Skokan leaving Progress Industries on a high note

A sense of stability and confidence in the future — that’s what retiring CEO Dan Skokan hopes to leave Progress Industries with when he exits in mid-January. With a persistent reminder that it was a group effort, those at PI were quick to give a lot of credit to the man in charge.

“I am proud of our accomplishments, and I emphasize ‘our,’ because it has been a team effort. I have been blessed with a wonderful group of talented and dedicated people both to work with and to serve,” Skokan said.

A Newton native, Skokan graduated high school from Newton and went on to Iowa State University, where he was in the ROTC military program. He served six years in the military before working as a CPA full time.

“After a 30-plus year career in public accounting I wanted to do something different. I wanted to spend a few years where I could make a difference in people’s lives,” Skokan said.

Skokan started at PI in 2003, but before his first day on the job, he had a dinner with PI board members along with a family whose child used the services. That interaction with the parents really put into perspective what Skokan wanted to do while at PI, he said.

“To see the concern of parents about what’s going to happen to my child when I am gone is just touching. It gave me a lot of drive to make sure we would be there long term,” Skokan said.

When starting at the company, Skokan had three initial goals: to establish a culture and set of corporate values to guide how it accomplishes its mission, to enhance and improve the work environment, image and perception of PI and to build financial strength to better ensure the long-term sustainability of PI.

“Hopefully what I have done is help stabilize and have a model that helps deal with costs and a foundation that’s increased in value and has the ability to help support Progress Industries when need is there and the funding isn’t there, Skokan said.

A few career highlights of his time at Progress Industries includes the start of a day rehabilitation program in 2005 that offers structured therapeutic and instructional services. The program started with 18 people and has grown to serve more than 70 people daily. His work helped increase the PI Foundation’s asset base by 12 percent as of 2011.

In 2012, the PI Foundation purchased its first home in Polk County and has since increased the number to six homes currently in use. As of October 2014, 60 individuals began transitioning to Progress Industries to help support the expanded employment services in Story County.

Several building renovations also took place to help maintain a safe, accessible environment for persons served and employees. The roof was replaced, a HVAC system was replaced to include zone heating, new accessible doors and a keyless remote entry system was installed, a shelter house and sculpture garden were added along with courtyard landscaping and the front entrance gained a brick pathway, landscaping and a sculpture garden.

Skokan made a lasting impression on the business as well as the people. Although always exited for the future, everyone will miss a part of their past as Skokan heads to retirement.

“Now I am ready for the next chapter in my life. I am looking forward to spending more time with family and friends (and) I am going to try to figure out “who” I want to be for the rest of my life,” Skokan said.

An open house to send him off into retirement will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Jan. 14 at Progress Industries. All are invited to celebrate Skokan’s time at PI and wish him well in his retirement.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com