Our Driving Force

Dan Johnson has over 38 years of professional experience in the construction industry. For the past 38 years, as President and Founder of several companies—including Danco Builders (a general contracting firm), Danco Property Management (a real estate management company), and Danco Communities (a project development company)—Dan has overseen multiple multimillion-dollar projects. He specializes in computerized cost control, cost estimating, cost review, value engineering, constructability review, scheduling, and project management. His business and accounting skills, combined with his design and construction knowledge, enable him to analyze various project economic issues, such as life cycle costs, benefit-to-cost ratios, return on investment, and building economics.

Chris Dart has accumulated over thirty years of extensive experience and knowledge in the development and construction industry with The Danco Group. Starting in construction operations, Chris worked up to his current position as President of Danco Communities. He initiated Danco Communities' affordable housing projects and remains the visionary leader of the development department at The Danco Group. His responsibilities include land acquisitions, design development, entitlements, and financing strategies. He has developed a deep understanding of securing local, state, and federal government funding for projects. Danco Communities focuses on developing affordable housing projects and securing funding from organizations like TCAC, USDA RD, HOME, and CDBG. Under his leadership, Danco Communities has completed numerous projects that have positively impacted local communities throughout the United States. Chris's commitment to affordable housing and his ability to navigate complex financial landscapes have been instrumental in the company's success. His experience and leadership continue to drive the company's mission of providing high-quality, affordable housing.

Kira Heyden joined The Danco Group in August 2014, bringing a wealth of experience in construction and architecture. Before Danco, she served as a construction manager at Petra, overseeing all construction projects for St. Joseph's Health Systems. Her background also includes valuable experience at an architectural firm. Kira earned a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. This academic foundation has been crucial in shaping her career and contributions to Danco. At Danco, Kira has held several key positions, showcasing her versatility and leadership. She's served in Construction Administration, as VP of Finance, and now as VP of Construction Administration. In her current role, Kira manages the financial stability of over $100 million in annual construction revenue. She finds projecting project revenues particularly challenging, given the industry's dynamic nature. To tackle these challenges, Kira uses a dual approach. She maintains a high-level view of the company while leveraging her detail-oriented nature to ensure accuracy. This balanced strategy helps her navigate her role's complexities and contributes significantly to Danco's success.

Kathryn Hungerford is a Human Resources professional with over 11 years of experience in talent management and organizational development. As the Director of Human Resources at The Danco Group, Kathryn leads a team dedicated to fostering a positive work environment and driving employee engagement. Kathryn brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her strategic approach to HR has been instrumental in aligning the company's human capital with its business objectives. Throughout her career, Kathryn has successfully implemented innovative HR initiatives across all business entities within The Danco Group. 

Jayden Johnson graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Leadership, emphasizing Project Management. While Jayden has held various roles within the organization, she joined the development team full-time in summer 2022. As a Development Project Manager, Jayden collaborates closely with our development team and external partners to ensure timely submission of funding and tax credit applications before project start-up. These applications often require extensive research and can be tedious. However, Jayden recognizes the importance of leveraging her key networks to fulfill her commitments and successfully manage all projects in our development pipeline.

Cameron Dart became a part of The Danco Group in 2023, taking on the role of Development Project Manager. Before this, he was a dedicated student at California State University, San Marcos in San Diego, CA, where he achieved his Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Presently, Cameron serves as an Acquisition Analyst and Development Project Manager within the development team. In his position, Cameron recognizes the lack of a rigid structure or formula. Fields like acquisitions, negotiations, and affordable housing development lean more towards art than science, which can occasionally be challenging. To effectively manage these challenges, Cameron relies on organization and keen monitoring of the varying stages of a deal. He knows that these stages can evolve and change as market and environmental factors fluctuate, requiring flexibility that is both exciting and demanding. In his approach, Cameron highlights the need for a concentrated mindset, giving priority to tasks that are high leverage. Cameron understands the importance of acting promptly and making swift decisions, all while maintaining a clear and focused mind. As Cameron continues to grow and evolve within his role, he remains dedicated to achieving the highest standards of excellence and contributing significantly to the success of the organization and his team.

Carter Johnson joined The Danco Group in 2013 as a general laborer. In this foundational role, he maintained clean, organized construction sites while managing essential support tasks that ensured smooth project operations. In 2020, he advanced to field crew leader, managing the specialized site work team. In this role, he leads skilled operators who use heavy machinery to prepare project foundations, ensuring they meet all specifications and safety requirements. His leadership maintains efficient workflows and high standards during this crucial construction phase. Recently, Carter began pursuing his pilot's license, showing his commitment to continuous learning. He has also developed a keen interest in business operations and strategic management to understand broader organizational success. In recognition of his potential and dedication, Carter has joined our senior leadership team as an "emerging leader," where he will contribute fresh perspectives while developing leadership skills under executive mentorship.

Dana began her career with The Danco Group in 2017 as a Property Manager with Danco Property Management. In 2020, she advanced to Regional Manager, where she successfully oversaw the opening of two affordable housing facilities—Monterey Gateway in Gilroy, CA, and Phyllis Rex Samoa Townhomes in Samoa, CA—while managing 20 affordable properties and their property managers. In 2023, Dana was promoted to Director of Compliance Training & Lease Ups, where she oversees all lease-up operations for Danco Property Management. She currently manages 10 properties (including 3 under construction) totaling 580 affordable units. She also leads the compliance team, drawing on her extensive knowledge of HUD, Tax Credit, and Affordable Housing requirements. 

Ashley joined The Danco Group in February 2023 as a District Manager and has since advanced to Regional Manager. In this crucial role, she oversees three district managers who manage 26 properties (including three under construction) and two property managers who report directly to her—totaling 1,356 affordable units. Ashley focuses on supporting her team while ensuring resident satisfaction. Though housing placement timelines may not always meet applicants' expectations, and her team may not have all the answers, she remains committed to helping. She consistently provides her team with the resources needed to deliver excellent service to residents.

Ashley's dedication is evident in her strong relationships with both team members and residents. Throughout her career, she has excelled at building and motivating high-performing teams by fostering trust, open communication, and continuous learning. Through her guidance, she leads the property management team to achieve exceptional results while navigating challenges.