All human beings are flawed, some more so than others. When I think of Dan Holland, I cannot remember a time when he was anything less than a very good man.
For more than a decade, I worked with Dan at WTCA/SBCA, both in his role as WTCA President and as Chapter President of the Mid South Component Manufacturers Association (MSCMA). Dan was always sharp but unassuming, direct yet understated, polite but not a man to waste time. Although I’m sure he had his moments, I never saw him angry. Most importantly for all of us who have benefitted, he was committed to the association and to the industry.
As Dan wrote in the 2004 Wood Truss Council of America Annual Report:
“Through the time I have had the good fortune to be involved in WTCA, I have come to believe that collective association is the only way to have any credible influence on the design community, code community and market. Alone you will always be suspect of seeking competitive gain. Sometimes working in association with other component manufacturers is difficult due to our egos and authoritative positions within our own companies. Yet, the experience is profoundly useful for our common good as well as being the most stimulating and pleasant social experience one might seek as an individual. Everyone I have met in the process brings value and knowledge that WTCA and I would otherwise not have.” – Dan Holland
As shown in that Annual Report at the signing of the WTCA/TPI Joint Publications Agreement, the achievement that ushered in Building Component Safety Information (BCSI):
Front Row: WTCA President Dan Holland and TPI President Bill Turnbull. Back Row: Ken Cloyd, Charlie Hoover, Dionel Cotanda, Kendall Hoyd, Tom Manenti, Wayne Masengill, Andy Schwitter and Tom Whatley. [For photo, See PDF or View in Full Issue.]
We have all been fortunate to know such a good man. Rest in peace, Dan.