Daniel R. “Dan” Gernatt, Jr., born July 14, 1940, is an American entrepreneur, businessman, and dairy farmer, born in Gowanda, New York (1, 2). Gernatt is the top executive of his family’s businesses, the Gernatt Family of Companies that include Gernatt Asphalt Products, Inc.; Dan Gernatt Gravel Products; and Countryside Sand and Gravel (3).
Gernatt was recognized with a unanimous proclamation by the New York State Assembly in his receipt of the 1996 Spirit of Gowanda Business Award. He has also been active in community, political, and personal endeavors, including being a trustee of the Daniel and Flavia Gernatt Family Foundation, donating to various charities, holding various leadership positions in the Classic Car Club of America, and serving as a member of Chris Collins’ Erie County executive transition team. Gernatt has residences in both South Dayton and Angola, New York.
Gernatt was born to Daniel R. Gernatt, Sr. and Flavia C. (Schmitz) Gernatt, individuals of German and Austrian heritage (4). Gernatt credits his parents and strong parochial education for being where he is today (5). Gernatt’s first employment was in his family’s Collins, New York dairy farm, Dan Gernatt Farms, once known as having the largest dairy herd in Erie County, New York and that held Sir Taurus as stud (5).
Later, Gernatt began working in his family’s mining businesses, now known as the Gernatt Family of Companies. In his career with the companies, Gernatt has held nearly every employment position that he has required of his employees (5). Currently, he serves as the chief executive officer of the companies, recognized as the largest New York State-approved supplier of aggregates, and the 34th largest supplier of crushed stone in the United States (6).
Largely responsible for the expansions and growth of the companies, Gernatt began such growth by purchasing the former John L. Benz plant, located in Springville, New York, in 1979 (5, 7). Today, the corporate businesses span a radius of about 70 miles, and include Dan Gernatt Gravel Products, Inc.; Gernatt Asphalt Products, Inc.; and Country Side Sand and Gravel, Inc., with headquarters at Taylor Hollow Road in Collins, New York (3).
Other businesses are in Gowanda, Freedom, Irving, Great Valley, Springville, Chaffee, West Seneca, Delevan, South Dayton, and Westfield, all in the New York State counties of Erie, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua (3). The companies have been doing business for more than 50 years (8). Gernatt is also owner and manager of the Gowanda Airport, identified as D59 by the Federal Aviation Administration, and open to the public (9).
Gernatt is a founding director of M&T Bank’s Vision Group of Funds, and is one of four of its outside directors (10). He is also a member of the boards of directors of the Erie County Republican Party Leadership Council; United States Congressional Leadership Council; Erie County Chairmen’s Association; and Collins Volunteer Fire Company (11). He has further served on the boards of directors of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute (12) and Hilbert College (11). Gernatt is a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Classic Car Club Museum and is the national director of the Classic Car Club of America (11, 13).
The New York State Assembly recognized Gernatt for receiving the Business Award from the Gowanda Chamber of Commerce in 1996, with a unanimous proclamation regarding it in his honor (14). The proclamation was presented to him by former Congressmember Thomas M. Reynolds (15, 16). In an article included in the February 12, 1996 edition of the Gowanda Penny Saver News, former New York Attorney General Dennis Vacco is quoted, stating about Gernatt’s receipt of Gowanda’s Business Award, “The state sometimes forgets about the small business leaders and the things they do for their communities” (16).
In 1999, Gernatt received the Distinguished Service Award from the Classic Car Club of America, the highest award bestowed by the organization (17). In 2011, Hilbert College bestowed upon Gernatt an honorary doctorate of humane letters (18). The college also issued Gernatt the Hilbert College Franciscan Values Award in 2013 in recognition of his financial support to the institution (19, 20).
Active in his community, Gernatt was a member of former Erie County Executive Chris Collins’ executive transition committee in 2007 (21). He has also been a supporter of causes for charity, which includes donations and fundraisers for the Boy Scouts of America, Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo; March of Dimes; American Heart Association; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; American Lung Association; and the Buffalo Museum of Science Magnet School (18).
Gernatt is a trustee of the Daniel and Flavia Gernatt Family Foundation, a foundation established by his parents and named for his family that provides financial assistance to people in need, as well as to charitable organizations that assist those in need. As a member of St. Joseph Parish in Gowanda, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, Gernatt has served as Santa Claus for more than four decades (22, 23).
Gernatt, his companies, and family members and company representatives have made political contributions to political candidates and political actions committees (PACs) since 1987, totaling approximately $200,000 (24-46). Nearly all of those individuals who have received monies are members of the Republican Party, while most PACs are associated with the mining industry and Republican Party (24-46).
