January 29, 2026
Get to know Senior Freight Transportation Planner Dan Farina.
What did you want to be growing up?
Up until high school, I wanted to be an architect. During high school, I became more interested in law, history, and urban planning. When I was young, I also acted, and a small part of me wonders what my life would have been had I pursued it. Who knows what the future may bring!
What was your first job?
My first job ever was working for Cinemark movie theater at the concession stand. I love movies, and it was the perfect first job—except for smelling like popcorn and butter all the time. The most popular movies when I was working were Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Herbie Fully Loaded. Really dating myself here.
What did you study in college?
In college at Rutgers Camden, I discovered urban studies and began my career trajectory toward urban planning. I also studied art history and spent a summer semester traveling through Europe studying Renaissance Art and Architecture.
How did you end up at DVRPC?
I began interacting with DVRPC through the Regional Student Forum when I was in college and kept up with the organization through the following years. I’ve always been most interested in regional planning and would track job opportunities at the agency while working as a county planner for Montgomery County. When a senior planner position in freight planning came up, I decided to go for it.
If you could immediately implement any change to the region, what would you do?
Modernize public transportation—regional fare integration across all agencies and modes of transportation, frequent through-running RER-style regional rail (at least 15-minute headways most of the day), and a rational, modernized Suburban/City Hall/15th St. mega-station.
What actor would play you in the movie version of your life?
I always thought Chris Farley would have been perfect to play me in a movie. Sadly, he is no longer with us. Currently, if I’m being modest, the obvious answer is Ryan Gosling 😆
What is your favorite leisure activity?
Active me loves swimming and anything having to do with water, while lazy me loves lounging and growing my latest region in SimCity 4.
What is the last book you read?
The last book I read was Neuromancer by William Gibson. A classic of cyberpunk sci-fi, it seems less like fiction today than it probably did in the eighties when it was written.
What are the top 3 places you want to travel to?
I would like to go back to Japan and travel more of the country, especially Sapporo on Hokkaido Island in the north. I would like to visit Buenos Aires, Argentina, to see where my father was born and raised. Lastly, I would like to visit Calabria and Sicily in Italy.
Are you a cat or dog person?
Ask me eight years ago and I would have said neither. I did not have animals growing up and am a bit of a clean freak at home. However, once I got a cat, I became an instant cat person. They make you work for the affection, and I appreciate that.