Biography
Dan is a native of the St. Cloud area. Graduating from St. Cloud Tech in 1973, attended SCSU and married Cathy Jo Pederson in 1975. He completed a BA degree with a major in Physics and Math and Computer Science Minors and in March of 1979, Dan received a commission in the United States Navy and went on to flight training receiving his Navy wings in December of 1980 flying Navy Jet aircraft.
After instructing for 14 months in Basic Jets, Dan went on to fly the A-7E Corsair off the deck of the USS Midway homeported out of Japan. In 1987 Dan went on to transition into the new FA-18 strike fighter and was stationed out of southern California. Tours of duty include: Officer in Charge of VFA-305, BUPERS 91 and 92 in Washington DC, Executive Officer of Weapons Test Squadron China Lake, California. Dan has been awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal and (2) Meritorious Service Medals as well as numberous other service medals. The first of two Meritorious Service Medals was signed by the Chief of Naval Operations for innovative leadership while in Washington and the second was for Leadership in the Executive Officer role at NAWS China Lake Research and Developement Squadron.
Dan also completed Strike Leadership Advanced Tactics School in 1992 and Top Gun Adversary training out of Miramar, Ca in 1992-3. Dan retired in October of 2000 and relocated back to Minnesota with his wife Cathy Jo were they got involved in the business sector.
Dan and Cathy Jo and John Pederson worked on a Patent involving modulated lighting as a means of free space communications of which they have been awarded a patent. In the fall of 2001 Dan was asked to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives and was elected to office in November of 2002. Dan is serving his 3rd term as State Representative for District 14A which includes Sauk Rapids, Sartell, St. Stephen, Rice Holdingford and parts of St Wendal serving Stearns and Benton counties.
After instructing for 14 months in Basic Jets, Dan went on to fly the A-7E Corsair off the deck of the USS Midway homeported out of Japan. In 1987 Dan went on to transition into the new FA-18 strike fighter and was stationed out of southern California. Tours of duty include: Officer in Charge of VFA-305, BUPERS 91 and 92 in Washington DC, Executive Officer of Weapons Test Squadron China Lake, California. Dan has been awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal and (2) Meritorious Service Medals as well as numberous other service medals. The first of two Meritorious Service Medals was signed by the Chief of Naval Operations for innovative leadership while in Washington and the second was for Leadership in the Executive Officer role at NAWS China Lake Research and Developement Squadron.
Dan also completed Strike Leadership Advanced Tactics School in 1992 and Top Gun Adversary training out of Miramar, Ca in 1992-3. Dan retired in October of 2000 and relocated back to Minnesota with his wife Cathy Jo were they got involved in the business sector.
Dan and Cathy Jo and John Pederson worked on a Patent involving modulated lighting as a means of free space communications of which they have been awarded a patent. In the fall of 2001 Dan was asked to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives and was elected to office in November of 2002. Dan is serving his 3rd term as State Representative for District 14A which includes Sauk Rapids, Sartell, St. Stephen, Rice Holdingford and parts of St Wendal serving Stearns and Benton counties.