Tacoma PR pro Dan Voelpel leaves legacy of leaders, McMenamin's destination
Tacoma community booster and public relations pioneer Dan Voelpel, 62, died Jan. 4, 2023, after a battle with brain cancer that caused him to step down last year from his longstanding role as the Tacoma Public Schools executive director of communication. Dan was honored this past October with the chapter's Jay Rockey Lifetime Achievement Award, marking his decades of service to the community and the public relations profession. Dan's background included two stints at The News Tribune as a reporter and later award-winning business columnist known for leading the campaign to bring McMenamin's hotel developers to Tacoma, 12 years as the City of Tacoma's first-ever community relations manager, and 12 years as executive director of communications for Tacoma Public Schools. Today, numerous public relations leaders in this region and beyond point to Dan Voelpel as their mentor, their champion, and their friend.
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Dan was the first communication director for the City of Tacoma. He quickly built a team that set a high bar for government communications. His balance between strategic thinking and people-centeredness made Dan a great leader and communicator.
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One of Dan’s most remarkable accomplishments at the city was leading a campaign called The Collectors—singing garbage men who told city residents their garbage and recycling services would change. The campaign was featured in national media, including a feature on Good Morning America.
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Dan also led the team that identified Tacoma as the nation’s Number 1 Wired City. The campaign brought business and notoriety to Tacoma during the dotcom boom.
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Dan spent his career dedicated to the communication profession, including serving over a decade as Executive Director of Communications for Tacoma Public Schools. He held his team and himself to the highest standards of quality, creativity, and honesty. His leadership was invaluable to Tacoma Public Schools. During his tenure Dan helped to change the community perception of the district for the better, and helping boost TPS’ graduation rates.
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Dan also gave his time and his talents to community and professional organizations like Child Care Aware of Washington, 3CMA, the Washington Schools Public Relations Association, Tacoma-Pierce County American Leadership Forum, and so many more.
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Dan is perhaps most famous—and appropriately so—for inspiring the McMenamin brothers to buy the deteriorating Tacoma Elks Lodge and eventually turn it into a unique dining, hotel and live music experience. It started with a column in 2003 headlined “An Open Letter to the McMenamin Brothers,” in which Dan highlighted nine historic Tacoma properties that matched the eclectic chain's style. One hundred and eighty readers emailed McMenamins. Mike McMenamin responded to Dan and asked for a tour. Fifteen years and one Great Recession later, McMenamins Elks Temple opened its doors and instantly changed Tacoma’s psyche. Dan was right—Tacoma IS cool!
