Daniel was born and raised in Kankakee, IL.  He became interested in aviation during visits to his grandparents' house as a kid.  Koerner's Airport, a little grass strip field in Kankakee, was located right behind their house and a lot of antique airplanes flew in and out of there.  "I used to stand in the backyard and watch these airplanes fly overhead, wondering what it would be like to feel the way they felt when they flew, and to see the world the way they saw it.  My curiosity was sparked, and I began collecting airplanes, attending airshows, and playing Microsoft Flight Simulator."  

Daniel graduated high school in 2008, and when it came time to choose a college he decided on Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  Dan came to college with no formal flight training. In the last three years, Daniel earned his commercial pilot certificate, instrument rating, and flight instructor certificate.  He began competing with NIFA at the Region VIII SAFECON in 2008, hosted by Southern Illinois University.

"I look forward to my senior year of college, my last year competing with NIFA, and also serving as the NIFA student representative.  Upon graduation in May 2012, I plan to continue pursuing my career goal of flying for a major airline."