Englewood Dan - Native Son

Dan grew up in Englewood CO and recalls the youthful days spent swimming in the Lion’s Club pool, swinging on the rope swing over the Highline Cannel and riding on the miniature train, now housed in the Belleview Park. He graduated from Cherry Creek High School before earning his bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management for the University of Denver.

It was one of Dan’s first jobs that made him realize the importance of believing in what you do. At the time he was charged with luring convention groups to Denver from the East Coast for a local hotel group. There’s nothing Dan loves more than the outstanding quality of life, quality of people and beautiful scenery here at home in Colorado. This belief emboldened his ability to sell the area, and the role was a perfect fit for Dan.

As a Colorado native, Dan has spent his entire life living want many would consider a dream lifestyle. Skiing since he was three years old. Kayaking the river. Hiking the beautiful back-country trails. But once you get to know Dan, you learn that while he is certainly passionate about those activities, his interpretation of “living the dream” has less to do with lifestyle and more to do with attitude. 

“Dreams come true when your dream’s desire is greater than your fear of failure or fear of not achieving that dream” Dan says, “It’s about the satisfaction of believing in yourself and using that confidence to overcome any challenges.”

I was born and raised in Denver, went to DPS schools, and CU Boulder. Went on to become an optometrist (eye doctor) and practiced in South Denver and Englewood for 33 years. I've been a member of Englewood Lions Club for 36 years and am proud to be of service to the community. I retired from eye care in 2020 and now have a bar/restaurant in Lower Highlands called My Brother's Bar. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Paula. We have one son, Danny (and his wife, Christy), and a grandson, Niko.

Gail Hamilton has been a member of the Englewood Lion’s club since 2011 and is the current president. This is her fourth time being in this role. an acclaimed international motivational speaker, trainer on blindness education, and prolific author Gail’s blindness has not stopped her from living the life she wants.

Gail grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana with two brothers (one being her twin) and one sister. She was born 2-and-a-half months premature and weighed 2 pounds. This coupled with the 100% pure oxygen being placed in her incubator for six weeks caused her to become partially and eventually fully blind.

Attending the Indiana School for the Blind, and later a girl’s high school, Gail went on to receive a BA from William Woods University, Fulton, MO in music-voice, piano, organ, speech, and English-and then to two master’s degrees-the first, in Pittsburg, KS in vocal performance, and the second from the Naropa Institute in Boulder, CO in Psychology and Counseling. Gail has sung leading roles in two major opera productions La Boheme, and La Traviata, and was crowned Ms. Colorado Senior America and 4th-runner up in the national MSA pageant.

Her soaring spirit has led Gail to build her former Habitat for Humanity home, to climb the historic 75-story Sydney Harbor bridge, and to partner with seven spectacular Seeing Eye dogs, Gretel, Lorraine, Kamber, Vinnie, Sarge, Maggie, and Ava.

Gail’s first book, Soaring into Greatness, a Blind Woman’s Vision to Live her Dreams and Fly relays Gail’s story of perseverance and passion. Her second book, Soaring Into Greatness, How to Live an Unstoppable, Unforgettable, Unbelievable Life Workbook is coming out soon.

To find out more information about Gail, please visit her website: soaringintogreatness.com

Gary Condreay and his wife Kim are Englewood natives and have lived all of their lives in Englewood except for one year.  They have three children and six grandkids.  Gary has been a member of the Englewood Lions Club for 11 years and has served as President for three years.  He feels it is important to serve the community where you live.  Gary spent 40 years working for the City of Englewood Police Department and retired in 2016.  Gary currently works with Kim at their Transamerica Financial Advisors company, and they enjoy traveling and spending time with family.

I’ve been a lion for the past 29 years. I’ve had the pleasure of being president of the club and keeping track of our foundation’s finances. I love being a lion most when we do outdoor service projects-planting trees, cleaning up trash, etc.

I was born in Utah and riding horses in the hills was my favorite childhood activity. As I grew older, I spent time both in Utah and Washington State. I have a BS from Weber State University, a JD from Gonzaga University, and LLM degree from the University of Denver. I’ve spent my life being a lawyer.

I’m married to my husband Glen, have two daughters-Austyn and Madison, and I have one grandson Murdoc. And, of course, my fur babies are two cats-Charlie and Moxie, and our goldendoodle aussie mix, Ollie.

Over the course of my life, I’ve traveled to 10 foreign countries and have too many memories to mention. However, my favorite things to do are to spend time with my grandson, hiking, camping, and eating Mexican food. … I’m counting down the days until I retire and find myself living on an island, and you’ll never ever find me! 😊