Our 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
President, Stockade Strategies
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 Strategic Economic Consortium (T-SEC), 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
Principal, Giant Steps (est 2023)
Josh spent a decade as a leader in the growth of People USA (formerly People Inc.), an innovative mental health nonprofit organization and service provider in NY.
In his role as Chief Strategy & Development Officer, Josh significantly grew People USA's annual revenue, and the company’s recognition / impact across the nation. Because of his successes, Josh also got to work with clients across the United States, helping them to also innovate and grow their organizations, or improve their broader systems of care.
Josh has created, sustained, and replicated unique models & approaches that significantly reduce preventable hospital utilization, reduce unnecessary criminal justice involvement, and reduce overall healthcare costs – producing $ millions in annual healthcare savings / substantial % reductions in total system costs – while also setting new industry standards for quality care / customer service, health outcomes, and improved quality of life.
Because of his impactful work, Josh is a nationally-recognized subject matter expert in mental health / crisis response services & systems-level improvements (SAMHSA).
Professional highlights include:
Grew People USA’s annual operating revenue by over 1,025% in under 10 years.
Achieved an 80+% success rate in winning grants (national industry average: 10-30%).
Part of the core team that designed, developed, and opened the Dutchess County Stabilization Center – the Northeast’s first Crisis Stabilization Center (CSC) – in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Working with the CEO, helped healthcare providers and government agencies across the United States and Europe to develop and open 15+ peer-run crisis respites / short-term crisis residences.
Created and implemented the Transitional Care Wellness Team model - an innovative hybrid of transitional care mgmt. and whole health / wellness coaching.
Developed the Forensic Mobile Crisis & Response Team – New York’s first mobile mental health team with a criminal justice focus – in Westchester County, NY.
Increased People USA’s supportive housing / affordable housing units by over 251%, including a 96 unit mixed-use development project.
Developed and refined People USA’s new and existing intellectual property (IP) – e.g. curricula, program design, evaluation tools, and trainings – making replication of unique models & approaches across the world easier, and increasing management consulting sales.
Multiple states (in addition to NY) have modeled regulations, guidelines, licensure, and billing rates – including new Medicaid programs – on Josh’s work.
Created all People USA corporate copy.
Working with the CEO, elevated People USA from a grassroots peer advocacy & support organization to become one of the most recognized and respected mental health / behavioral health service providers & thought leaders in the United States.