About Dan

Born in Dayton, Ohio, the son of a police officer and a nurse, Dan spent his early years as a typical middle class youngster. Growing up in the 70’s, he experienced lessons in economics first hand as unemployment and inflation hit close to home when his own father had to leave his job and struggled with finding work. The experience instilled the value of hard work, so Dan started his first job at 14 cleaning-up at a local lumber yard. Although he was involved in many extracurricular activities, Dan continued to work through high school and eventually became the youngest salesman in the company. Also following in the footsteps of his parents, he looked for opportunities to serve in the community through organizations such as the Boy Scouts, where Dan earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Heading off to college during the Reagan years had a profound impact on Dan. When arrived at Bowling Green State University, he intended to pursue of a career of service in medicine, but quickly realized another calling. The economy was finally growing and there were lucrative opportunities in medicine, but Dan’s interest in world events and service led him to join the Air Force ROTC program. Although a career as a physician was the plan, it didn’t take long before Dan realized his real goal was to become an Air Force Officer and Pilot. While earning his selection to pilot training, Dan was recognized as a leader and rose to the highest position in the ROTC program. He also held leadership positions in other organizations, including the campus chapter of Alpha Tau Omega. Dan graduated from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a specialization in international relations. After pilot training, Dan began his flying career as a C-130 “Hercules” pilot which eventually took him to over 60 countries around the world. After serving in Saudi Arabia in support of Desert Storm, Dan flew a variety of missions including two tours over war-torn Bosnia with NATO and missions supporting the US drug interdiction program in Central America. In addition to flying, he distinguished himself in his first additional duty as the officer in charge of the combat readiness of the unit. After spending some time as a C-130 Aircraft Commander, Dan jumped at an opportunity to share his experience as a flight instructor teaching pilot training. Dan’s assignment teaching U.S. and allied student pilots proved to be one of the most rewarding experiences of his military career. Dan began his assignment as an instructor in the T-38 “Talon.” Once he mastered the challenge of teaching students in a high performance aircraft, Dan was selected as one of the initial leaders of a brand new unit flying the T-1A “Jayhawk.” In time, Dan was not only recognized for his ability as a pilot, but he was regarded as an effective leader. He was assigned positions with increasing responsibility, culminating with the assignment as the director of a group responsible for many of the day to day flying operations for a base flying over 63,000 flights annually. Dan also earned a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Science and served as adjunct faculty for a large university. Dan’s efforts to reduce aircraft accidents, work with communities on environmental concerns, develop emergency plans, control training costs, and minimize terrorist threats eventually led to Dan being recommended for early promotion. Despite Dan’s ten years of success and interest in remaining a career military officer, he decided to continue his career in the Air Force as a reservist and focus on raising a family. Over 10 years ago Dan chose to move to Connecticut to raise his children, Whitney and Dylan, and begin a civilian career. He took a position as a representative in the healthcare industry where he worked directly with healthcare providers and was part of the process of helping patients live fuller and more productive lives. Dan worked to improve patient care for seniors and low income residents in Connecticut. He learned first hand the needs of patients, doctors, nurses and hospitals. More importantly, Dan gained a perspective of healthcare from the grass roots level up and an understanding that the goal must be to help patients first. Dan remains involved with his kid’s interests, including sports and scouting, and has served on their local Parks and Recreation Commission. He also continues to serve in the Air Force Reserve by representing the Air Force Academy and mentoring high school students around the state that have an interest in an Air Force career. Dan is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Aircraft Owner’s and Pilots Association. Dan’s military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and the Aerial Achievement Medal.