At Viking Fire Protection, we believe in showcasing our dedicated workforce. We are proud to be the employer of choice for the industry’s most experienced and talented fire protection professionals. Because we value our exceptional specialists, across Canada, we dedicate a segment of our blog, the “Join the Fire Protection Best!” series, to share their unique stories.
For this article, we have chosen to highlight a Technical Sales Representative at our Viking Regina branch: Dan Clark. This story is about an exceptional athlete whose journey from the world of professional football to fire alarm sales has been nothing short of impressive.
In the Viking Regina office, one of our technical sales reps actually won the 2013 Grey Cup title: his name is Dan R. Clark. Dan’s transition from a career in professional football, as an offensive lineman for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, to fire alarm sales has been truly remarkable.
When Dan joined the Regina team, he dove headfirst into his role, setting an ambitious goal for himself: to become “the best fire alarm salesperson in the province.” His unwavering dedication, along with his enthusiastic team spirit, has already set him on that path. Dan’s quick success stems from his relentless drive, commitment to learning, and the outstanding attitude he brings to every task. Winning the Grey Cup and making his first touchdown are among his best memories in playing professional football, having already achieved these memorable milestones, he’s now striving for new heights in his sales career.
“When Dan came on board, we had almost no requests for fire alarm pricing. But Dan immediately hit the streets, reaching out to every potential client he could. His outgoing personality and strong customer service commitment have already yielded results, with new pricing requests coming in daily. Dan has built genuine relationships with electrical contractors and suppliers in our area, leading to a steady increase in his sales numbers. Remarkably, he even helped us secure several large-scale projects—an impressive feat for anyone, let alone someone so new to the field.”-Mike Monette, District Manager
In his past football life, Dan Clark played with the Riders from 2009 to 2022. He was CFL all-star, named the Roughriders Most Outstanding Lineman, and shared in the Riders’ 45-23 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2013 Grey Cup game at old Mosaic Stadium.
In the picture below, Dan Clark #67, when the Saskatchewan Roughriders took on the Ottawa Red Blacks in CFL in Regina, SK on Saturday, August 24th, 2019. Photo Credit: Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards
Dan’s path to becoming a leading fire alarm salesperson is built on the strong foundation of his 13+ year sports career. Transitioning from professional athlete to an industry specialist, Dan has demonstrated an incredible ability to learn, adapt and grow. His knowledge expands daily through self-study and support from his Viking Fire team, especially his colleagues in British Columbia and Alberta. In particular Bob Kerr, Mike McIntyre, and Paul Huntington who provided mentorship and support to help Dan develop his expertise.
Which achievement is Dan most proud of so far at Viking Fire? He answered with the following: “I’m most proud of how quickly I adapted to the fire alarm industry despite having no prior background. Learning the technical aspects and regulations has been challenging, but I embraced the challenge. It’s been a steep learning curve, but having the support and guidance of my colleagues has made a significant impact. Their expertise and encouragement have been invaluable in guiding my career with Viking Fire”.
According to his district manager, Dan’s eager-to-learn attitude, coupled with his commitment to excellence, makes him an ideal student. His determination to stay on top of industry trends and product knowledge is apparent in every client interaction, ensuring Viking Fire clients receive the most informed service possible.
Photo Credit: Riderville.com – Dan Clark Named 2022 Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award Winner
Since he started working at Viking Regina, Dan’s energy and work ethic have had a lasting impact on his office’s culture: “Dan’s biggest contributions to our team are his amazing team-first attitude and strong work ethic. There is no task Dan will say no to. His priority has always been to do what is best for the group. He helps foster a supportive, collaborative, and positive environment in our office. It’s a pleasure working with Dan every day.” – Mike Monette, District Manager
Clark’s contributions have not been limited to the field. He was among the most active players in the community and has embraced his role as an ambassador. In fact, he was the 2022 Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award Winner: this recognition is awarded to a Canadian player who demonstrates the attributes of Canada’s veterans: Strength, perseverance, courage, comradeship and contribution to Canadian communities. At the awards ceremony, the CFL Commissioner, Randy Ambrosie, commented the following about Dan: “He stands tall in the Riders locker room as a veteran and as a leader, and every bit as important is what he stands for in the community. He is an incredible role model to his teammates, the entire league and all Canadians.”
The following Rider Radio video is one of Dan’s latest interviews where he discusses his CFL retirement and mentions his new fire alarm sales career:
Dan’s journey from professional sports to technical sales continues to inspire us all, and we have no doubt he’ll achieve his goal of becoming the best in the province. Here’s to Dan—a rising star in the fire alarm industry and a cherished member of our team!
At Viking, we take pride in employing the best technical sales representatives in the industry. We value and reward our outstanding specialists, reflecting a high employee retention rate. By choosing a career as a technical sales rep. at Viking, you gain access to mentorship and solid professional guidance from our staff. We employ top experts, recognized across Canada, who share their skills to shape the next generation of experts.
At Viking Fire Protection, you will find a work environment that fosters your professional development and allows you to become tomorrow’s expert.
For 90 years, our strong reputation has been built on our commitment to providing top-notch fire protection products and services, that perfectly meet our clients’ requirements.
Apply today and join one of the most respected fire protection companies in Canada!
Viking systems are designed and installed exclusively according to NFPA standards. Our team uses products that are recognized by ULC and FM Approved standards. Viking Fire Protection also meets pre-qualification requirements by several recognized organizations
