Brian Danzl is a lifelong resident of Rancho Cordova for whom community involvement, leadership and barrier-breaking activity has been a way of life.
Born in San Diego, Danzl's family moved to Rancho Cordova while he was still a toddler. Like many others, he grew up in Rancho Cordova, attending local schools and playing a wide variety of sports. His interest in leadership began early. During his high school years he was elected to student government posts, then led again when he became the first member of his class to join the military, enlisting in the U.S. Marines.
Danzl's military career was sent down the food service path, and he quickly rose to become the chef for the Marine Corps Commandant. But it was not long before Danzl decided he had more to give and pursued a job change, becoming an air delivery specialist, with wide training as a parachute systems test technician. He would go on to lead his unit, stepping forward to work in parachute testing which helped create the parachute systems still used today. For his efforts, Danzl was decorated with the Navy Achievement Medal.
With his Marine Corps hitch up, Danzl re-entered the civilian world, trading in parachutes for chef's knives. He became a culinary leader for the Hilton family of hotels, sending himself back to school for advanced culinary arts training. While at Hilton, Danzl worked his way through all of the restaurants in the Reno Hilton family, including the Top of the Hilton, a five-star dining restaurant.
He continued to serve his country, joining the Nevada Air National Guard and was awarded two Air Force Achievement Medals, including one for actions above and beyond the call of duty. While living an exciting life in Reno, home still beckoned. He and Victoria were married and returned to Rancho Cordova.
Keeping his connections with the Air National Guard, his specialized parachute skills were soon called back into action, this time for a civilian company + Pioneer Aerospace. The company sought him out to participate in research and development of a new parachute system, and before long the Danzls were on their way to Connecticut for a 12 month tour.
Returning to Rancho Cordova once more, Danzl returned to the culinary arts field, working as revenue manager for Six Flags, where he managed 164 employees and was responsible for all sales within the park.
Danzl's love of working outdoors was combined with his natural engineering skills when he moved to WECA, becoming an electrician + and student lobbyist. Danzl represented non-union electricians, advocating for non-union employment opportunities before state government officials.
With his electrician certifications in hand, and a family that included two exuberant children, Danzl turned his attention to home and community. He began coaching his children's sports teams on the same fields where he had played as a child. He offered his electrician's skills to community events like the Rancho Cordova Fourth of July and others, and before long found himself on the board of directors of the Cordova Community Council, Rancho Cordova's leading community service non-profit organization.
In 2009, it all came together when he was encouraged to seek elective office in Rancho Cordova. Throwing his hat into the ring, Danzl was elected to the board of directors of Cordova Recreation and Park District, where today he is engaged in helping steer the 50-year old public agency through stormy financial, operational and community issues.
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