Dan was raised on Vancouver Island. He moved to Prince George in 1987.

In 1995 after a successful career in commercial banking, Dan founded Commonwealth Financial. Dan has served on many corporate and philanthropic boards, including: BC Rail, Junior Achievement of BC, the BC Chamber of Commerce and is a Past President the BC & Yukon Junior Chamber of Commerce. He is the Founding President of the Rocky Mountain Rangers Regimental Association (PG Branch). He is also the Founding Chairman of the Commonwealth Cup, Northern BC's largest charity golf tournament.

Dan has been awarded a Senatorship and Life Membership in Junior Chamber International. He is twice runner-up as Prince George's Businessperson of the Year. He has been recognized by the insurance industry as a member of the Million Dollar Round Table and the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriters. In 2008, in recognition of his community service, he was knighted by the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller. In 2022 Dan was awarded the Queen's Jubilee Medallion. In 1986, Dan became a commissioned officer in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Dan and his wife Roberta enjoy travelling and time at the lake. One day he is going to get serious about learning how to play golf.