About Dan
A Marine, a neighbor, and a father — running to serve the community he's called home his whole life.
Rooted in White Bear Lake
Dan Arcand's family has called the White Bear Lake area home since the 1800s. This isn't a community he moved to for opportunity — it's the place that shaped him, and the place he has chosen to raise his own family.
Dan served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, rising through the ranks as a leader and mentor to the Marines under his command. During his career he completed multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa. His service was recognized with a range of military awards — from decorations for action in combat, to commendations for his work developing and training the next generation of Marines, to honors for his contributions to education and professional development within the Corps. Earning recognition across that full spectrum speaks to a Marine who excelled not just on the battlefield, but as a builder of people and organizations. These experiences forged in him a deep commitment to discipline, accountability, and looking out for the people beside you.
After retiring from the Marine Corps, his commitment to service extended beyond the battlefield. Dan volunteered in elementary schools in the Philippines, helping provide building repairs, school supplies, and food to children in underprivileged areas. That experience gave him a firsthand understanding of what schools mean to a community — and what it looks like when adults show up for kids who need them. Dan is focused on the next chapter of service: his own community. He has a son currently enrolled in White Bear Lake schools, which means the decisions made by the school board affect his family directly — not in the abstract.
Since returning home, Dan successfully manages Oneka Ridge Golf Course, a local small business in the community. Running a complex operation day in and day out has given him additional practical, real-world understanding of budgets, staffing, and program management — skills that translate directly to the work of a responsible school board member.
Why He's Running
Dan is running because he believes the school board should be made up of people who are genuinely invested in the outcome — parents, neighbors, and community members who have skin in the game.
He is concerned about academic performance, student safety, and a lack of transparency in how the district communicates with families. He believes these issues deserve a board member who will ask hard questions, demand honest answers, and always put students first.
Dan is not a career politician. He is a neighbor who decided that showing up and doing the work was better than sitting on the sidelines.
To Dan, the most important part of running is that he sets the right example for his son. Being a good citizen means more than paying taxes and following the law — it means getting involved, speaking up, and doing your part to make your community better. That is the lesson he wants his son to see lived out.
What Guides Him
Integrity
Dan says what he means and does what he says. No spin, no politics — just straight talk.
Community First
Every decision Dan makes on the board will be filtered through one question: is this good for White Bear Lake students and families?
Service
From the Marine Corps to the school board, Dan's life has been defined by a commitment to serving something larger than himself.
Get to Know Dan
Have a question for Dan or want to share what matters most to you? Reach out directly.
Contact the Campaign