At the time, the area Dan grew up in wasn’t offering a wide variety of career paths for would-be technology students. So, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Earth Science, and Geography from the University of Nebraska—Kearney and taught science classes for two years.  After teaching, Dan decided to switch routes and took up an installation technician job with a local technology integrator, he was excited about all the new skills to learn. The internet and tech boom of the 90s is what initially drove Dan to pick up work in the field. The ever-increasing expansion of the industry and the skillsets and knowledge needed to grow with it propelled Dan to stay.

While he was doing onsite telecommunication installations, there would be instances where the design didn’t accurately reflect site conditions. Dan would respond by implementing his own design—on the fly. His advanced understanding of installation principles allowed Dan to participate in design sessions where he provided information on the sites, products, and installation techniques. After spending over a decade in installation, Dan received his RCDD certification and began to officially design the systems he had spent over ten years installing.

To Dan, design is more than inventing something new; it’s refining an old idea to meet unique needs. He sees the future of design centered around adapting aging infrastructure to meet the fast-paced needs of today’s businesses, classrooms, and public offices. Dan’s unique experience providing telecommunication installation for multiple market sectors is reflected in his designs. His designs prioritize optimum outcomes for the client while also considering the installer. Some of his favorite projects to work on require unconventional solutions. Dan is attracted to projects with intricate pathways, complex construction, and unique products. It is within those projects where the most growth and innovation can happen.