Mr. Dan
Director of Operations
Mr. Dan brings more than four decades of leadership, operational excellence, and public service to Acton Academy Oshkosh.
As a parent, Dan’s own journey toward learner-driven education began in the early 2000s when he and his wife Carey homeschooled their older children through 3rd grade. Not satisfied with the educational choices available locally, Dan spearheaded the creation of the Ripon Area School District’s first project-based charter school, named “Quest,” that broke significantly from traditional public school models. He later served five years on the Ripon Board of Education—including as Finance and Facilities Committee Chairman and Vice President—championing fiscal responsibility and learner-centered education.
A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Dan served 25 years as an Intelligence officer and Combat Engineer soldier, serving in various leadership roles from squad to corps level with combat experience on three continents. His service earned him two Bronze Stars, five Meritorious Service Medals, and numerous other U.S. and foreign awards.
After retiring in 2008, he trained Army National Guard brigades nationwide, served as the 10th Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (leading a 1,300-person agency supporting 350,000 veterans and their families), led four nonprofits, held two elected offices, and founded Marian University’s Homeland Security Program.
Dan is passionate about building the strong operational foundation that gives families real educational choice while empowering young learners to own their education, develop entrepreneurial mindsets, and create lives of purpose.
Dan and Carey live in Ripon, Wisconsin. They are proud parents of four adult children. He holds an MA in Homeland Security and a BS in Geography.