Dan Seeler is the co-founder of MICI Coatings, and now its President and CEO. In that capacity, Dan oversees skills management of their core customer base and general company operations.
Dan began his career in marine coatings directly out of business school, handling distribution, sales and tactical support. He chose the field out of a desire to gain hands-on experience at all levels of a small business. The approach proved successful, and before long he and Dave Hirsch co-founded MICI Coatings together in July of 1985 – with little more than confidence, courage and foresight, at just 24 years of age – a decision that to this day remains one of his proudest professional accomplishments.
Now, with nearly three decades of experience, Dan has helped see MICI Coatings expand its market share – even during economic recessions – by continuing to push where other companies have contracted. While times have changed and global economic competition has increased, Dan believes MICI Coatings continues to succeed for a simple reason: “We still produce the best quality in the world.”
Dan is proud of the fact that during these hard economic times, MICI Coatings has not scaled back whatsoever – not in jobs, salaries or benefits – for his employees. Through it all, he has helped MICI Coatings develop successful growth and a sustainable business model.
Dan majored in Business Administration at the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, where he played hockey and varsity soccer. He remains close to the school, where he is currently sitting on the Board of Directors and has endowed a number of private scholarships.
Dan has three kids, all tremendous athletes in their own right, and as a result Dan coached youth sports for over 15 years. While his kids are all grown, Dan remains involved in youth sports today, supporting the Dinomights Hockey in the Hood youth hockey program for underprivileged kids.