The man who named it Gold Medal
Nine companies, Air Force rescue missions, medical research in New York, and a family recipe from County Armagh. The full story of Dan O’Shevlin.
Dan
O’Shevlin
Nine companies built since 1992. Then he finished his grandfather’s recipe.
The record
Dan starts companies, and companies in trouble recruit him. Since 1992 he has led as CEO in medical manufacturing, research and development, patient care, entertainment, and food and beverage.
- 9
- companies planned and launched with Dan as CEO
- 13
- of his inventions brought to market
- +233%
- return on investment within six months of taking over a struggling company. Three failing corporations brought him in, and he turned each one cash-positive.
- 21
- gold, triple gold, platinum and best-of-show awards for Bonn Óir in international competition
Hand-pick the team. Hold everyone to the highest standard. Reward every contribution with a seat at the closing table. Then do it again.
A recipe that crossed the Atlantic
Dan’s grandfather came to America from Ireland hoping to distill and sell the spirits his family made. He never got the chance. After a long fight with cancer he died, and left two recipes to his first-born son.
Dan’s father asked him to finish what the old man started. With his background in biochemistry, Dan took the recipes into research and development and came out with the first Irish-American vodka made in the United States.
He called it Bonn Óir, Irish for gold medal.
Dan created every bottle in the range, from the Bonn Óir vodkas to Triple Dog Irish Whiskey.
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Gold Medal Vodka
Soft white wheat and pure glacial water. All natural and gluten free. Took gold at the 2015 International Craft Spirits Competition.
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Irish Fire
A cinnamon-infused premium vodka. Won the Platinum Award, the top honor at the SIP Awards consumer tasting competition, before its 2015 debut.
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Lite
“Lite and Lucky.” A vodka with natural flavors, made from the same family recipe.
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Triple Dog Irish Whiskey
Dan’s Irish whiskey, bottled at 80 proof and finished with a spiked collar and a dog-head stopper. The label carries the family’s 1916 date and three words: Take the Dare.
The path here
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Education
University of Miami
Studied biochemistry and quantum physics.
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Training
USAF School of Aerospace Medicine
Graduated valedictorian, after studying how hypoxic hypoxia and vertigo affect the body at high altitude and mach speeds.
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Service
United States Air Force
Four years with the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, flying rescue and recovery sorties in UH-1 helicopters. Honorably discharged to continue his studies.
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Study
Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Columbia University
Advanced study of the human body, quantum mechanics and theoretical physics. The work led to one of his thirteen marketed inventions.
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1992
First role as CEO
Built a medical manufacturing company around his invention and led it to a sought-after exit.
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1996
Atlanta Olympics
Sent 60 of his 128 employees on a three-week, all-expenses-paid trip to the Summer Games.
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2015
Bonn Óir
Launched through the O’Shevlin Importing Company in Dallas. The range was recognized across the industry that year.
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2017
United Services Academy
Dan’s trade school, founded to give veterans leaving the military the skills and mindset to thrive in the civilian workforce. Today the academy trains veterans in HVAC/R, electrical and plumbing at its campus in Puerto Rico, alongside his nonprofit, With Your Shield. us.academy
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Next
NMA Academy
A hands-on, two-week course in aesthetic injectables for practitioners adding the service to their practice. nmaacademy.com
That others may live
The motto of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, the command Dan’s squadron flew under. The squadron still flies today as the 38th Rescue Squadron, an active Air Force pararescue unit in the 347th Rescue Group, 23rd Wing, at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.
At home in McKinney
Dan gives his time across McKinney and north Dallas: mentoring young entrepreneurs, supporting the homeless, and coaching girls’ softball from developmental through select leagues, ages 6 to 14.
He coaches the way he runs a company. Hard work, integrity, loyalty and support for your teammates. His teams have won championships year after year.
Where Dan is involved
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Founder · Trade school
United Services Academy
Dan’s trade school for veterans. Six weeks of skilled trades training in HVAC/R, electrical and plumbing, with the business and soft skills to start a career. Tuition is free for qualified combat veterans.
us.academy -
Founder · Nonprofit
With Your Shield
Dan’s nonprofit for veterans. It works with United Services Academy to cover tuition, housing, meals and travel for U.S. veterans training in the trades, with job placement and a path to business ownership. Its mission is to reduce veteran suicide through purpose, honor and stability.
withyourshield.us -
Training
NMA Academy
A hands-on, two-week course in aesthetic injectables for practitioners adding the service to their practice.
nmaacademy.com
Bring Dan a venture worth building
He works with founders, investors and teams who bring the same fire. For partnerships, mentoring and press, write to his office.
Email Dan’s office