Team
Rooted in the Hudson Valley, our team combines executive leadership experience in the United States Congress, Fortune 500 companies, and healthcare / nonprofit organizations with national recognition and impact.
Dan Ahouse
With nearly three decades of experience in senior roles across government and business, Dan has contributed to transformative projects that have helped shape the region’s economic development and overall quality of life. His career offers a unique perspective on the intersection of policy, planning, investment, and implementation.
As Chief of Staff to U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey, Dan worked in both Washington, D.C. and New York over a 15-year period. He played a key role in advancing federal initiatives such as the creation of The Solar Energy Consortium and the construction of the Walkway Over the Hudson – projects with lasting economic and infrastructure impacts.
Following his tenure in Congress, Dan managed the New York government affairs portfolio for Altice USA, the nation’s fourth-largest cable and telecommunications company. He represented the company on legislative and regulatory matters in Albany and maintained relationships with more than 200 municipalities across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley – deepening his expertise in navigating political landscapes and building consensus among diverse stakeholder groups.
In 2019, Dan founded Stockade Strategies to support smart, sustainable development and expand economic opportunity throughout the region. The firm works with a diverse range of clients – including commercial, residential, and hospitality developers; not-for-profit organizations; manufacturers; general contractors; telecommunications firms; energy companies; arts and cultural institutions; municipal governments; and emerging industries such as cannabis.
Stockade clients plug into a robust and interconnected network – built diligently over nearly three decades – of industry leaders, government officials, community advocates, and thought leaders, not only in the Hudson Valley, but in other key areas, from New York City to Albany to Washington DC.
Dan’s ongoing leadership is reflected in his service on several regional boards, including the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, the Ulster Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Walkway Over the Hudson. These roles extend his engagement with key stakeholders and support efforts to align policy, planning, and investment priorities.
A graduate of Hamilton College, Dan brings a strategic and analytical approach to each engagement. He resides in Kingston with his wife, Christina, and their three daughters.
Dan is a seasoned expert in government affairs, economic development, stakeholder engagement, community relations, and project management, with deep roots in New York’s Hudson Valley region, where he has lived for most of his life. His combination of local insight, national experience, and strategic relationships positions him as a trusted advisor to businesses and organizations navigating the complexities of establishing, growing, or improving their presence and impact in the Hudson Valley, across New York State, and beyond.
Josh Gran
Executive Vice President
Prior to joining Stockade Strategies, Josh spent a decade helping lead the growth of People USA (formerly People Inc.), an innovative New York-based mental health nonprofit and service provider. As Chief Strategy & Development Officer, he helped grow the organization’s annual revenue by 1,000+% in under ten years while significantly expanding its national reputation and impact -- ultimately helping position People USA as one of the most recognized and respected mental health service providers and thought leaders in the United States.
Josh also helped develop and scale People USA’s consulting division, partnering with organizations and government agencies across the United States and internationally to innovate, grow their organizations, replicate successful models, and improve broader systems of care.
Throughout his career, Josh has created, sustained, and replicated innovative models and approaches designed to reduce preventable hospital utilization, unnecessary criminal justice involvement, and overall healthcare costs while improving quality of care, customer experience, and whole-health outcomes. His work includes co-creating the Northeast’s first Crisis Stabilization Center; helping replicate crisis respites and short-term crisis residences across the United States and Europe; co-creating an innovative transitional care and health and wellness coaching model focused on reducing high hospital utilization; and co-developing New York’s first forensic-focused mobile mental health team in partnership with law enforcement.
Because of his impactful work, Josh is a nationally-recognized subject matter expert in mental health / crisis response services & systems-level improvements (SAMHSA).
Earlier in his tenure at People USA, Josh served as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing approximately $4.3 million in annual operating revenue, a diverse portfolio of departments, and more than 60 staff. He led a high-performing team of directors and held responsibility for major internal functions including recruitment, training and professional development, compliance, supervision, performance management, staff retention, workplace culture, budget implementation, purchasing and maintenance, utilization management, quality assurance and quality improvement, customer satisfaction, program outcomes, and general agency operations.
Josh lives in Kingston, New York, with his wife, Joleen, and their dog, Aaliyah. Outside of work, he enjoys music, coffee, basketball, football, and contributing to a better future for communities throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond.
Josh Gran is the Executive Vice President of Stockade Strategies. He is a recognized expert in organizational leadership, strategy and goal planning, project management, operational excellence, culture and staff development, stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, capital sourcing and fund development, and driving business development and long-term growth.
Josh also spearheads Stockade Strategies’ Hudson Valley Business Lab – a collaboration with Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC) – which helps businesses, nonprofits, and local governments improve operational efficiency, spark innovation, achieve stronger outcomes, and drive long-term growth.