Dan entered the confectionery industry in 2007 after a career in restaurant management. He began from the bottom up by building chocolate tempering machines and enrobers for his Father-In-Law and former President, Jim Bourne. As Dan became more experienced, he assumed supervision over production and on-site installation of machinery in addition to purchasing raw materials and components. Ascending the ranks, Dan, along with his wife Jaime, bought Hilliard's in 2024.Dan has served the Retail Confectioners International in many capacities, including the founding of the Next Generation Committee, serving as the committee's first Chairperson. The committee focuses on bringing together aspiring, young candymakers to establish networking, lifelong partnerships, & friendships. Dan has served on the RCI Board of Directors, Associate/Supplier Advisory Board as a member and also as Chairman. He also graduated from RCI Chocolate Boot Camp in 2014.Dan has been an active member of the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Confectioners Association (PMCA), Retail Confectioners Association of Philadelphia (RCAP), the National Confectioners Association (NCA), and New England Retail Confectioners Association (NERCA), including serving on the Board of Directors.