The motto like father, like son can apply to Danny and Daniel in both work and leisure.
Building Vent Viper Together
Danny is the owner of the Wyckoff-based Vent Viper, an air duct and dryer vent cleaning specialist company. His son, Daniel, joined the business in 2024.
“We have a good relationship and he has an unbelievable work ethic,” said Danny. “He puts up with me and I can be tough to deal with because I am very demanding.”
A Wyckoff resident for 23 years, Danny started the business in 2012 on the suggestion of his friend, Chris Bache, who owned a similar business.
He says he came up with the business name in about five minutes.
“I had some marketing and advertising experience because I once owned a business in the printing industry,” said Danny. “I thought it was a smooth and easy name to remember.”
Daniel was a teenager when he found Vent Viper their first client.
“The first client was a condominium association,” recalls Danny.
Today, Vent Viper responds to client calls for air duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, gutter cleaning, pressure washing, and pest control in Bergen and Passaic counties.
Danny’s meticulous attention to detail and mastering of multiple hands-on skills have always been the cornerstone of his career.
A Stagehand's Storied Career
He worked for 16 years as a stagehand at many of the area's iconic buildings and on several television programs, including Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, "The Today Show" and "Good Morning America".
Danny explains that a stagehand is a technician who has to perform a multitude of tasks including carpentry, electrical systems, heavy rigging, audio systems, lighting, and props.
He has attended hundreds of concerts during his career and names the Tina Turner concert at Madison Square Garden as the most memorable.
“Tina lit up the whole place with her energy,” said Danny. “She was in her sixties and had younger back-up dancers but all eyes were on her. She had a very commanding stage presence.”
Danny said he enjoyed working at NBC.
“I am a people person. When I had everything set up for The Today Show I had the opportunity to talk to people on the set as well as those outside the window,” said Danny.
He can vividly recall his most grueling work day, or should we say days.
“It was a 36 hour shift,” said Danny. “I was at Lincoln Center all day, then went to Central Park for a concert and had an 8:00 a.m. gig at Madison Square Garden the next day.”
But due to the ever changing conditions of the industry, Danny had to shift his focus.
“Unfortunately, when those productions moved to Connecticut I decided to learn about vent cleaning and opened Vent Viper,” said Danny.
Daniel's Athletic Accomplishments
His son, Daniel, was raised in Glen Rock and is a graduate of Glen Rock High School, where he excelled in both track and field and bowling.
In 2014, he broke all personal records during the State Semi Finals.
He placed first for the 110m high hurdles and 400m intermediate hurdles, earning him the title of best dual hurdler in Northern New Jersey. He also placed second for the boys 4×4 relay team.
“It was a great experience competing at that level and I learned a lot about myself”, said Daniel.
When it comes to bowling, Daniel’s junior year scores were impressive. He had a 180 average, a 670 high series, and 279 score for highest game.
Daniel and members of the 2013-2014 bowling team were inducted in October into the Glen Rock High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
After high school, Daniel graduated from Montclair State University in 2019 with a degree in business. During COVID, he changed roles and started working in the HVAC industry before joining his father’s business.
“Having the privilege to work alongside your dad and build a business from the ground up is a feeling like no other.” says Daniel.
Shared Passions at Home
Like father, like son, Danny was also raised in Glen Rock along with his three sisters in an Italian-Irish household.
“I liked being in the kitchen with my mother and grandmother and learned to cook,” said Danny.
Daniel inherited his dad’s interest in food and shares cooking responsibilities at their home.
“Daniel uses more spices and different ingredients than I use,” said Danny. “I am a pretty simple and traditional cook.”
Some of their ingredients come from their backyard garden.
“We have tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuces, arugula , carrots, and lots of herbs,” said Danny.
Accompanying Danny and Daniel, are their two German Shepherds, 10-year-old Schultz and 7-year-old Tessie, who help keep an eye on the property.
“We live in a great neighborhood with lots of dogs and the dogs are so friendly with one another,” said Danny.
Fishing, Family, and the Future
Like father, like son, Danny and Daniel are avid fishermen.
Their favorite spot for freshwater fishing is 1000 Islands, which straddles the New York and Canadian border. The St. Lawrence River holds some of the largest smallmouth bass in the entire world.
“My personal best is six pound ten ounces”, explains Danny. “I participate in all different levels of bass fishing competitions, but the ones I enjoy the most are the buddy tournaments I fish with my son. We recently competed in a bass tournament on Lake Hopatcong and took first place.”
Danny caught his largest fish not in the waters to the north but in New Jersey.
“I caught an eight pound largemouth bass in Franklin Lakes. said Dan.
Whether they are working, fishing, or cooking it’s truly about being together.
“Working hand in hand, we’ve learned that it isn’t just about business at the end of the day,” said Danny. “It’s about creating a community and building rapport with people. Our business and life is a true definition of “work hard, play hard”. Family means everything, and that means building something that will be here for years to come.”
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