Alum in the News – Dan Steffen
It was through a history of sticking to what he believed in that Dan Steffen ’86, ’86, was the recipient of the Meritorious Accomplishment Award at the annual Kansas Department of Commerce Awards luncheon in Topeka. Both Meritorious Accomplishment and “Service Awards” for Commerce employees are presented during this luncheon.
“While I knew I had been nominated for the award, I was unaware of what I had done to merit such an award, nor who nominated me, let alone that I had been chosen to receive the award, so it was a bit of a surprise to receive such an award for what I consider to be, just doing my job,” Steffen said of the award.
Steffen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications/Public Relations, both from Fort Hays State University. Following graduation Steffen went to work for KHAZ Radio – a business in Hays where he had recently completed an internship. It was by watching the Western Kansas economy struggle during that time that he became interested in Economic Development.
It was also during this time the Kansas Department of Commerce began placing Economic Development Field Representatives in six offices around the State as an outreach of the agency to assist with local economic development efforts. In 1987 Steffen found himself working as one of the Field Representative in Northwest Kansas. He held that position until 1991 when then Governor Joan Finney eliminated the position. At that point he transferred to Topeka to work as the Assistant State Director of the Kansas Main Street Program.
Unsatisfied with the direction of the Department of Commerce and the Main Street program at that time, he went back to what he believed in and began a private consulting business for both independent businesses and economic development organizations. Shortly thereafter he was recruited to work for Discover Financial Services, where he held the positions of Service Representative, District Service Supervisor, Sales and Service Executive and Senior Sales Executive. These positions allowed Steffen to remain in Hays, near family, and to continue in his area of interest in terms of economic development and specifically, business development.
With the purchase of Discover Financial Services by Dean Witter and later – the merger of Dean Witter and Morgan Stanley – Steffen again found himself unsatisfied with the direction of the company he was working for and the ever expanding territory he was being asked to cover.
Looking to return to the profession of economic development, Steffen contacted an old friend with the Department of Commerce and discovered that his old position had reopened. He was hired in 2006.
“My interest in economic development, specifically Rural Economic Development, stems from my being raised in Southwest Kansas (Ulysses), attending Fort Hays State University, and my desire to remain in Northwest Kansas upon my graduation,” Steffen said.
Steffen explained, “No one in the profession of economic development is in it for the money. It has to be a passion and a desire to make a difference. I took a 40 percent cut in pay, to return to the public sector and economic development profession, from a lucrative sales position. But, my desire to remain in Western Kansas and raise my son in a rural environment, as well as to remain near family, was worth the sacrifice.”
Having now had 14 plus years in the private sector, in the field of business development and the corporate world, Steffen feels he is better prepared for the position than he was at the age of 25. He attributes much of his “on hand” education from the time he spent working with Dr. Larry Gould and Dr. Ron Fundis in the early years of the Docking Institute at FHSU, and with communities beginning to develop local economic development programs. His three years as a resident manager of Wiest Hall and serving on the Memorial Union Activities Board has also served him well in his endeavors.
“My goal and vision is to continue to work for the betterment of Northwest Kansas and Western Kansas as a Region, through my position with Commerce, in assisting both businesses and local economic development professionals in their efforts. Be it through assisting expanding businesses, assisting with businesses in tough economic times, working with start-up businesses and entrepreneurs or through the continued assistance in the professional development of local Economic Development directors and their Boards,” Steffen said.
Steffen added that along with the dedicated economic development resource partners that he works with in Western Kansas, the goal is never complete. It is a process and an on-going effort and process to continue to strive for the betterment of Western Kansas as a region.
“I have been constantly amazed at the number of Fort Hays State graduates who I meet in this profession, that share my passion and commitment to the on-going efforts of economic development in Northwest Kansas,” Steffen said naming a few: Susan Nickerson ’80,’82, Workforce Development Division of Commerce; Jeff Hofaker ’90, Phillips County Economic Development; Mike Michaelis ’92, ’01, Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development; Roger Hrabe ’80, Rooks County Economic Development; Diane Stiles ’07, Norton County Economic Development; and Randy Hrabe ’75, Executive Director of the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission and Pioneer Country Development.
The following list recognizes some of the achievements which led to the award:
• Steffen initiated the Business Recruitment and Volunteer Orientation team (BRAVO), successfully piloting a process of training and orientation for new county economic development directors. Still in the development phase is a notebook of resources to be supplied to economic development directors to supplement the training.
• A Business Recruitment and Retention Assistance Team was also initiated by Steffen to assist communities and economic development offices with a business survey of needs.
• Steffen planned and executed a highly successful seminar on International trade opportunities with Fort Hays State University and Kansas Commerce colleague Greg Call – International Trade staff. The seminar was well attended and opened the door to economic development and service providers to share the pathway to open new markets through international trade.
• In partnership with Commerce’s Office of Rural Opportunity staff members in northwest Kansas, Steffen conducts community economic development strategic planning sessions for economic development boards, county commissioners and community groups. These sessions are widely utilized across northwest Kansas and response from participants and the coordinating economic development directs has been very positive.
• Steffen is now launching into a planning period, due to requests in his territory, to determine how “secret shopping” services can be coordinated and offered throughout his territory. This is another example of his initiative in starting and growing ideas that help northwest Kansas companies and ultimately grow the tax base of rural Kansas.