Recognizing impact

Dan Verbanac will be honored with the 2026 NWTC Distinguished Alumni Award during Alumni Night on November 5. The recognition celebrates outstanding personal and professional achievements, commitment to the College’s values, and community involvement.

Verbanac, a 1984 NWTC Data Processing program graduate, is a 40-year veteran of the energy industry. He is a senior vice president of Constellation, the nation’s largest supplier of carbon-free energy, and serves as president and chief executive officer of Constellation NewEnergy, Inc., Calpine Energy Solutions, and Champion Energy Services.

For more than a decade, Verbanac has served on the NWTC Foundation Board, including in leadership roles supporting the Foundation’s financial and strategic initiatives. He engages with donors, business leaders, and community stakeholders to promote NWTC’s mission and expand support for its programs.

In addition, he regularly shares his personal story with prospective students and young professionals, encouraging them to consider NWTC as a valuable path to a successful career. He has also served as commencement speaker for the College.

“I have been a strong advocate for NWTC throughout my career, as I sincerely believe my success began with the education and opportunities I received there,” he said.

His community involvement extends to the Greater Green Bay YMCA Board, where he served for nine years. Additionally, he is vice chairman of REAL (Retail Executive Action League) and president of the Silver Lake Preservation Association.

‘Critical stepping stone’

As a Data Processing student at NWTC, Verbanac gained a strong technical foundation as a computer programmer, which enabled him to enter the workforce immediately and secure his first role in information technology.

Over the course of his career, he grew into leadership roles, now leading a multibillion-dollar business. As he progressed through the years – from IT into broader business leadership – he could draw on his experience and knowledge from personally building many of the systems that supported the business.

“NWTC served as the critical stepping stone that opened doors for me, both professionally and educationally. It provided me with the opportunity to begin my career in a growing field and continue advancing my education,” said Verbanac.

After graduating with his associate degree from NWTC, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Lakeland College (now Lakeland University) and complete the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

“I hope my story demonstrates that NWTC can be a powerful catalyst for opportunity and long-term success,” he said. “I am proud to represent the value of its programs to future students and the broader community.”