ABOUT
Our team
Anything but standard
80% of our faculty return to the program office after three years
DARC agents undergo an intensive six month training program to build their skills in the classroom and hone their ability to provide strategic problem solving for the Department. We believe these resources should be in the field, not behind a podium.
Alignment creates synergy
We harness the real-world experiences of our training instructors to make sure our classes and tools actually meet the needs of the workforce, and when they don’t, we move quickly to update them. Our unique partnerships with senior leaders in the DoD and the Services enable us to play a roll in policy formation and allow us to act as an exclusive repository of knowledge for the Department.
An “Army” of Support
We focus the majority of DARC resources on making sure our training instructors have the support they need—in the classroom and beyond. Our cadre of over 200 instructional systems designers and online learning experts provide point-of-need support and make sure our tools and curriculum are updated in days, not months.
A Totally, Completely, Utterly Integrated Team
The only way to deliver the training the workforce needs, at the speed required to remain relevant and at the scale demanded by the enterprise, is through unprecedented coordination and integration. Because of our team-of-teams approach, we can bring the full resources of a major organization to the local point of need.
Modular Everything
We don’t believe there is a single, right way to learn. To help our students learn at their pace and in their preferred manner, we develop ALL of our assets modularly as part of an Acquisition Body of Knowledge. This helps us make sure our content is always fresh and up-to-date and allows you to choose the method of learning best suited to your needs and situation.
Leadership
Team Lead
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Stephen Mantener is the team lead (and general cheerleader) for the entire DARC enterprise. He is responsible for making sure the Defense Acquisition Workforce has what it needs to succeed on the job.
Talent Management
Mikla Stanish is responsible for ensuring DARC has the right personnel for the job and helping our customers succeed on their own learning journey.
Production Management
Dave G. Reene has the daunting task of making sure all of DARC's learning assets and courses deliver what the Defense Acquisition Workforce expects--excellence.
Our story
DARC came about in reaction to significant problems we (as acquirers like you) noted in current acquisition workforce training and support methods.
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Given the critical importance of the acquisition workforce in arming and supporting the warfighter, we became very frustrated with the antiquated knowledge and support acquirers currently offered by traditional sources. We had to take action.
We're intentionally structured to provide acquisition professionals what they genuinely need to do their job--not just what the bureaucracy think they may need. DARC isn't another government entity. We connect those who need assistance with the skills and resources by actively listening to their needs.
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DARC agents come fresh from the ranks and leadership of the Defense Acquisition Workforce. Most of our agents are only here for a few years, and that's intentional. We believe in providing you with the most-cutting-edge knowledge, and in our world that requires actual field work.
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Our team also believe that everyone learns differently and that every workplace challenge is unique. To overcome this, we work hard to provide the solution you need, when you need it and how you need it.
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We know you don't have time for bureaucracy, that's why we've eliminated it from our structure and empower all of our agents to take care of your needs.