About Me

Basketball Coach

Trusted Advisor

Speaker

Daniel knows

Daniel knows what it is like to devote his whole body, mind, and energy to a singular focus

He has done so with athletics, with the military, with high-level consulting, with starting a company, and creating an amazing family

Daniel is now focused on spreading his life leadership experience and knowledge by living his life's mission: forging confident leaders
He does this through serving teams and individuals, leadership programs, public speaking, writing his first book, and coaching high school basketball as a varsity head coach
Daniel now resides in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, Catherine, and their two children

Daniel's career highlights include:

Combat officer in the United States Marine Corps
Built a space hardware startup
Investment banking intern for upstream oil & gas
Consultant at McKinsey & Company
CFO for a multi-million dollar international company
Coached college basketball with high school varsity head coach experience
Founded first LLC company in high school
Travel the US on motorcycle
Approached wife of over 10 years when she was on a date with someone else

My Career Path

Where I've been and where I'm headed

Early years

Testing leadership

Daniel began this mission in middle school (in Corpus Christi, Texas), when a youth minister challenged him not to follow the crowd but to speak up for what was important to him. High school sports, particularly football, created the first major opportunity for Daniel to take ownership in his life and create what he wanted to create. he completely dedicated everything to his studies and his sport, mastering his mind, body, and voice. His leadership produced one state championship and one runner-up for his high school football team.

College years

Inspiration

Deciding to forgo college sports as an athlete due to football injuries suffered in high school, Daniel found himself as a men's basketball manager for the newly hired, and eventual hall-of-fame basketball coach, John Beilein, at the University of Michigan. Seeing his impact on the young men on the team ignited a flame in Daniel to coach the future leaders of tomorrow. He graduated from Michigan being the head manager of the men's basketball team.

Marine Corps

When Things Changed

Daniel focused on becoming the most impactful coach possible in college basketball. unsure where to improve upon his leadership experience, Daniel discovered the Marine Corps officer program. With his trust in God and his ambition for self-growth and impact, Daniel entered training for the Marine Corps, earning the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, being commissioned in the United States Marine Corps, serving as a combat officer stationed in the desert in California.

Today

The journey continues

His path continued, meeting his future wife, deploying to Iraq, leaving active duty to start a family, pursing his MBA at Rice University, trying investment banking as an intern, building a space hardware start-up, serving additional years in the Marine Corps Reserves dropping bombs as a controller, coaching college basketball, moving the family cross-country to be a graduate assistant basketball coach for Jowan Howard at the University of Michigan (job was rescinded after the move), becoming a consultant for McKinsey & Company, and ultimately leaving McKinsey to build his own company focused on using his talents and passion: helping people reach their full potential.

“Wow”

Since working with Daniel, I have landed my dream job, started dating my dream girl, and established a daily mindset of productivity. I would not have been able to do so without the many tools Daniel has given me.

Jack - prior college basketball player, current business professional

“See the impact”

Coach Pinedo never ceases to amaze me with how he develops leaders. You can see the impact and you can see the results.

Coach Jarred - college basketball head coach

“Better than I thought”

Daniel helped me navigate a high-stress crossroads and confidently emerge on the other side better than I imagined possible.

Heather - CFO

“Best Officer”

Captain Pinedo is by far the best officer I have ever served with. He made us all better leaders and a sharper unit. His is our Shepherd.

Sergeant Gonzales - U.S. Marine Corps

“Overcome difficulties”

He has helped me overcome numerous difficulties in my life, and he did an exceptional job of pushing me past my comfort zone, which is where all beneficial growth takes place. I would highly recommend his coaching to anyone.

Louis - prior college basketball player, current legal professional

“Opened my eyes”

Working with Daniel has opened my eyes to whole assets of my professional life that I had not realized were out there. I have already begun to feel positive effects in my interactions at work, including more confidence, more direction, and a greater sense of mission in my day-to-day.