Dan Howard comes from a close family. His parents both have an MBA. He was raised in San Francisco,
and at age 10, he auditioned for the San Francisco Opera’s Boys Chorus. He was rewarded a spot, and at
age 12, he traveled the world with the Boys Chorus. He sang three times in three operas with the
famous Luciano Pavarotti.
Dan’s travel throughout the world at a young age influenced his future as an international business
executive. He graduated early from USC and immediately moved to NYC without a job to pursue a
career in tourism advertising. He moved into an apartment near Madison Avenue, helped a young
woman move into an apartment near him, and landed a job in advertising through that contact.
Dan left his advertising position to attend Harvard Business School in 1990. Although he wanted to stay
in the travel and tourism industry, he knew he needed to hone his business and leadership skills to be a
more effective executive. Dan applied to several MBA programs but chose Harvard because that is
where the King of Thailand had matriculated.
Harvard Business School was a struggle for Dan. However, he feels he received an excellent education. HBS
trains you for the stress and pace of business. He feels like Harvard reinforced the courage he already
had.
Dan’s post-Harvard career path is as follows:
1992-1995 Tourism Director for the city of Beverly Hills, California
1995-2003 Tourism Director for Napa Valley, California
2003-2004 Tourism Director in San Francisco, California, helped open the Allison Inn and Spa in the
Willamette Valley in Newberg, Oregon.
2004-2009 Montage Resorts
2009-Present V.P. Visit Park City, Park City, Utah
Dan feels that vulnerability is a huge business asset and shares his Three Cs of Leadership.
Enjoy the conversation.