Dana’s passion for finance and investing began as a U.S. Air Force Officer trainee in 1987. An instructor, discussing life after training school, encouraged his student trainees to “always pay yourself first” with every single paycheck, invest it, and leave it alone. Following his advice, Dana quickly learned the power of compounding returns and became engrossed in everything financial. While still on active duty, he began a Master’s degree program in finance concentrating in investments, which he completed in 1992.
After serving eight years in the U.S. Air Force, primarily as an instructor navigator, Dana separated from active-duty military in 1992 and began a career as a financial consultant with a major securities firm in 1993 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Dana has worked with independent, fee-only advisor firms since 1996. He was assistant portfolio manager and research analyst for seven years with a firm managing $250 million in client assets and serving high-net-worth families and pension and profit-sharing plans. Dana also served as senior portfolio analyst for four years with a firm providing portfolio management services to a nation-wide force of fee-based investment advisors and managing $5 billion in assets. Prior to joining SC Capital Advisors as a partner in 2011, Dana founded Global Portfolio Dimensions, Inc., an advisor practice he merged with SC Capital Advisors.
Throughout his professional life, Dana’s quest for knowledge never abated. He has earned two of the most sought-after certifications in the financial industry, the Chartered Financial Analyst® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM designations. He is a member of the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of Los Angeles and the CFA Institute. Dana is actively involved in his community through the Rotary Club of Rancho Mirage and the Palm Springs Air Force Association. He is a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of the Coachella Valley and serves as chair for the club’s investment committee. He officiates high school football and basketball in southern California’s Coachella Valley.
Fun Facts
Favorite Movies: Wall Street, Pulp Fiction, True Romance
Favorite Food: Steak and eggs, burritos, and I’m a craft beer geek
Downtime hobbies: Hiking, golf, pickleball, and all-around gym rat
Favorite place: Yosemite National Park
Home: I live in Rancho Mirage, CA, with my wife Michelle and dog Casie