20 Under 40 Q&A: Dan Bart

Get to know Dan Bart

Age: 35

Occupation: General office manager at Lake Superior Brewing and officer in Minnesota Army National Guard.

What do you actually do? After just returning from a deployment, I was approached with an offer to work for Lake Superior Brewing as general office manager and production control manager, and left after more than five years at Great Lakes Aquarium as director of finance. I am also in the Minnesota Army National Guard, serving as a logistics officer and soon to be the commanding officer of the Duluth unit. I also have several rental properties and am involved in the Lincoln Park Citizen Patrol.

Years in your job: Just started back at Lake Superior Brewing, five-plus years at Great Lakes Aquarium, 10-plus years in the Minnesota Army National Guard and 10 years in the rental property business.

Education: Graduated with bachelor’s of business administration degree in organizational management with minors in communications and MIS at the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1999, and completed my master’s in business administration at UMD in 2009.

Family: Married early this summer to Amanda (Panek) Bart, who is also in the Minnesota Army National Guard, moving to Duluth and looking for local civilian employment.

Community involvement: Lincoln Park Citizen Patrol, Sen. Roger Reinert’s campaigns and re-elections.

What brought you to the Twin Ports?

I first visited Duluth as a kid when my aunt and uncle lived here. I knew this is where I wanted to go to college and live. I have lived here most of the past 17 years, with the exceptions of stints with AmeriCorps, U.S. Forest Service in the west, Habitat for Humanity, working on the ships sailing the Great Lakes and training and deployments with the Minnesota Army National Guard.

What do you like to do during your free time?

What free time? I like to go camping, fishing and four-wheeling/ATV riding.

Describe your favorite place in the Twin Ports.

Anywhere that looks out over the lake and the Twin Ports, like along Skyline Parkway or Enger Tower.

What do you like most about the Northland?

It is a large small town, or small large town, best seen and experienced at Spirit Valley Days. It has the best of all worlds as the continent seems to merge here, the farms, the range, the hills, the lakes and rivers, the trees and forest, the wildlife, the greatest lake, as well as trails, hunting, fishing, along with big city sophistication and entertainment.

How can the Northland retain younger people?

Everyone working collaboratively to bring in and expand economic engines. Bring in bigger companies and more jobs, research, exploration, new mining, new energy and continued assistance for entrepreneur small business growth and development.

Who or what has made the biggest impact on your life?

My parents and my high school biology teacher and wrestling coach from Watertown-Mayer High School. When life gets tough you don’t just quit, you don’t give up, you dig in and work hard.

What are you most passionate about?

This great country and the freedoms we have, this great state of Minnesota and its natural beauty, my Christian faith and my family, camping, fishing and exploring, making Lincoln Park a better neighborhood and beer — the many flavors and styles, many of my favorites of which happen to be made by Lake Superior Brewing.

How have social and business networking sites changed your life?

It has improved my networking and sharing of my personal life, especially during my two deployments in the past five years in sharing photos with friends and family back home. It can be a very effective tool if used properly.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Most recently completing the full Grandma’s Marathon and my first triathlon.

What goals have you set for the next 5-10 years?

Continue working at Lake Superior Brewing and help them grow. Start a family and raise my children in a loving, Christian home.

What advice would you give other young people?

Don’t quit, don’t give up. Socialize and build a network, get involved in the community, work a few related jobs until your opportunity comes around, or go out and create it — start your own business.

Tags: 20 under 40, business