Gernatt has been a life-long resident of Western New York, and life-long parishioner of St. Joseph Parish in Gowanda (5, 15, 16). He is father to four children (Daniel III, Dianna Gernatt Saraf, the late D.R. Timothy, and Donald) with his former wife, Dolores (5, 15, 16). He is presently married to his wife, Roseann. In his spare time, Gernatt enjoys playing tennis, piloting his Cessna Turbo airplane, taking aerial photographs, and showing his antique and classic cars (5, 47-49).
References
1: Million Dollar Directory, Volume 1 (2006). Dun & Bradstreet, Inc.
2: “Wilmington Funds: Vision Institutional Group of Funds: Annual Report to Shareholders, 2002” (April 30, 2002). Securities and Exchange Commission (Washington, DC). http://www.secinfo.com/d1Z7hf.3bh.htm. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
3: Gernatt Asphalt Products, Inc. (2001). Collins, NY: Author. http://www.gernatt.com. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
4: Quinn, Jack (September 20, 1995). “Tribute to Msgr. David A. Gernatt.” Congressional Record/United States Congress, Washington, DC. https://beta.congress.gov/congressional-record/1995/09/20/extensions-of-remarks-section/article/e1812-2/?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22gernatt%22%5D%7D. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
5: “Spirit of Gowanda 1995 Annual Report” (February 1996). Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce (Gowanda, New York).
6: “Top 50 U.S. crushed-stone producing companies: 34: Dan Gernatt Gravel Products, Inc.” (June 1, 2012). Pit &Quarry.
7: “On the record” (July 19, 2005). Buffalo, NY: Buffalo News/Berkshire Hathaway.
8: “Gernatt Family of Companies celebrate 50 years in materials industry” (2005). Pit & Quarry, 98 (6) 10. http://search.proquest.com/docview/214032020?. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
9: “Gowanda Airport” (2014). AirNav.com. http://www.airnav.com/airport/D59. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
10: “Securities and Exchange Commission: Registration Statement: MTB Group of Funds” (April 15, 2011). Securities and Exchange Commission (Washington, DC). http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/830744/000119312511099507/d485bpos.htm. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
11: “Hilbert College: 2012 report” (2012). Issuu.com. Palo Alto, California. http://issuu.com/hilbertcollege/docs/hc_2012_report. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
12:Deck-Miller, A. (February 4, 2009). “Gernatt joins Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Board.” Roswell Park Cancer Institute (Buffalo, New York). https://www.roswellpark.org/media/news/gernatt-joins-roswell-park-alliance-foundation-board. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
13: The Classic Car, Vols. 46-47 (1998). Classic Car Club of America/University of Michigan.
14: “Unanimous Proclamation of the New York State Assembly of Daniel Gernatt, Jr. upon his Receipt of the Gowanda Business Award” (1995). New York State Assembly (Albany, New York).
15: 1996 awards presented at chamber dinner (January 8, 1996). Gowanda Penny Saver News (Gowanda, New York).
16: “Vogtli and Gernatt receive spirit awards” (February 1996). Gowanda, NY: Gowanda Penny Saver News.
17: Classic Car, Volume 48, Issue 2 – Volume 49, Issue 2 (1999). Classic Car Club of America/University of Michigan.
18: Rey, J. (May 8, 2011). “Mother, daughter share milestone at Hilbert.” McClatchy – Tribune Business News (Washington, DC).
19: “San Damiano Awards set for October 3” (September 27, 2013). http://hilbertweekly.wordpress.com/2013/09/. Hilbert College Media Relations.
20: “San Damiano Awards Dinner” (2013). http://www.hilbert.edu/alumni/awards. Hilbert College.
21: “Collins adds 10 to transition team” (November 21, 2007). Buffalo News\Berkshire Hathaway (Buffalo, New York).
22: 2003 St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (January 2004). Eden Prairie, MN: Olan Mills Church Directories.
23: Santa Claus visits St. Joseph’s (image) (March 2012). St. Joseph Times, Vol. 1, No. 9. St. Joseph Church (Gowanda, New York).
