President/CEO
Dan has led Visit Fort Wayne through many changes since he became President in 1988. Dan has grown the organization from a small department of the Chamber of Commerce into a community development organization with 21 Board members, over 300 industry partners, 10 staff members and a budget of $1.2 million.
Dan says, “Our mission is more than simply promoting Fort Wayne. Our mission is to make it the Midwest’s best destination for meetings, conventions, tournaments and leisure trips. That is why I love this work. I am challenged every day to make Fort Wayne an even better place to visit.”
Dan is most proud of attracting the city’s largest convention (over 10,000 Gold Wing Road Riders), to Fort Wayne three times; relocating the Visitors Center to more attractive and efficient offices in 2010; and working with so many wonderful people on the Board and staff, and in the community for over 20 years.
Dan has helped Fort Wayne become a better destination too. He helped start the Fort Wayne Sports Corporation and served on the Board for its initial 10 years of existence. He has also served as President of IPFW’s Hotel-Restaurant-Tourism Management Advisory Board, and as the President of the Indiana CVB Association.
He has served on numerous civic task forces and committees and twice chaired key committees for the city’s (successful) All American City bids.
Dan has earned certifications from the International Association of Conventions & Visitors Bureau in Finance & Administration, and in Convention Sales. He is a graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organizational Management and earned his CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation from the American Society of Association Executives in 1998. He has also been recognized by Indiana’s Lt. Governor Becky Skillman.
Dan is the father of four grown children and married to his wife Karen. They enjoy biking, watching sports (Go Colts!) and spoiling their six grandchildren.