My name is Dave Dan. I am a husband, father, the CTO of a national company (ECI), and the owner of a software development company (Voryx). My family and I moved to Smithsburg after falling in love with an enchanting old house. Our initial fascination quickly grew into a deep appreciation for our town and its community.
In 2020, I was elected to the Smithsburg Council, where I became an active member. I quickly realized that the priorities of the town were not aligned with the desires of its residents. Consequently, I spearheaded efforts to address and reverse problematic issues, such as the “Basketball Hoop Ban” and "Policing for Profit" where speed cameras were placed to maximize profit instead of safety. I have advocated for responsible financial management and opposed unnecessary tax increases, water rate hikes, and sewer rate hikes while also supporting our beautiful parks and downtown economic development.
In addition to my role as a Council Member, I served on various committees and organizations. I served on the Maryland Municipal League Legislative Committee, where I played a role in the successful effort to fully restore Highway User Revenue funding. This achievement ensured that towns like Smithsburg received the necessary funds for maintaining local roads.
Furthermore, I served on the Maryland Municipal League Transportation Funding Subcommittee, which provided valuable input on transportation funding policies and initiatives. Additionally, I functioned as a council liaison to organizations including the Smithsburg Community Activities Committee, Smithsburg Community Volunteer Fire Company, Smithsburg Emergency Medical Services, and the Smithsburg Library Board. Through these roles, I fostered strong relationships with community stakeholders and collaborated on initiatives that enhanced the quality of life for Smithsburg residents.
Beyond my professional and political endeavors, my greatest source of inspiration and support comes from my faith and my family. My wife, Jeannette, and I have been happily married for almost 20 years. She serves as a Librarian at Heritage Academy, is the chair of the Smithsburg Parks Commission, and is on the Washington County Community Organization Funding Committee. We are blessed with three wonderful children: a son named Cody, and two daughters named Deanna and Audrey.