Lieutenant-Colonel Dana Woodworth was born in Pembroke, Ontario the second son of Chief Warrant Officer (Retired) Robie Woodworth and Faith Woodworth. In 1981, he transferred from the Primary Reserve (26 Field Regiment, RCA) to the Regular Force, graduating from the RMC with a BSc (Applied) in 1985.
As a Junior Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Woodworth served in the two principal domains of the Engineering Branch, construction and combat engineering. Specifically, he completed a tour at Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw where he was employed as the Production and Requirements Officer, followed by a transition to regimental life with a four-year posting to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, in Petawawa, Ontario. While in 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, he fulfilled the duties of 2I/C 25 Support and Parachute Squadron, Regimental Operations Officer, Unit Diving Officer, and commanded 28 Administration Squadron, and the Airborne Engineer Grouping. In 1993, Lieutenant-Colonel Woodworth was posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment in Chilliwack where he served as the Deputy Commanding Officer.
Upon promotion in 1996 to the rank of Major, he was posted to LFWA HQ, Edmonton to serve as Staff Officer Engineer Operations and Plans. This was quickly followed by a 13- month tour to Cambodia as the Senior Technical Advisor for a 750-man Khmer de-mining unit. Upon return to Canada, Lieutenant-Colonel Woodworth completed a one-year second language course followed by the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in Toronto, Ontario.
In 2000, Lieutenant-Colonel Woodworth returned to the engineer fold with a two-year tour as the Chief Instructor/Deputy Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, New Brunswick. Upon promotion in 2002, LieutenantColonel Woodworth returned to Edmonton, where he served as the G1 LFWA for three years. His tenure as G1 LFWA was punctuated with a return to operations, as he deployed to Afghanistan as the Task Force Engineer for Op ATHENA Rotation 2.
In 2005, Lieutenant-Colonel Woodworth assumed command of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment. During his tenure, the Regiment deployed in support of Op VALOUR to commemorate the death of Sergeant "Smokey" Smith, as well as mounting engineer elements for deployment to Op ARCHER Roto 0, Afghanistan for TF 1-06 and TF 3-06.
Lieutenant-Colonel Woodworth was appointed the Commanding Officer of the Provincial Reconstruction Team Task Force 1-08 and served a one-year tour in Afghanistan from February 2008 to February 2009.
Lieutenant-Colonel Woodworth is married to Shannon Woodworth, nee Green. They have two daughters, Sarah, Rachelle, and a big, black dog. With its enduring friendships and numerous memories, the Woodworth family considers Western Canada home.