Dan Crane
Dan is a strategic and innovative business leader with a strong background in sales, finance, and entrepreneurship. With a career that spans corporate leadership, ownership, and consulting, he brings a sharp, solution-oriented mindset to every challenge. Dan graduated from Illinois State University and earned his MBA from Keller Graduate School. He spent 13 years at Ace Hardware Corporation in a variety of roles, including supply chain, purchasing, category management, sourcing, and store planning, gaining broad operational insight into the retail hardware and home improvement industry.
From 2008 to 2023, Dan worked with Creeden & Associates, a rep agency serving retail hardware and home improvement clients. In 2014, he acquired the company and led a successful transformation, doubling its sales and modernizing operations before selling the business in 2023. In 2024, Dan launched Crane Counsel, a consulting firm focused on coaching and mentoring individuals and small businesses. He is an active member and Chair within the Vistage CEO network, where he facilitates growth and leadership development for other executives.
Personally, Dan enjoys fitness, reading, cooking, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. He married his wife Molly in January 2024 and is a proud father to Colin, Ryan, Sean, and McKenna, and stepfather to Nora and Ivan. A cancer survivor, Dan brings resilience, empathy, and a passion for helping others to both his personal and professional life.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancranecreeden/
From 2008 to 2023, Dan worked with Creeden & Associates, a rep agency serving retail hardware and home improvement clients. In 2014, he acquired the company and led a successful transformation, doubling its sales and modernizing operations before selling the business in 2023. In 2024, Dan launched Crane Counsel, a consulting firm focused on coaching and mentoring individuals and small businesses. He is an active member and Chair within the Vistage CEO network, where he facilitates growth and leadership development for other executives.
Personally, Dan enjoys fitness, reading, cooking, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. He married his wife Molly in January 2024 and is a proud father to Colin, Ryan, Sean, and McKenna, and stepfather to Nora and Ivan. A cancer survivor, Dan brings resilience, empathy, and a passion for helping others to both his personal and professional life.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancranecreeden/
From our list of Midwest Roots Fundamentals, which one is your favorite?
Be Positive
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Principal Ballet Dancer
If I were a superhero, my superpower would be
Teleportation, so I could go anywhere in the world at any time
Dan Crane
Dan is a strategic and innovative business leader with a strong background in sales, finance, and entrepreneurship. With a career that spans corporate leadership, ownership, and consulting, he brings a sharp, solution-oriented mindset to every challenge. Dan graduated from Illinois State University and earned his MBA from Keller Graduate School. He spent 13 years at Ace Hardware Corporation in a variety of roles, including supply chain, purchasing, category management, sourcing, and store planning, gaining broad operational insight into the retail hardware and home improvement industry.
From 2008 to 2023, Dan worked with Creeden & Associates, a rep agency serving retail hardware and home improvement clients. In 2014, he acquired the company and led a successful transformation, doubling its sales and modernizing operations before selling the business in 2023. In 2024, Dan launched Crane Counsel, a consulting firm focused on coaching and mentoring individuals and small businesses. He is an active member and Chair within the Vistage CEO network, where he facilitates growth and leadership development for other executives.
Personally, Dan enjoys fitness, reading, cooking, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. He married his wife Molly in January 2024 and is a proud father to Colin, Ryan, Sean, and McKenna, and stepfather to Nora and Ivan. A cancer survivor, Dan brings resilience, empathy, and a passion for helping others to both his personal and professional life.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancranecreeden/
From 2008 to 2023, Dan worked with Creeden & Associates, a rep agency serving retail hardware and home improvement clients. In 2014, he acquired the company and led a successful transformation, doubling its sales and modernizing operations before selling the business in 2023. In 2024, Dan launched Crane Counsel, a consulting firm focused on coaching and mentoring individuals and small businesses. He is an active member and Chair within the Vistage CEO network, where he facilitates growth and leadership development for other executives.
Personally, Dan enjoys fitness, reading, cooking, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. He married his wife Molly in January 2024 and is a proud father to Colin, Ryan, Sean, and McKenna, and stepfather to Nora and Ivan. A cancer survivor, Dan brings resilience, empathy, and a passion for helping others to both his personal and professional life.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancranecreeden/
From our list of Midwest Roots Fundamentals, which one is your favorite?
Be Positive
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Principal Ballet Dancer
If I were a superhero, my superpower would be
Teleportation, so I could go anywhere in the world at any time