Dan Blake
Chief Operating Officer and Director of Alternatives
Principal
Education
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University of Iowa
Bachelor of Arts (English and Journalism)
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University of Denver
Master's of Business Administration (Finance and Accounting)
Dan Blake is a Founder and the Chief Operating Officer of Resonant Capital Advisors. His background in communications, technology, early-stage company management and alternative investments adds depth and breadth to the Resonant team.
His professional experience includes directing and structuring fundraising offerings, leading several multi-million dollar equity transactions and guiding board-level operational management post-investment. Prior to Resonant, Dan was a founding partner of a digital healthcare-focused venture capital fund. Dan also served as a director of the Wisconsin Technology Council, where he facilitated angel and other early-stage investment activity in Wisconsin.
Dan worked in journalism in the early part of his career, spending a number of years as a reporter and digital producer at the Chicago Tribune, covering politics, crime and courts in an always busy news town. He has been a guest lecturer for several college courses in the areas of communications, journalism and entrepreneurship. Dan stays busy raising his two young sons on the West Side of Madison.
- If you have an open schedule on a weekend to do anything, what do you enjoy doing?
I’m a flyfisherman, so I take open opportunities to get on a river in the Driftless Region in Wisconsin. I’ve also been fortunate to fish a number of places all over, including some that I grew up near in Missoula, Montana.
- What profession did you want to have when you were young?
Author. I was an English major in college (at the University of Iowa, which has a renowned writer’s workshop) and I later became a newspaper reporter, so I feel like I at least partially met this goal.
- If you could visit anywhere in the world you’ve never been, where would you go?
New Zealand. Related to flyfishing exploits above.
- What’s your secret talent that no one knows about?
I play guitar, and can hold a 12-bar blues. Once hit 38 straight free throws.
- What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Did you follow it?
Order and systems are nobler things than power. That was given to me by my dad, but he also used tell me old age and treachery always beats youth and exuberance. Still learning both, especially with two young sons coming up.
- Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
Coffee. Nectar of the Gods.