Dan McShane.
Geologist, small business owner, County Council member, family man
Geologist, small business owner, County Council member, family man
Dan and his daughter, Raven.
Outdoorsman
Dan became a geologist because he loves both science and the mountains. He has enjoyed a life-long passion for fishing, and is an avid hiker. He backpacks regularly on solo trips, as well as with family and friends. Dan has put many miles on his bicycle—not just commuting to work, but also on a solo ride across the United States, and a ride from London to Athens with his wife.
Community
Dan and Lisa are long-term members of Assumption Catholic Church. The family remains active in Girl Scouts, the York Neighborhood Association, and they contribute to a number of local non-profits.
Dan became a geologist because he loves both science and the mountains. He has enjoyed a life-long passion for fishing, and is an avid hiker. He backpacks regularly on solo trips, as well as with family and friends. Dan has put many miles on his bicycle—not just commuting to work, but also on a solo ride across the United States, and a ride from London to Athens with his wife.
Community
Dan and Lisa are long-term members of Assumption Catholic Church. The family remains active in Girl Scouts, the York Neighborhood Association, and they contribute to a number of local non-profits.
Dan and his son, Will.
Geologist
Dan has over twenty years of experience as a geologist. He conducts geologic, geotechnical, and environmental evaluations at a wide variety of sites throughout Washington and the northwest. Projects include forest practices and logging, evaluation of geologic hazards, shoreline processes and erosion, storm water projects, building foundation investigations, and mineral resource evaluations. He has conducted environmental due diligence investigations for a variety of investment clients and also managed environmental cleanup and investigations, including a 38 million dollar Superfund site in Tacoma, groundwater investigations at Hanford, and leaking underground tanks at neighborhood gas stations.
Successful business owner
Nine years ago Dan founded a new geology and environmental consulting firm, Stratum Group, Inc. in Bellingham, Washington. This is one of the many small businesses which contributes to Bellingham's downtown economy. Stratum Group has seen steady growth and currently supports three families. As a business owner he manages both small and large projects with multiple sub-contractors and team members.
Western Washington University Alumnus
Dan and his wife are from eastern Washington and moved here in 1982 when Dan attended Western Washington University (WWU). He received his Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1983 and completed his teaching certification in 1984. Dan returned to WWU in 1989 to earn a Masters of Science in Geology. He published his thesis, "Structure and Petrology of the Eldorado Peak area, North Cascades" in 1991 and coauthored several other peer-reviewed papers on the North Cascades. Dan maintains a commitment to WWU by hiring Western graduates, contributing to the Geology department, and leading student field trips over the past 6 years.
County Council member
Dan has served on the Whatcom County Council since 2000, developing a working knowledge of the budgeting process, personnel management, labor and contract issues, and has provided direction on cost-effective approaches to solving challenging problems such as flood management and long-term planning. He was instrumental in developing improved and respectful communication amongst Council members, between Council and the County Executive, and between Council and the public they serve. He served 2 years as Council Chairperson and currently serves on three of the four Council committees: Natural Resources, Planning, and Finance. While on the County Council, he successfully brought forward ordinances on several critical issues: multiple means for protecting the Lake Whatcom Watershed, plans to reduce sprawl along Lake Samish, Chuckanut Drive, Point Whitehorn, Birch Point and on Whatcom County farmland. He brought forward a resolution requiring County government to protect the rights of all citizens regardless of race or sexual orientation. He supported maintaining employee health benefits. He has been part of a Council that has not raised property taxes during his eight years on the Council.
Dan knows the legislative, budgeting, and governing process well and steps into the job of mayor ready to lead Bellingham forward on issues that matter.
Environmentalist
Dan has pursued legislation and worked to support the environment while on the County Council. He brings a scientist's open mind and reliance on sound research to discussions of public policy and long-range planning. He was appointed by the governor to serve on the Washington State Puget Sound Action Team. He also serves on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie Resource Advisory Committee, and he served for 3 years on the Lake Whatcom Landscape Plan Committee, advising the Washington State Department of Natural Resources on a plan to reduce risks associated with logging impacts in the Lake Whatcom watershed.
Dan has a long personal commitment to conservation as well. He is committed to walking and biking as a primary means of transportation. He walks or bikes to his office and County Council meetings, which explains why he's often seen around town in shorts. He is an avid gardener, composter and recycler and drives a fuel-efficient car to geology project sites.
