# Daniel Florness

> Daniel L. Florness is Fastenal’s former chief executive and strategic advisor, having joined the Winona-based industrial distributor as CFO in 1996 and served as CEO from January 2016 to July 2026. His career combines accounting, operating responsibilities, local decision-making and the expansion of customer-dedicated Onsite operations. He also serves on the boards of H.B. Fuller and Waste Connections.

- **Role:** Strategic Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer at Fastenal
- **Organizations:** Fastenal, H.B. Fuller, Waste Connections, KPMG
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in accounting, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
- **Known for:** Served as Fastenal CFO for nearly twenty years before becoming CEO., Led Fastenal during its expansion of customer-dedicated Onsite operations and inventory-management technology., Fastenal recorded $8.2005 billion in 2025 net sales and $1.2584 billion in net income.

## Career timeline

- **1986** — Graduated with an accounting degree and began a decade at KPMG.
- **1996-06** — Joined Fastenal as chief financial officer.
- **1997** — Took on Fastenal’s treasurer duties.
- **2002-12** — Became executive vice president and CFO.
- **2016-01** — Became president, CEO and a director of Fastenal.
- **2018** — Joined H.B. Fuller’s board.
- **2024-08** — Continued as CEO while Jeff Watts became president.
- **2025-12** — Fastenal announced his decision to hand over the CEO role in July 2026.
- **2026-04-01** — Joined Waste Connections’ board.
- **2026-07-16** — Stepped out of Fastenal’s CEO and director roles; succession plan provided for strategic advisory work until early 2028.

## Achievements

- Served as Fastenal CFO for nearly twenty years before becoming CEO.
- Led Fastenal during its expansion of customer-dedicated Onsite operations and inventory-management technology.
- Fastenal recorded $8.2005 billion in 2025 net sales and $1.2584 billion in net income.
- Helped prepare a staged CEO succession with Jeff Watts becoming president in 2024 and CEO in July 2026.
- Appointed to public-company boards at H.B. Fuller and Waste Connections.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Jeff Watts succeeded Florness as Fastenal CEO on July 16; Florness moved into the strategic advisory phase of the succession plan.
- **2026-07** — Appeared on Real Leadership in an episode released July 7, discussing his career, employee development and succession.
- **2026-04** — Waste Connections board appointment became effective April 1.

## Links

- Website: https://www.fastenal.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-florness-90138616/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/daniel-florness
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21