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About Daniel H. Sohn

The Honorable Daniel H. Sohn is an award-winning business advocate, human rights + DEI consultant & civics champion, who has held key leadership roles in chamber of commerce/ business association management, economic & workforce development, and destination marketing. 

Positions have included:

  • Interim CEO of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau

  • CEO of the Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce

  • President & CEO of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce

  • President & CEO of the Antioch Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • President & CEO of the Orlando Pride Chamber

In 2018, Daniel made history when he was elected as a City Councilmember for the Town of Haverhill, Florida, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected in the city’s history and the first out bisexual person elected to hold public office in the state of Florida.
 

After narrowly losing re-election by a single vote, Daniel established The Florida Center for Civic Engagement. Driven by his vision, Daniel and his campaign team aimed to create a statewide platform empowering Florida's citizens with enhanced hands-on experiences to deepen their understanding and involvement in the civic arena. As part of its initiatives, the center founded #FloridaCivicsWeek, an annual statewide celebration of the civic process, further promoting civic engagement and education throughout Florida. Learn More: www.FloridaCivicsWeek.com


In February 2020, Daniel and his husband Kai were married in a historic wedding ceremony officiated in Tallahassee by Former Central FL State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith, becoming the first LGBT couple to be married in the Florida State Capitol Building. See Coverage here: Making history: First same-sex wedding held in Florida Capitol

 

Having relocated to the State of California, Daniel was nominated by California Governor Gavin Newsom and appointed by the Director of The Selective Service, in the name of U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, as a Board Member, representing the State of California, to the Nation’s Selective Service System. 

 

In November 2021, Daniel was given one of the greatest honors of his professional career when he was named an Honorary Member of the Los Vigilantes, a revered civic organization with a storied history of providing services to the communities of California's Imperial Valley. Honorary Members are far and few, with a list that includes U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, former California Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, Alan Hale Jr. (“Skipper” from Gilligan’s Island),  several local dignitaries, and Naval Air Facility Commanders. Daniel remains grateful for the family of brothers he gained that day.

In 2022, Daniel accepted the "Pride Business Leadership Award" from the North Bay Business Journal for his noteworthy contributions as an out-and-proud executive.

In March 2023, Daniel was named an "Orlando Magic Diversity Game Changer" by the NBA & the Orlando Magic for his work as a local leader dedicated to advancing social justice and equality. 

Most recently, Daniel became a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award from U.S. President Joseph R. Biden in recognition of his significant contributions to volunteerism, community service, and civic engagement. The award was presented to him by Antioch, California Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe at a special ceremony held on October 17, 2024 in the Council Chambers at Antioch City Hall. The event was held in partnership with the Mayors Office, The President's Council on Service & Civic Participation, AmeriCorps and the Points of Light Foundation. 

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