Dan served as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1989-1995. He received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Central Florida in 1995 and his juris doctorate from Northern Illinois University in 1999. He was then admitted to the Illinois Bar Association and the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, both in 1999. Memberships & Professional Associations include:

• Whiteside County Bar Association President, 2020-2021
• Whiteside County Bar Association, 1999-Present
• Illinois State Bar Association, 1999-Present
• Sterling-Rock Falls Jaycees, 2000-2011 (President, 2005)
• Marine Corps League Sauk Valley Detachment, 2012-Present
• Big Brothers Big Sisters, Past Board Member
• American Legion Member