Dan Shimek graduated Little Falls High School in 1965 and from St. John's University in 1969 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry. He spent two years in the army including a tour of duty in the President's Honor Guard at Fort Meyer, Virginia. He began work for 3M in 1971 as a research chemist. He left 3M in 1986 after holding a variety of business management positions to join Heat-N-Glo on a full time basis.
The fireplace business, which he and his brother Ron started in 1975, grew from a $3 million dollar company in 1986 to a $100 million dollar company in 10 years. In 1996 Heat-N-Glo merged with Heatilator forming the largest hearth products manufacturer in North America-Hearth & Home Technologies. In 2003, Dan "retired" from his position as President with the company annual sales being in excess of $500 million.
Since his "retirement" he has actively helped start 5 businesses and is currently president of The Outdoor Greatroom Company-a company focused on outdoor products.
He is a sports, outdoor and golf enthusiast who lives in Apple Valley, Minnesota with his wife Kay. They have four children ages 17-25.
For an expert opinion on outdoor living, and to set up interviews with our team of highly experienced industry professionals, please contact Jessica Hall in our Media Relations department.
In 1975, Dan and Ron Shimek had an inspiration for indoor gas fireplaces that changed an industry and became the foundation of Heat-N-Glo®. Brothers Steve and Ger joined them and the rest (including over 50 patents) is history.
But the Shimeks were never ones to dwell on the past. They were forever looking forward. And as their vision grew sharper, they could see patios, decks and terraces becoming increasingly gracious in design and spirit. That led to a new inspiration even more ambitious than the first: tomorrow's homes would have two complete living rooms – one indoors, the other outdoors. Homeowners would be able to enjoy relaxing and entertaining guests in the fresh air with all the elegance found indoors. That inspiration led Dan to launch the first company of its kind: The Outdoor Greatroom Company – a company dedicated to an exciting new concept "The Outdoor Room." And the rest is the future.
For an expert opinion on outdoor living, and to set up interviews with our team of highly experienced industry professionals, please contact our Jessica Hall in our Media Relations department.
Jessica Hall
Media Relations/Marketing
Phone: 952-358-7442
jhall@blueoxadvertising.com
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