Dan Yorke: A Hardwood Life
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
DANVILLE — When Dan Yorke decided to expand his carpeting business to include hardwood flooring, he saw it as a lucrative opportunity to benefit from a growing trend. What he didn’t realize, however, is just how challenging the endeavor would prove to be. “I found out that working with hardwood is a lot more complicated than cleaning and installing carpet, which is what I originally planned to focus on when I opened my business,” he recounts. “It proved to be a pretty sharp learning curve, and it took us a few years to get a handle on it.”
Despite the rough initiation, Dan’s business gradually grew to excel at hardwood installation—so much so that he eventually sold the company’s carpeting division. Today, Dan says he’s proud that Danville Hardwood Company Incorporated continues to be one of the East Bay’s most trusted hardwood flooring contractors. “We really shine next to our competitors because many of them simply don’t know what they’re doing. With high-end homes in particular, people want to feel comfortable with a company’s level of knowledge and experience, which is why many local homeowners choose us.”
A longtime resident of Danville, Dan says he appreciates the close-knit character of his local community. “My wife, Laura, and I have many roots in Danville. We raised our three sons here, and I’ve personally served as president of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce. After many years in business, our company has a lot of appreciation for the support our community continues to give us.”
Outside of work, Dan engages in a variety of hobbies, including salmon fishing and crabbing, gardening, and taking on home improvement projects. When he’s not in a boat or at home, he can often be found enjoying a meal at his favorite local restaurant, Pete’s Brass Rail. In addition to his everyday hobbies and pastimes, Dan likes taking trips to visit his three grown sons, Teddy, Ben and Sam.
When asked the first thing he’d do if he could retire tomorrow, Dan says he’d spend more time both at home and abroad. “I work an awful lot, so my wife and I don’t get out as much as we’d like. Even when I do travel, it’s usually for business. So, if I retired tomorrow, I’d spend more time pursuing some of the activities I enjoy, as well as see some more of the world.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What’s your favorite season and why?
A: Summer, because I love the heat.
Q: What’s your favorite kind of tree?
A: Hickory. It’s nice to look at, and the wood is very durable and versatile.
Q: What animal best characterizes you?
A: A Golden Retriever, because I’m loyal, loving and friendly.
Q: Would you rather live in the city or the country?
A: The country.
Q: What do you read most: fiction or non-fiction books?
A: Non-fiction books.
