the deregulated states.

Today, DM AND ASSOCIATES ENERGY, LLC is one of the nation’s premier energy procurement service firms.

Through Richards’s dedicated leadership and vision, DM AND ASSOCIATES ENERGY, LLC dba SAVEWAVE ENERGY combines experience, expertise, and technology to simplify the energy planning, procurement, and management process. Its comprehensive energy solutions include budget and usage consulting, strategic risk management and market intelligence, energy efficiency consulting, renewable and sustainable energy solutions.

As a founder of both public and private companies, Richard Donofrio brings strategic management and operational experience. He collaborates with corporate executives and their management teams to structure capital raises, including public offerings and private equity. Richard resides in Chicago, Illinois, where he oversees his business operations and real estate investments. He is a graduate of Castle Heights Military Academy and Youngstown State University. He actively participates in development and fundraising for the university, as well as the philanthropic endeavors he supports.