Everyone that knows Danny realizes that he thrives on foreseeing the future and serving as a change agent, not only in business, but also in the diverse roles he has filled in his community. He is a well-known community leader who is very active in local, state and national politics.
A conservative Republican, he has supported scores of candidates running for various offices, ranging from presidential and gubernatorial elections to city council and mayoral campaigns. Danny has been recognized at the local, state and national levels for his accomplishments in business, as well as for his community service. In 2019, he was awarded 2018 “Person of the Year” by Ocala Magazine.
For over three decades, Danny has blazed a trail in the U.S. through hard work, determination and persistence. He has made a name for himself in the Indian community and America, especially Florida.
According to Larry Cretul, a Florida real estate broker, Republican politician, and Florida Speaker of the House of Representatives, "I've watched Danny take struggling things and turn them into successes. Where others run away, he runs forward."
Danny has been a steadfast champion of small businesses and is dedicated to community service. He has also worked tirelessly to increase political participation among the Indian American community by recruiting and supporting candidates to run for offices at the grassroots, state and national levels. He has founded or co-founded a number of organizations, including the India Association of Ocala, for which he also constructed a building. He also helped construct the United Way building in Ocala.
One of Danny’s most rewarding initiatives was bringing awareness of the “Celebration of Diwali” to the White House. Diwali, a time of peace and prosperity for the New Year, is a tradition held dear by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains in America and throughout the world. When George W. Bush was president, Danny was a catalyst behind convincing President Bush to host the first ever Diwali Celebration at the White House in 2003. Today, it is an annual event at the White House and ten states celebrate including Danny’s home state, Florida. According to Danny, “Diwali is a celebration of light and victory over evil dark forces. Our country today is facing dark forces, and we need to have light over evil and win with our goddess’ blessings.”
Danny was a catalyst behind convincing President Bush to host the first ever Diwali Celebration at the White House in 2003. Today, it is an annual event at the White House and ten states celebrate including Danny’s home state, Florida.
Danny is committed to continue inspiring and paving the way for future generations. His ancestors ruled the city of Baroda, India for 260 years, developing Baroda into the metropolitan city it is today. He knew when he arrived here that he would contribute what he could to make Ocala a vibrant center for community life that he knew it could be.
In the past three decades, Danny has served on the boards of numerous public, private and nonprofit organizations. Since 2009, he has been a member of the board of directors of Enterprise Florida Inc., a public-private partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and the principal economic development organization for Florida. Danny is also currently an executive board member and Finance Chair of Visit Florida, the official tourism marketing arm of the state, and is on the Board of Directors of The Florida Chamber of Commerce.
In 2018, Danny was appointed by Florida Governor Rick Scott to serve on the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees. He was also appointed to the Transition Advisory Committee on the Economy by then Governor-Elect Ron DeSantis.
Other awards and recognition at the local, state and national levels for Danny’s accomplishments in business and community service include:
• Asian American Hotel Owners Association Chairman’s Award (AAHOA is the largest trade group of hotel owners in the world. Its 20,000 members own every hotel in the United States.) • Lion of the Year Award • Leaders Leader Award, Marion County • Community Service Award from the Federation of Indian Seniors Association of North America • Pride of India Award • Glorious India Chairman’s Award • The Business and Entrepreneurship Award by the National Federation of Indian American Associations
BOARD POSITIONS
In addition to the board positions mentioned above, Danny has also served on other boards including:
• Chairman, Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau • Chairman, Marion County Tourism Development Council • Vice Chairman, Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission • Space Florida, the agency in charge of aerospace economic development in the state • Independence National Bank, which provides various banking products and services • Taylor, Bean and Whitaker, which was once the fifth largest mortgage company in the country.
Danny’s ambition, far-reaching influence, and desire to serve have combined to advance many causes and greatly benefitted a variety of organizations and individuals locally, statewide and nationally.
