Dan Swanson
Dan graduated from Alwood High School (Woodhull, Illinois) and then enrolled at Black Hawk College. He graduated in 1984 and then attended Western Illinois University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1994.
Dan enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in August of 1977 as a 63B generator and wheel vehicle mechanic. In March of 1980, he was selected to serve on an active-duty tour with the Illinois Army National Guard. He attended Office Candidate School at the Illinois Military Academy and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1986. He retired in January 2001 after 20 years of active duty and more than three years as a traditional Guardsman.
After watching the soldiers he trained through his military career go to war, he volunteered and was recalled to active duty in July 2007 to serve with the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq; Coalition Army Advisory Training Team, Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned as deputy director of the Iraqi Army Force Generation. He coordinated and synchronized Iraqi Army units' recruiting, training, equipping, and basing with Coalition and Iraqi Leadership. He completed his tour in June 2008 and returned to retirement in July 2008. Dan earned the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge.
In April 2010, he was recalled to active duty to serve with the Army Sustainment Command at the Rock Island Arsenal and assigned as Chief of Logistics Synchronization and Integration Cell for the Lead Material Integrator Mission. He led a team of soldiers and civilians that transitioned the mission to equip the Army from the Pentagon to the Army Sustainment Command at cost savings and jobs. He returned to retirement in April 2013.
He served as the superintendent of the Henry County Veterans Assistance Commission, providing financial aid and transportation services to the Iowa Veterans Hospital in Iowa City, IA, for Henry County veterans. He also provided financial assistance to veterans to pay utilities, rent and purchase food.
In January 2017, Dan was sworn in to serve as Illinois State Representative for the 74th District in the 100th General Assembly. Dan served more than 17 years on the Alwood (Alpha and Woodhull) Board of Education and two years on the Henry County Board but was required to resign when he was called back to active duty.
He is involved with the sixth-generation Swanson family farm where he works with his dad, Ron; brother, Steve; son, Matthew; and nephew, Josh, near Andover, Illinois.
Dan continues to support the mission of Black Hawk College at the state level and has been instrumental in helping Black Hawk College move forward over the years. Please help us congratulate Dan Swanson as the 2023 Outstanding Ag Alumni.
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