Dakota worked throughout the aviation industry until 2015. He has a BS from Southern Illinois University in aviation (Go Flying Salukis!). He has a MS in aviation safety from Embry Riddle Aviation University.

Since 2-23-2015, Dakota has become a cancer warrior. That is when he was diagnosed with stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma. Still  fighting, but it costs close to 25,000 per month to keep me alive. I don't know how long that will hold up.

I do however, donate much of my time to a project in the midwest. My family, along with I, donated close to 200 acres of natural land in southwestern Michigan to be a nature preserve. I am active with this, and often travel up to Michigan to help and oversee various projects.

http://swmlc.org/project/portman-nature-preserve/

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