NJP (Nice Jewish Person) Dan Snyder!
Each month, The Well highlights an amazing (and eligible!) individual.
This month, we have a conversation with NJP Dan Snyder!
TW: How did you decide to make your adult life in Metro Detroit?
DS: It is all about family for me. I graduated from Wayne State University in 2014 and had a few opportunities to move away after school, but it was not the right fit. Being around my family is extremely important to me.
TW: You're currently a Senior Buyer at Lear Corporation. Tell us a little bit about what your day-to-day looks like and what your favorite part of your job is.
DS: My job is in the field I went to school for, Global Supply Chain Management. I have been in Purchasing for a year and a half, but before that I was working in Lear’s Materials Center of Excellence department. Currently I buy Trimmed Assemblies for Seats in vehicles (headrests, armrests, back panels, carpets). Day-to-day I manage the suppliers I am responsible for in regard to current business, or sometimes I am working on an RFQ (request for quote) to award suppliers business for future vehicle programs. My favorite part of my job is always problem solving and my mind is always running; never a dull moment in purchasing.
TW: Outside of your job description, you're still very involved in your company and other endeavors in the business world. You're currently wrapping up a 2-year term as President of Lear Young Professionals and working in Alumni Relations for the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University. How did you get involved in these organizations and what have you learned along the way?
DS: Lear Young Professionals (LYP) was established in 2015. We wanted to create this affinity group in order to participate in and create network and community outreach events to overall enhance the experience of working at Lear. I had always had a leadership role since its inception, and then took on the President responsibilities for two years. We had much success and reorganized our leadership team and standardized many of our events year over year. In regards to Wayne State, I have always been super active within the Mike Ilitch School of Business whether it’s taking a leadership role in the student-run Global Supply Chain Management group, attending career fairs for my employers, or most recently on the Leadership Team as the Head of Student Relations for the Mike Ilitch School of Business Alumni Council. The main takeaways from these experiences is to always develop your network, give back to the community and to always remember where you came from.
TW: Being involved in the Jewish community is also important to you. You've been a BBYO Advisor, Moishe House resident, Birthright trip leader, and Maccabi Games Staff, among involvement in other organizations. Why is leadership in the Jewish community meaningful to you? Any favorite experiences you'd like to share?
DS: Jewish communal volunteering is my number one priority. The Jewish community is the most strong, spirited and loving community in the world. I am always looking for the next opportunity to help out in the Jewish community and give back. Being on the 2019 JCC Maccabi Games & Artsfest Steering Committee as the Head of Signage was a unique experience since I have never been involved in Maccabi in the past. It was so tremendous to see the work of all the volunteers on the Steering Committee and in the Detroit Jewish Community to all come together and create a meaningful and lasting impact on so many Jewish teenagers and families by putting on a successful 2019 Maccabi Games! Another unique experience was being able to staff four different Birthright groups with young Jewish adults from all over the USA; I always learn more about each participant’s Jewish background during the trips and hope to spread a meaningful message about Judaism to enhance their Jewish journey while in Israel!
TW: One of your biggest passions is traveling; you've been to 27 countries! Can you tell us about your most memorable trip? Anywhere you'd love to go that you haven't been to yet?
DS: I do enjoy traveling solo, but my most favorite and memorable trip was last year with my friend Aleks (who I coincidentally met while I was a Moishe House resident) and we went to Norway, Finland and Russia. We visited many cities including Oslo, Bergen, Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Moscow. Norway is my favorite place to go and I have been there twice. The first day we actually were in Oslo during Norway’s Constitution Day (think 4th of July, but in Norway – big party!). The highlight of the trip was a 13-hour trek in Norway on one of the most scenic hikes in the world, Trolltunga. The hike in total was 7 hours uphill, and 6 hours downhill and as the Norwegians say, we had jelly legs after! A day before the Trolltunga hike we had the most fresh and tasty lox in the world at the famous Bergen Fish Market. In Helsinki we ate at a famous Finnish cafe called Café Kappeli and explored the city. St. Petersburg and Moscow were extremely memorable with all the beautiful historical sites including visiting the Hermitage and going to Red Square and seeing Saint Basil’s Cathedral. But possibly the coolest aspect of the trip was having Shabbat dinner in Oslo and St. Petersburg! It is amazing how simple it can be to access a Shabbat dinner while traveling. Eventually I would love to go to Japan, or even Dubai.
TW: After a long day, what's your favorite way to de-stress and unwind?
DS: I love going to the gym and being active. I recently started doing yoga too. After the gym I do enjoy playing video games with friends. Sometimes I also binge Netflix; my favorite shows are Prison Break and The Blacklist.
TW: You've already seen quite a bit of the world, so what fictional place would you most like to travel to and why?
DS: I would love to explore the world of Arda! Lord of The Rings is an awesome story and I would love to see everything there including Middle-earth.
TW: What's your favorite Jewish holiday and why?
DS: I love Passover because it brings the whole family together to tell the story of Moses and when we were slaves in Egypt. Also, it’s the prime holiday for Matzah Ball Soup!
TW: What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
DS: Graduating high school and college. Those are huge milestones to me. I am almost done with my MBA at Wayne State (Go Warriors!) so that will be among one of my most proud accomplishments too. Education was always a high priority in my family growing up.
TW: Who would you invite to your dream Shabbat dinner? (modern and historical figures allowed!)
DS: Gordon Ramsay, James Spader, JFK, Aristotle, Erik the Red, Aziz Ansari, and my BFF Chad Rubin. Let the fun begin!
TW: Would you rather win an Olympic Medal (for what sport?), an Academy Award (in what category?), or Nobel Prize (in what)?
DS: I’d rather win a Grammy… for a trying, but woeful karaoke performance.
TW: Best movie ever made, hands down?
DS: It’s a tie between The Sandlot and The Dark Knight.
TW: How about a fun fact?
DS: I won at axe throwing last year in a group of 14 people.
TW: Finish the sentence: When I go to The Well...
DS: I hope to have a meaningful Jewish experience and connect with more people and make friends.