Since January 2020, Dan Gerlach has owned and managed a public policy firm (Dan Gerlach LLC) where he serves business, philanthropic, governmental, and nonprofit clients. The firm has worked with over 60 clients to date and retains several from the beginning of the practice. Previously, he served the public for 25 years as a budget advisor to Gov. Easley, President of the Golden LEAF Foundation, leader of a public policy research organization, and interim Chancellor of East Carolina University. He earned a B.A. in Economics and English from the University of Notre Dame and a M.P.A. in state and local finance from Syracuse University.