Dan Protess

Dan Protess brings more than 25 years of experience as an executive producer, director, and writer, creating content for media outlets including
PBS, WTTW, NewsHour, Nightline, WPWR, and CSPAN. His recent work includes the Emmy-winning weekly history series CHICAGO STORIES, which he oversaw as executive producer through two seasons; the social issue documentary series FIRSTHAND, which he created in 2020 to spotlight Chicago’s gun violence epidemic, and which he continues to oversee as executive producer; and the national primetime series 10 THAT CHANGED AMERICA, which was seen by millions of Americans through its three-season run on PBS. Dan founded Protess Communications in 2022, which produces original documentaries, in addition to a wide range of communications for corporate, nonprofit, and financial services clients. The story of FROM RAILS TO TRAILS is familiar territory: he has devoted much of his career to exploring the history of America’s built environment. His credits include producer and writer of the PBS program 10 PARKS THAT CHANGED AMERICA, and producer and writer of the program BIKING THE BOULEVARDS.