Dan comes to the Truman Security Fellowship after five years’ service as an Infantry officer in the US Army, having deployed to Baghdad, Iraq for 27 months as a Stryker Platoon Leader (‘06-’07) and as an Aide to the Chief of Staff of Multi-National Corps - Iraq (‘09-’10). Dan also commanded an Infantry Company in 3-2 Stryker Brigade while stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. 

During his five years' military service, Dan earned the Ranger tab, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and two Bronze Star Medals. His most significant work while deployed was leading his platoon in partnership with the emerging 'Sons of Iraq' movement as they worked to successfully dismantle a violent al Qaeda cell and restore peace to a small Baghdad neighborhood as well as the Brigade-level operation that expelled al Qaeda from their self-proclaimed capital of Iraq.

An alumnus of foster care in his early childhood, Dan serves on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America and volunteers with REACH, a life skills & mentoring program for foster care youth in Boston. 

Dan is pursuing an MPP from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, with an expected graduation in May 2012. Originally from Santa Clara, California, Dan is passionate about running and cycling. He recently ran his first Boston marathon and during the month of July, you’ll likely find him up at 5am to watch the Tour de France live, even the “boring” flat stages.