Dane Block Jr. – 20 Under 40

When work brought him to Dallas in 2021, Dane Block wanted to use his lifelong love of sports to get involved with the community. 

“My first call was to the Moody Family YMCA,” he said. “Having grown up in youth sports and YMCA programs, I felt an urge to plant roots and get involved in a community through an avenue with which I was largely familiar.”

At the Y, he is a volunteer coach and the youngest board member.

“As a volunteer coach, I have the privilege to lead children of this community and build strong, healthy spirits through sports,” he said.

As a board member, “I have the opportunity to be a part of the strategic planning, development, and execution of key programs and initiatives that directly benefit this community and beyond.” 

This year he joined the private investment firm Latticework Capital Management after first coming to Dallas as an investment banking associate with Stephens Inc. 

Block said he appreciates the welcome from the Dallas community.

“After expressing interest in getting involved in the community and showing a little bit of love and passion behind my efforts, I was met with an overwhelming amount of support from people who had no business investing in an outsider with no real ties to the area,” Block said.

He hopes to continue building relationships and growing in his career in the future.

“I love what I do and enjoy the incredible people doing revolutionary things I meet and work with along the way. The opportunity to work with business owners, founders, and management teams to build foundations, grow operations and ultimately recognize value for work put in is a rewarding career,” he said.

Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

I have been incredibly blessed with various role models, mentors, and friends throughout the different seasons of my life. To pinpoint just one would be a disservice to the countless individuals I am currently thinking of. However, to give credit where it is due, I have my parents to thank for serving as one of the greatest inspirations in my life. My father, who graduated from the Air Force Academy and served, has taught me how to set a standard for myself and work relentlessly toward personal goals and milestones. My mother, who graduated from Auburn University, has taught me how to show empathy with others and to be vulnerable. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama, and I love them dearly.

What’s on your bucket list?

Over the past couple of years, I have had completing a full Ironman on my bucket list and am currently in training to complete this in October of this year. Beyond that, I want to get into mountain climbing. Climbing some of the world’s tallest mountains is circled on my bucket list, and I look forward to working toward that.

What would you tell an 18-year-old you?

Time is precious and to maximize every opportunity to create a better life for not only myself but those around me. As I look back on the past 8 years, it all has gone by in the blink of an eye. I am incredibly grateful for the experiences and people that have played an intricate role in developing who I am today. It is my call to action to live a life full of urgency to create value for the community around me…after all, we are not promised tomorrow.

Biggest business/career success in the past 12 months?

My biggest career success in the past 12 months has been having the opportunity to continue growing and developing my passion for healthcare investing as a team member at Latticework Capital Management. Every day I get to wake up and go to work with incredibly smart and driven individuals. The standard that my team members hold me to and the encouragement they give have been a huge blessing.

Fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?

I hope others think this is as fun as I do but I can wiggle my ears!