Teacher
Dan taught in public schools for more than seven years. His favorite teaching job was in the Coachella Valley of southern California, a climate shockingly different from the Bellingham he left behind, where for two years Dan taught 8th grade to recent immigrants. He shared their enthusiasm for their future and for most of his students it proved to be a bright future. From there Dan went on to teach math and science at the middle school, high school, and university level.
Family man
Dan has been happily married for 25 years to his wife, Lisa. They have two children — Raven, a graduate of Evergreen State College, who lives in Africa helping children with AIDS for the Peace Corps (learn about her work here), and Will, who’s a freshman at Sehome High School. The McShanes have lived in their home in the York Neighborhood for more than 17 years.
Dan has over twenty years of experience as a geologist. He conducts geologic, geotechnical, and environmental evaluations at a wide variety of sites throughout Washington and the northwest. Projects include forest practices and logging, evaluation of geologic hazards, shoreline processes and erosion, storm water projects, building foundation investigations, and mineral resource evaluations. He has conducted environmental due diligence investigations for a variety of investment clients and also managed environmental cleanup and investigations, including a 38 million dollar Superfund site in Tacoma, groundwater investigations at Hanford, and leaking underground tanks at neighborhood gas stations.
Successful business owner
Nine years ago Dan founded a new geology and environmental consulting firm, Stratum Group, Inc. in Bellingham, Washington. This is one of the many small businesses which contributes to Bellingham's downtown economy. Stratum Group has seen steady growth and currently supports three families. As a business owner he manages both small and large projects with multiple sub-contractors and team members.
Western Washington University Alumnus
Dan and his wife are from eastern Washington and moved here in 1982 when Dan attended Western Washington University (WWU). He received his Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1983 and completed his teaching certification in 1984. Dan returned to WWU in 1989 to earn a Masters of Science in Geology. He published his thesis, "Structure and Petrology of the Eldorado Peak area, North Cascades" in 1991 and coauthored several other peer-reviewed papers on the North Cascades. Dan maintains a commitment to WWU by hiring Western graduates, contributing to the Geology department, and leading student field trips over the past 6 years.
County Council member
Dan has served on the Whatcom County Council since 2000, developing a working knowledge of the budgeting process, personnel management, labor and contract issues, and has provided direction on cost-effective approaches to solving challenging problems such as flood management and long-term planning. He was instrumental in developing improved and respectful communication amongst Council members, between Council and the County Executive, and between Council and the public they serve. He served 2 years as Council Chairperson and currently serves on three of the four Council committees: Natural Resources, Planning, and Finance. While on the County Council, he successfully brought forward ordinances on several critical issues: multiple means for protecting the Lake Whatcom Watershed, plans to reduce sprawl along Lake Samish, Chuckanut Drive, Point Whitehorn, Birch Point and on Whatcom County farmland. He brought forward a resolution requiring County government to protect the rights of all citizens regardless of race or sexual orientation. He supported maintaining employee health benefits. He has been part of a Council that has not raised property taxes during his eight years on the Council.
Dan knows the legislative, budgeting, and governing process well and steps into the job of mayor ready to lead Bellingham forward on issues that matter.
Environmentalist
Dan has pursued legislation and worked to support the environment while on the County Council. He brings a scientist's open mind and reliance on sound research to discussions of public policy and long-range planning. He was appointed by the governor to serve on the Washington State Puget Sound Action Team. He also serves on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie Resource Advisory Committee, and he served for 3 years on the Lake Whatcom Landscape Plan Committee, advising the Washington State Department of Natural Resources on a plan to reduce risks associated with logging impacts in the Lake Whatcom watershed.
Dan has a long personal commitment to conservation as well. He is committed to walking and biking as a primary means of transportation. He walks or bikes to his office and County Council meetings, which explains why he's often seen around town in shorts. He is an avid gardener, composter and recycler and drives a fuel-efficient car to geology project sites.
Teacher
Dan taught in public schools for more than seven years. His favorite teaching job was in the Coachella Valley of southern California, a climate shockingly different from the Bellingham he left behind, where for two years Dan taught 8th grade to recent immigrants. He shared their enthusiasm for their future and for most of his students it proved to be a bright future. From there Dan went on to teach math and science at the middle school, high school, and university level.
Family man
Dan has been happily married for 25 years to his wife, Lisa. They have two children — Raven, a graduate of Evergreen State College, who lives in Africa helping children with AIDS for the Peace Corps (learn about her work here), and Will, who’s a freshman at Sehome High School. The McShanes have lived in their home in the York Neighborhood for more than 17 years.
