​A lifelong New Englander, except for a couple of brief stints away, Dan grew up in the Central Maine towns of Winslow and Clinton. He attended the University of Maine in Orono, earning a BA in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in public finance, graduating with honors as a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the national honor society for public administration. Between degrees, Dan spent time in Washington, D.C., where he worked as an accountant for the Office of the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms. He also volunteered with the Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to responsible federal fiscal policy.

After returning to UMaine for graduate school, Dan worked in economic development, helping form public-private partnerships to support Maine’s economy. He first served as a graduate assistant for the USDA Maine Rural Development Council, then as a development specialist for the nonprofit Eastern Maine Development Corporation in Bangor. Working in these roles during a difficult period for Maine’s economy gave Dan a firsthand appreciation for the importance of balancing public and private initiative in building strong, resilient communities.

Dan later moved into the private sector, returning to accounting for a small financial services firm in Portland before serving as a controller for a regional environmental services company, where he helped manage operations and support the company’s growth.

After meeting his wife, Laurie, a physician, Dan and Laurie eventually left Maine so she could complete her medical training. During that transition, Dan became a stay-at-home dad to their growing family, a role he has often described as the most rewarding — and challenging — job he has ever had. After Laurie completed fellowship training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, they chose to raise their family in Amherst, New Hampshire, where they have built their home and raised their two children.

Since moving to New Hampshire, Dan has been active in community service, local government, and youth activities. He served as a hockey dad for many years, managing his son’s youth hockey career and helping start a local ice hockey team for middle school-aged players. He has also served on the Souhegan Regional Landfill District, which supports Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, and Mont Vernon by managing recycling programs and contracting for equipment, hauling, and waste disposal services.

Dan has also been deeply involved in local school and municipal issues. He has served on the Souhegan Cooperative School Board, the Souhegan Advisory Finance Committee, and the SAU 39 Policy Committee, bringing his background in public finance and operations to the work of local government.

In 2018, Dan ran for State Representative for the first time since his days in the University of Maine Student Senate, falling just 14 votes short in the initial count and 13 votes short after a recount. He later went on to be elected to the New Hampshire House, where he has served three terms representing Amherst. In the House, Dan serves on the Transportation Committee and is currently the committee’s Ranking Member. In that role, he has focused on practical, bipartisan work involving road safety, licensing, vehicle regulation, and the everyday transportation issues that affect New Hampshire families, communities, and businesses.