Dan Gavinski is general manager of the Original Wisconsin Ducks, Inc., a position he has held since 1989. Through his guidance, the company has increased its fleet of vehicles to more than 90, making it the largest amphibious tour duck operation in the country. Through Gavinski's leadership, the Original Wisconsin Ducks has also expanded and re-routed trails to ensure Ducks ride through the most pristine and scenic 8½ miles in Wisconsin Dells.

Gavinski has made providing a quality experience for Wisconsin Dells tourists a career-long endeavor solely with the Original Wisconsin Ducks. He worked his way up through the ranks, starting as a parking lot attendant at the age of 14. When he turned 18, Gavinski fulfilled a long-time goal of becoming a Duck tour operator. Upon obtaining a bachelor's degree in business education from the University of Wisconsin in 1981, Gavinski was named assistant manager of the Original Wisconsin Ducks, where he set the stage for taking on the lead role of general manager eight years later.

As general manager, Gavinski is responsible for training and establishing safety, maintenance and operating procedure for his staff of 110. Each season, Gavinski is actively involved in the testing and review of all 60 Original Wisconsin Duck drivers. In addition, Gavinski is often behind the wheel of a Duck himself taking visitors on a scenic one-hour tour of Wisconsin Dells.

Gavinski is considered by many to be a guiding force in the amphibious tour duck industry, in which there are about a dozen tour operations nationwide. He has worked closely with the U.S. Coast Guard on issues regarding operating and safety standards for ducks. Gavinski also travels the world in search of ducks to purchase to continue building the Original Wisconsin Ducks fleet. In 2001, Gavinski was named general manager of the Dells Boat Tours overseeing a fleet that provides a variety of tours on the Upper Dells and Lower Dells.

Gavinski also has been involved in several professional and civic groups including:

• Wisconsin Dells City Council - Member (1995 - present)
• Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau - Festivals Board (2000 - present)
• Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau - Advertising Committee (1990 - present)
• Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau - Board of Directors (1989 - 1997)
• Wisconsin Dells Ambulance Service (1975 - 1994)