Dan traces his ancestry back to his great great grandfather Animodoskwan (Plenty Dogs) of the Lake Superior Chippewa Nation and the current location of the Red Cliff Tribe of Lake Superior Chippewa. Dan's formal education includes college at the University of Phoenix, Vincennes University, Northern Michigan University and the United States Sergeant Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas where he graduated with honors in 2002. He recently retired after 30 years of active duty military service in the Army and Michigan National Guard. In 2000 while serving in uniform he joined the the Michigan National Guard Cultural Diversity Council where he served until his retirement as the Native American SEPM and recruiting advisor. Dan also served from 2002 thru 2004 as the Chair of the Great Lakes Region for the Army National Guard National Recruiting Advisory Committee. After joining SAIGE six years ago at the first training conference in Florida he has twice been elected to the SAIGE Board of Directors. He served as the Conference Chair in 2008 and currently serves as Chair for the SAIGE Board of Directors.

STATEMENT

"I have a strong desire to help promote SAIGE and assist in its growth as an organization. I believe SAIGE had solid beginnings with inspiring growth in its relatively short time as an organization. I will work hard to continue the development of SAIGE to ensure we increase our outreach, membership and financial security. When both natives and non natives think of American Indians and Alaskan Natives working in government I want SAIGE to be their first thought. We have a very strong Board of Directors and some of the most talented membership of any employee organization. Together we will do the good work and continue to serve our government and the people."