Daniel K. Elder

Led a program of coordinated research and analysis with the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) and served as teh co-lead of the U.S. rmy Enlisted Leader Researcg Group (ELRG). Our team participated in a 3-year qualitative and quantitative research, development, analysis, and professional development project for a Department of Defense (DoD) military service, We conducted strategic direction assessment and review. As the lead, our team was required to… Show more

Led a program of coordinated research and analysis with the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) and served as teh co-lead of the U.S. rmy Enlisted Leader Researcg Group (ELRG). Our team participated in a 3-year qualitative and quantitative research, development, analysis, and professional development project for a Department of Defense (DoD) military service, We conducted strategic direction assessment and review. As the lead, our team was required to review strategies, academic literature and employ organizational development techniques using behavioral science theories. Conducted environmental scans to connect research to emerging topics and issues. We used internal analysis techniques to frame topics and issues, employed an issue generation process system and led in progress reviews to validate and prioritize issues. Our team formed working groups with DoD champions, stakeholders, and subject matter experts and assisted with coordination for data collections using surveys. To validate issues we led workshops, and interviews to create datasets for analysis to create developmental models. Marketed the research group actions to the participants through seminars on MS Teams and by developing newsletter updates. We designed, assessed, and tracked pathways for lifecycle approach to competency development and assessment, which included research administration, managing timelines, and validated and tested exemplar research products, tools, and prototypes in operational environments. Throughout oure research we created interim reports, led workshops, conducted in-progress reviews, and participated in meetings with senior government personnel to analyze outcomes and take next-stage implementation actions. Our final requirements were to document the results of all our research activities, including creating a final report and subsequent debriefings to share implementation results with interested parties. Show less

Forbes Coaches Council is a vetted professional organization for respected business, career, and professional coaches. Members are respected leaders who are selected for the council based on the depth of their experience and success as business, career, and executive coaches. I served the council and particpated in a number if activities, including writing atrticles for Forbes digital publications.

Executive coach for a federal client’s Enterprise Leader Development Program in order to stretch participants' experiences and comfort zones to help them develop knowledge, skills and behaviors expected of future Enterprise leaders. Conducted four 1-hour actions-based coaching sessions for 40 government supervisors and managers between the grades GS-14 to GS-11, and WG-5 to WG-6.

Facilitated and led executive training seminars for a federal client based on statement of work and expected outcomes; conducted fifteen 2-day training seminars of 35 government executives and supervisors as part of a mandated leader development program. Lead seminars crafted around the adult learning model to apply and understand topics regarding to interpersonal style, authentic leadership theory, as well as deliver methods to create high performing teams. Conducted goals-oriented, action… Show more

Facilitated and led executive training seminars for a federal client based on statement of work and expected outcomes; conducted fifteen 2-day training seminars of 35 government executives and supervisors as part of a mandated leader development program. Lead seminars crafted around the adult learning model to apply and understand topics regarding to interpersonal style, authentic leadership theory, as well as deliver methods to create high performing teams. Conducted goals-oriented, action planning events, and led practical exercises in values-based leadership development. Show less

Third-party sub-contractor to client Kaplan University; developed hybrid delivery strategies for on-site learning facilities for military organizations at 6 sites across the United States. Developed project plans, managed project controls, made recommendations and decisions, and communicated progress to key stakeholders. Managed projects closely with project sponsor and provided status updates; conducted routine briefings to manage risk.

Led a 5 person consulting team to compete for and win a contract with the State of Texas for Customer Service Evaluation Services for the Texas Military Department. Provided a project plan to the client for planning, coordination and implementation guidance within the timelines allotted by the statement of work. Monitored and observed staff operations to record operational processes and capture best practices. Provided analysis and recommendations based on industry metrics, which included… Show more

Led a 5 person consulting team to compete for and win a contract with the State of Texas for Customer Service Evaluation Services for the Texas Military Department. Provided a project plan to the client for planning, coordination and implementation guidance within the timelines allotted by the statement of work. Monitored and observed staff operations to record operational processes and capture best practices. Provided analysis and recommendations based on industry metrics, which included briefings, in-stride updates and a final report. Show less

The US Army Research Institute (ARI) for Behavioral and Social Sciences created a group to advise them on the operational implications of Army assessment testing, primarily as part of the a needs analysis aspect of the Army Enlisted Personnel Competency Assessment Program.

The NCO Website project (NCO Website, vBnHQ, SquadLeader.com, FirstSergeant.com, eArmyHQ.com, and NCOTeam.org) were a labor of love of Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Dan Elder that combined his two passions...the Army, and computers. Initially began in 1991 as "The Old Soldiers Home BBS" a Bulletin Board Service (BBS) in the days before the World Wide Web existed, it was a multi-node dial forum for users. It grew to the National data Service BBS, and officially went off-line in Dec 1997. In… Show more

The NCO Website project (NCO Website, vBnHQ, SquadLeader.com, FirstSergeant.com, eArmyHQ.com, and NCOTeam.org) were a labor of love of Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Dan Elder that combined his two passions...the Army, and computers. Initially began in 1991 as "The Old Soldiers Home BBS" a Bulletin Board Service (BBS) in the days before the World Wide Web existed, it was a multi-node dial forum for users. It grew to the National data Service BBS, and officially went off-line in Dec 1997. In May 1997 Elder transitioned from BBS to World Wide Web and he established a full-time web presence as the NCO Website. It grew and transformed as a center-piece for US Army NCOs to share and learn, and with the help of a cadre of volunteers across the Army it eventually morphed into multiple sites, including Squad-leader.com, Virtual Battalion HQs, and FirstSergeant.com. In 2003 anchor site Squad-leader.com was designated a US Army "Best Practice," and after more than 8 successful years, the core NCO Website NCOTeam.org was donated to the US Army in 2005 to become the highly acclaimed NCO.mil community of practice. Show less

Selected by the Office of the Sergeant Major of the Army and SMA Jack Tilley to lead the effort for the US Army Center of Military History to edit, update and correct the official story of the Office of the Sergeant Major of the Army, as well as conduct oral interviews on four former SMAs, including the first, William O. Wooldridge. Wooldridge had not gone on record for any official interviews since leaving the Army, however he allowed me to spend two days at his home with he and his wife… Show more

Selected by the Office of the Sergeant Major of the Army and SMA Jack Tilley to lead the effort for the US Army Center of Military History to edit, update and correct the official story of the Office of the Sergeant Major of the Army, as well as conduct oral interviews on four former SMAs, including the first, William O. Wooldridge. Wooldridge had not gone on record for any official interviews since leaving the Army, however he allowed me to spend two days at his home with he and his wife Patty. Additionally, I completed the partial interview of SMA Kidd, and interviewed and wrote chapters on SMA Robert Hall and SMA Jack Tilley. Though I was unable to to sit down with SMA McKinney and record an oral interview, he offered me a phone interview that went on for almost an hour. At the time all of the former sergeants major of the Amy were still living, and I personally contacted each of them to ensure their chapters, as written, were accurate. Each former SMA had requests for changes and updates for their individual chapters, which were incorporated in the second edition. Show less

RAND's Arroyo Center facilitated a project on behalf of the Sergeant Major of the Army, coordinated by the TRADOC CSM, to research ways to strengthen the development of noncommissioned officers. The overall objectives of the research project were to examine the system for developing noncommissioned leaders and assess its ability to meet the demands of the future, taking into account potential changes in job demands, requirements for NCOs, personnel policies, and resource limitations.