About Dan Manning

Hard Work and Family Values

At the age of 12, I began working on a small farm during the summer in my hometown to earn money to pay for school supplies and clothes. After my father had a heart attack and was unable to work, I took a full time job after school at the age of 16 to help support my family.

Taking the easy route has never been a way of life for me. Doing what is best for my family and my community has always guided my decisions. I will continue this tradition of hard work and dedication in Topeka to help other families in these tough economic times.

Service

As soon as I was old enough, I enlisted in the Army National Guard to begin my service to the nation. After almost two years of enlisted service, I was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York where I received a bachelors degree and commission as an officer in the United States Army.

As an Army officer, I learned that to be a good leader, I had to be a great servant. My success as a leader was dependent on the success of my Soldiers. As your elected Representative, my success will be judged by how much better your life is as a result of my actions in office.

Education

As a shy middle child, I had every opportunity fail in my academic endeavors. My success came from having a loving, supportive family that pushed and encouraged me in ways they may never know or understand. It is because of my family that I continue to strive for greater things.

I also had great teachers that would not let me quit when I felt I was not smart enough or thought I lacked the ability to meet the standards required for advancement. Judy Trout was one of those teachers. From 5th grade - 8th grade, she taught me that "good enough" wasn't. I was never able to squeak by when she and I both knew I could do better. When I recently told her I was running for political office, it did not seem to surprise her a great deal. I can only assume that it is because she knows that she prepared me for greater responsibilities; that she prepared me to be a leader in my generation.

Charlotte Mathews was another public school teacher that taught me that education is a never ending journey. There is alway something new to learn. From Shakespeare to the latest author, a student is never finished learning and must always seek to know and do more.

Understanding the challenges that I would face after the Army, I continued my education by working on a Master's in Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix while stationed in Korea. I am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration with a Leadership focus from Walden University.