Director-level and above roles in Growth, Strategy, and Organizational Leadership

Career pivot turned superpower — blending Fortune 500 sales, entrepreneurial grit, and nonprofit leadership to deliver measurable growth and lasting impact.

A man in a checked blazer and blue shirt speaking into a Fox 2 News microphone. Behind him is a sign with the words 'Fred Astaire Dance' and other text related to an event or promotion.

“experience led, revenue-driven, human-centered”

My Journey

I am a successful entrepreneur, and former sales engineer with proven ability to achieve sales goals, and serve as a trusted advisor to Fortune 100 clients in manufacturing industries such as food and beverage, chemical, refining, power and steel.

I am seeking my next career journey for Dan Rutherford Inc. which includes revenue generation, making an impact and building a positive workplace culture.

This is my journey:

After the unexpected loss of my spouse in 2015 I decided to find ways to avoid isolation. I walked into a ballroom dance studio as a solo male student with no dancing experience. I remember how terrified I was!

After a few months of dance lessons I began performing with my professional partner in front of students. The dance floor energy filled me with joy. The ballroom dance lessons became addictive.

I enrolled in my first Pro/Am ballroom dance competition. Then I began to compete regularly in National Pro/Am ballroom dance competitions around the USA. I was all in.

At the studio every night after work, practicing, taking private and group lessons. I even took lessons during my business trips. My career funded my dance addiction for the next 5 years. I loved performing and made many new friendships with fellow students. I met my girlfriend at the dance studio. She turned to dancing after the loss of her spouse like me.

Fast forward to 2019 when I decided to voluntarily resign from my engineering and sales career. I realized life’s too short to not be happy at work. It was a risky choice since I did not have another job lined up.

During a vacation with my guy friends playing cards and drinking, they asked: “Dan, you seem to be talking more about your dancing than your career. Have you ever thought about owning your own dance studio?” I said no, that’s crazy. But why do you ask? They said, “You’d be good at it!” This sparked the idea to own a ballroom dance studio.

Dancing has given me joy and transformed my life. I want to help students learn to dance and learn the power of dancing in our lives-my “Why”! I began planning and opened a ballroom dance studio a couple years later.

I’ve worked in both corporate and consumer markets, so I know how to adapt without losing focus. I’ve built teams that thrive by lowering turnover, lifting morale, and getting people excited about the mission. Because to me, results only matter if the people behind them are energized and growing too.

If you're looking for someone who brings energy, clarity, and momentum to every initiative—I’d love to connect.

Three people smiling at a baseball game, with others in the background near a window overlooking a baseball field.

A group of seven people sitting around a table in a restaurant, smiling at the camera. They have drinks and are dressed in business casual and casual attire.

A ballroom dance competition with two dancers in elegant black costumes performing on the dance floor. In the background, there are other couples dancing and a large sign reading 'Michigan Dance Challenge.' The venue is decorated with chandeliers and seating for spectators.

People dancing in a well-lit indoor dance hall with wooden flooring and decorative lights.

Group of five people standing together in a dance studio, smiling and posing for a photo. Behind them is a large mirror and a banner with a photo of a woman and some text. The studio has a wooden floor and light-colored walls.

Collection of books on a bookshelf, including titles like "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek, "The Infinite Game," "The Culture Code," "The Wellbeing Tool," "The Menopause Solution," "Unreasonable Hospitality," and "Will Guidara."