President and Owner

• Aug 2016 - Present

Paddles Up Poké is Idaho’s first and only specialty poké restaurant, and the official poké shop of the Boise State Broncos and Idaho Steelheads. Paddles Up has locations in Downtown Boise, Boise State University, Downtown Nampa, The Village in Meridian, Indian Creek Plaza in Downtown Caldwell, and the Warehouse Food Hall in Downtown Boise. In August 2016, Dan decided to put his paddles up and attack his lifelong dream of owning a restaurant. Working downtown after college, he knew the downtown Boise market because he was the market. He was the employee quickly walking the streets on his short lunch break in search of something that would fill him up for the next few hours at work, but also fuel his body with healthy ingredients. He knew this was a need that had to be met, and combining it with his love of food and talent as a chef has proved to be a successful business venture. His drive has earned Paddles Up numerous awards each year since its opening, Dan was voted the 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Boise Young Professionals organization, and 2020 Accomplished Under 40 by the Idaho Busines Review. Paddles Up has been voted "Best of Boise" since 2017 and "Best in the West" by via Travel Magazine.