The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Citizen of the Year for 2012, Dan Feroz, a local musician and tireless volunteer. Dan’s long history of volunteerism has greatly impacted many citizens of Oil City and the Venango County Area in a very positive manner. In recent years, Dan has developed a passion for volunteering on behalf of the Oil City Arts and Culture Commission, formerly known as the Oil City Arts Council. He is an active member of the Commission’s Board of Directors and additionally assists in the scheduling of performers, the coordination of events like the summer Arts in the Parks Concert series, Pipeline Alley performers and the Annual Oil Country Bluegrass Festival. Dan is perhaps best recognized for his willingness to do whatever is needed. He can be found setting up chairs, unlocking doors, cleaning up after events or supervising young volunteers. Dan has become a “go to” person when there is a job to be done.
An active member of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, Dan is a member of the Oil Heritage Festival Committee and assists with the event by scheduling entertainment and helping out wherever needed during the Festival.
As a member of the Southern Knights band, he has played numerous dances, concerts and fundraisers. Organizations that have benefitted from Southern Knights performances include, Youth Alternatives, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Oil City Civic Center to name just a few.
Dan’s volunteerism has gone beyond the boundaries of the community of Oil City. He currently serves on the board of the Regional Counseling Center and the Board of the Colonel Drake Alliance, which is overseeing the renovation of the Lyric Theatre for eventual use by the Community Playhouse and other performing groups. He is also a member of numerous brotherhood organizations including the Oil City Eagles, Oil City Elks, Polish National Alliance and Pulaksi Club. He is also a member of the Franklin Moose Club.
As a member of First Presbyterian Church, Dan is an ordained deacon. As a Board member he visits hospitals and nursing homes. He delivers taped worship services to shut-ins as part of their tape ministry and helps prepare the elements for the communion services. Dan is also a church representative to Boy Scout Troop 17. As a former cub master Dan continues to be actively involved in the scouting program. With his willing spirit, he may be found setting up (or tearing down) tables and chairs, painting fences, digging ditches, or trimming shrubbery. He has recently volunteered to serve as co-coordinator of the church Bereavement Committee which organizes and prepares funeral dinners.
Dan is a humble community servant, a proud husband and father, and one whose life revolves around helping his family, friends, his church community, and others. He developed a strong work ethic when he started in his father’s machine shop starting at age 6, becoming a skilled machinist. Dan graduated from Venango Christian High School 1974. Dan graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education and Rehab Science in 1989, attending classes at both Oil City and Clarion campuses. Dan received a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitative Sciences from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 2000.
Dan served as Senior Center Director with the County of Venango for three years. During that time he joined a task force of the State Attorney General’s office. The group worked to change state laws regarding scams against older Pennsylvanians. He also worked as a Mental Health Caseworker for 4 years with County of Venango. He has also worked for Community Alternatives as a mobile therapist and behavior specialist. He currently is Director of Marketing at H & R Block.
Dan is married to Patty Feroz, who also was recognized as the Citizen of the Year in 1997. Dan and Patty are the proud parents of two sons, David and his partner Rhuta (Tokyo, Japan), Michael and his wife Elena (Washington, DC) and a daughter Hiroka Wright and her husband Jason (Frederick, MD). They have two grandchildren, Allissa and Shaun.
If the spirit of volunteerism is all about being prideful and having your heart into helping others, bettering your community, radiating a passion for volunteering that inspires others to do the same, always bringing a “can do” attitude to the forefront, being cheerful and making things better for other people, then Dan truly has captured that spirit.
The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to join us in honoring Dan at the Chamber’s 2013 Annual Dinner on Wednesday, February 20th at Cross Creek Resort. For more information about the dinner visit www.venangochamber.org or call 814-676-8521.
Print the Annual Dinner Reservation Form