Born and raised in San Jose, CA, Dan attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies.

After graduating, his passion for news reporting first led him to a small AM radio station in Quincy, CA, where he was News Director, and eventually to KHSL-TV (CBS) in Chico, CA. From Chico, Dan went to Sacramento where for 28 years, he was a lead reporter for KXTV, News10 (ABC), receiving four Emmy Awards and the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in journalism. He also reported for KTVU Fox2 in the Bay Area. While in Northern California, Dan served on the board for National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, as well as the Society for Professional Journalists, and the statewide committee that developed judicial guidelines allowing television coverage of courtroom trials. He also developed a mentoring program for young television journalists in which he is still involved.

Retiring early, Dan and his partner moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and in 2015 moved back to Palm Springs where they currently reside.