Dan Atkinson, Thomas College Class of 1982, is the Executive Vice President and third-generation owner of the family run Silvex, Inc., a niche metal company which he has helped to transform into one of the most competitive metal plating companies in the United States.

Dan graduated from Thomas in 1982, leaving school after four memorable years of forging life-long friendships. His hard work-ethic and gregarious personality made it easy for him to transition into the family business, Silvex Inc., a third-generation family owned, and an internationally recognized metal company based in Portland, ME. Dan took on a client-facing role helping Silvex to reevaluate their operations, streamline their services, and successfully negotiate their integration into new markets.

During this time, he was regularly working more than sixty hours a week helping to expand the business. However, now that he’s getting closer to retirement, he’s embracing a more normal work week and he likes to reflect on the impact that Thomas College has had on his life.

“Thomas gave me life-long friendships and taught me to never stop learning. I gained foresight into new and shifting markets, and the importance of consistent training – things that laid the foundation for my current personal and professional good fortune.”

Now that he has more free time, Dan likes to go skydiving, visit and play a couple rounds of golf on PGA courses across the country, and most importantly, spend quality time with his family.

When asked what advice Dan has for tomorrow’s Thomas graduates, he says, “I would just say to them, don’t put things off until tomorrow, don’t wait. Live your life to the fullest, be with your family and friends, and enjoy the ride!”