24: 2008 election: Dan Gernatt pours money into Republican congressional campaign: Collins donor makes generous gift to Christopher J Lee I (2008). PrimaryPost.com. http://www.primarypost.com/fec/2008/1537277/DAN-GERNATT/PO-400-COLLINS-NY-14034. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
25: Collins, New York (NY) political contributions by individuals (2012). City-Data.com. Advameg, Inc. http://www.city-data.com/elec2/elec-COLLINS-NY.html. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
26: Angola, New York (NY) political contributions by individuals (2012). City-Data.com. Advameg, Inc. http://www.city-data.com/elec2/elec-ANGOLA-NY.html. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
27: Brian Higgins for congress (2014). FindTheBest.com. Summerland, CA: Author. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
28: Dan Gernatt political campaign contributions 2008 election cycle (February 5, 2014). CampaignMoney.com. http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/dan-gernatt.asp?cycle=08. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
29: Campaign financial disclosure reports: Results for 2009 (2009). New York State Board of Elections. Albany, NY: New York State Board of Elections. http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/EFS_24HR_REPORT_DATE?THEYEAR=2009. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
30: McCarthy, R.J. (October 9, 2007). Collins’ personal money is evident in race. Buffalo News. Buffalo, NY: Berkshire Hathaway. http://search.proquest.com/docview/381870497?. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
31: McCarthy, R.J. (October 9, 2007). Collins’ personal money is evident in race: At first averse to self-financing, candidate lends himself $300,000. McClatchy – Tribune Business News. Washington, DC: McClatchy – Tribune Business News. http://search.proquest.com/docview/463977702?. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
32: U.S. Congress: Chris Collins Republican (Elected 2013), NY House district 27 (2012). MapLight.org. Berkeley, CA: MapLight.org. http://maplight.org/us-congress/legislator/1787-chris-collins. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
33: Hamburg, New York (NY) political contributions by individuals (2012). City-Data.com. http://www.city-data.com/elec2/elec-HAMBURG-NY.html#80. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
34: Springville, New York (NY) political contributions by individuals (2012). City-Data.com. http://www.city-data.com/elec2/elec-SPRINGVILLE-NY.html. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
35: Randall Best political campaign contributions 2012 election cycle (2012). CampaignMoney.com. http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/randall-best.asp?cycle=12. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
36: Marshall for Justice Campaign Committee, 2000 (2000). Albany, NY: New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
37: List of all contributors who contributed to recipient(s) whose name is like Fahey for Assembly (2012). New York State Board of Elections. Albany, NY: New York State Board of Elections. http://www.elections.ny.gov:8080/plsql_browser/CONTRIBUTORA_COUNTY?ID_in=A85595&date_From=01/01/2000&date_to=03/05/2012&AMOUNT_From=0&AMOUNT_to=1000000&ZIP1=&ZIP2=&ORDERBY_IN=N&CATEGORY_IN=ALL. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
38: Patrick Gallivan’s campaign finances (2014). ProjectVoteSmart.com. Philipsburg, MT: Project Vote Smart. http://votesmart.org/candidate/campaign-finance/127657/ightt-gallivan#.U1rUZ73D-70. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
39: Dan Gernatt (Jr.): CEO of Gernatt Asphalt (2012). LittleSis.org. Buffalo, NY: Public Accountability Initiative. http://littlesis.org/person/67320/Dan_Gernatt/recipients. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
40: List of all contributors who contributed to recipient(s) whose name is like Committee to Elect Maziarz State Senate (2012). New York State Board of Elections. Albany, NY: New York State Board of Elections. http://www.elections.ny.gov:8080/plsql_browser/CONTRIBUTORA_COUNTY?ID_in=A05179&date_From=01/01/1999&date_to=03/03/2012&AMOUNT_From=0&AMOUNT_to=100000&ZIP1=&ZIP2=&ORDERBY_IN=N&CATEGORY_IN=ALL. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
41: List of all contributors who contributed to recipient(s) whose name is like Mike Ranzenhofer for State Senate (2014). New York State Board of Elections. Albany, NY: New York State Board of Elections. http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/CONTRIBUTORA_COUNTY?ID_in=A37778&date_From=&date_to=&AMOUNT_From=&AMOUNT_to=&ZIP1=&ZIP2=&ORDERBY_IN=N&CATEGORY_IN=ALL. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
42: Delegates: Michael H. Ranzenhofer (2013). DemocratandChronicle.com. McLean, VA: Gannett. http://rocdocs.democratandchronicle.com/delegates/ightt-h-ranzenhofer. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
43: Joseph Giglio (2014). Ballotpedia.org. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
44: Cathy Young’s campaign finances (2014). ProjectVoteSmart.com. Philipsburg, MT: Project Vote Smart. http://votesmart.org/candidate/campaign-finance/2338/cathy-young#.U1qvgr3D-70. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
45: List of all contributors who contributed to recipient(s) whose name is like Friends of Tim Howard (for Sheriff) County Erie Municipality Erie (2014). New York State Board of Elections. Albany, NY: New York State Board of Elections. http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/CONTRIBUTORA_COUNTY?ID_in=C21946&date_From=&date_to=&AMOUNT_From=&AMOUNT_to=&ZIP1=&ZIP2=&ORDERBY_IN=N&CATEGORY_IN=ALL. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
46: Congressional district fact sheet: cycle fundraising, 2011-2012 (2014). OpenSecrets.org. Washington, DC: The Center for Responsive Politics. http://www.opensecrets.org/address/mydistrict.php?id=N00001285. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
47: The Classic Car, Vols. 46-47 (1998). Classic Car Club of America/University of Michigan.
48: Malagon, E. (October 20, 2012). “Car enthusiasts rev up for downtown auto show.” The Ledger (Lakeland, Florida).
49: “Coming up: Hilbert vintage car show (August 16, 2012).” Buffalo, NY: Buffalo News.
Entrepreneurs of Interest in Western New York State 