Dan Cooney (so this is one big long brag in the third person but just go with it) is a commercial insurance specialist at the Gowrie Group, a top 100 insurance agency nationally. We start with risk management which is the way to lower the total cost of risk to your organization. Gowrie lives out the values of excellence and integrity. I’m down with that.
Prior to Gowrie, Dan was the Associate Executive Director of US Sailing, the National Governing Body of the Sport in the United States. At US Sailing, Dan negotiated $5 Million of sponsorship agreements including the first ever title sponsorship for a US Olympic Committee-affiliated National Governing Body. He also created US Sailing’s Video Podcast and negotiated the formation of US Sailing’s Regatta Network. He created an entirely new brand and commercial program for the US Sailing Team and managed the successful Medalist Donor Program. I am proud to have contributed something to sailing, a sport that I love.
As a political fundraiser, Dan contributed to setting records as Finance Director for Governor David Walters of Oklahoma that stood for nearly two decades. He was Chief of Staff to the Treasurer of the Democratic Party and served on the staff on two Presidential campaigns and a Senate campaign. In 1991, he started and directed the State of Oklahoma Washington office. The great Mike Turpin, former Oklahoma AG and one-time rival then ally of my boss, once told me “The strongest bonds are formed in the hottest fires.” This was as hard as I have ever worked and an emotional rollercoaster that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Oh, and yes, you can do some great sailboat racing in Oklahoma.
As a salesman for Broadcast.com and Yahoo! his clients included The World Bank, Fidelity Investments, The Department of State, Maxim Magazine, The Department of Education and General Electric. Broadcast.com was ahead of its time and was one of the few internet brands that created huge (like $6 billion huge) value for shareholders. This was the most fun you could possibly have in a job — think video for Maxim Magazine, stock options, NYC and foosball!
Dan is a graduate of Tabor Academy, Bowdoin College and the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business. Learning new things is a great gift. This is where thanking my parents, Eddy and Betty, would be nice. Thanks Mom and Dad!
Dan is a long-time volunteer of the Beverly Yacht Club. He is a Director of The Sailing Foundation of New York and has served as a Director of Community Boating New Bedford (2010-2012) and Sail America (2005-2008). He has served as a member of the Tabor Alumni and Headmasters Councils. He chaired the Buzzards Bay Regatta in 2006, the largest volunteer-run regatta in the United States. He still loves racing sailboats and each year tries to reduce the rate at which he declines in skill. He lives in his hometown of Marion, MA with his truly spectacular wife Kate and two energetic sons. Thanks Kate Cooney. You are the love of my life and the beginning of everything great in my life!
Check out a September 2, 2013 audio interview I did with Eileen Lonergan.
