Since 2013 the service-disabled veteran-owned small business Topsarge Business Solutions (TBS) has delivered leader training and development, instructors and training support services, assessments and analysis to state and federal clients. We assist organizations in creating strategies to transform their organization’s work practices and becoming more productive. We have Process Improvement specialists trained and certified in project management, knowledge management, lean and six sigma, as well as other business process improvement techniques. Managing an executive coaching practice servicing federal clients; we use International Coaching Federation (ICF) level II certified Professional Certified (PCC) and Associate Certified (ACC) coaches. Our firm has multiple coaching engagement with federal clients. Our specialties include instructor-led training, training support services, research and development in the social sciences, analysis, professional coaching and mentorship, policy and doctrine development, and transformation.

Serve as Board Chairman of an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit Research & Policy Institute organized exclusively for the purpose as an independent think tank to conduct rigorous research, expert analysis, and offer policy recommendations for enlisted leader development.

Senior Fellow for a National Association that represents soldiers and veterans as part of a small, select group of influential leaders who serve on the staff of the corporate headquarters in the Senior Fellow Program, and serves at the pleasure of the national-level Association President.

Accountable for identifying and capturing contracts and customer-partners within the Federal, State, Regional and not-for-profit sector for the OEM of the Army SAMS-E. Provided support in negotiations, risk assessment and other business development projects in association with business development initiatives. Managed the full life cycle of proposal development process, including: opportunity identification, tracking, teaming agreements, opportunity assessments, pricing, proposal preparation and review process. A specialist in ERP technology solutions Logistics Information Systems (STAMIS/PDSS) that create and integrate products that follow established business processes.Responsible for generating $3-million of revenue annually by closing on new business deals and by developing and negotiating contracts. Prepared and presented business case analysis to senior executives with the requirement to identify and negotiate strategic partnerships to support product acceptance and new product development initiatives.

Owner and Chief Consultant of Topsarge Business Solutions, a Knowledge Management (KM) Consulting company that offered a wide variety of inter-related management, collaboration, web and high technology and social services to government and businesses. A Texas-based certified Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business, our reputation is our strength.Topsarge Business Solutions is an independent consulting firm offering management and training services in KM and collaborative techniques, business and knowledge management assessments, and champions the use of digital and social media tools for customer relations management. A full-time Collaboration advocate and trainer to federal, state and local government and agencies and private sector, Dan Elder and Topsarge Business Solutions volunteered services to the small business community and supported a variety of civic organizations.

Advisor and consultant to a Department of Defense customer where I provided oversight and management for major program activities at Fort Hood, Texas. A subject matter expert on how best to create, organize, apply and transfer knowledge across an organization using a variety of collaborative techniques, tools, and best practices.Day-to-day duties included working in conjunction with team members and stakeholders to manage changes to technical requirements, business requirements and schedule of the project. Provided input on possible changes needed based on project status. I managed client, partners, and project team expectations while providing on-site program management in support of the Department of Defense using my knowledge and expertise. I prepared case studies, provided statuses and worked with senior management in identifying best practices for developing efficient processes using current and emerging techniques.Coordinated the establishment of the first Knowledge Management Section at a U.S. Army Corps and was responsible for the development of internal procedures required to activate and employ that new capability. Provided solutions to the leaders of the III Corps in employing process oriented solutions, including how to best use technology to rapidly command and control the organization. Experienced in developing and using modern systems, I am a seasoned facilitator who possesses skills in how to best create new knowledge in organizations using face-to-face and remote techniques.

Senior Enlisted Advisor of only one of three Army Commands (ACOMs) led by a 4-star commander. Selected to serve in this highly selective assignment to a Command that was responsible for the management of a work force of 70,000 dedicated military and civilian employees, many with highly developed specialties in weapons development, manufacturing and logistics, and impacts or has a presence in all 50 states and 150 countries. The Army Materiel Command is the US Army's chief Logistics command that is responsible for all the sustainment and support of all commodity categories, minus medical. The U.S. Army Materiel Command is the Army’s premier provider of materiel readiness – technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment – to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations.

An Army multi-functional logistician and sustainer where my units conducted maintenance and resupply duties at operational and strategic levels from motor pools to the assembly line. Oversaw assigned personnel for projects and assigned work and provided direction with regard to timeliness and completion of project objectives. Addressed performance issues within prescribed guidelines. Provides performance input upon completion of project. Assigned to a number of maintenance management positions responsible for the oversight of multiple classes of supply using the DoD's logistics management systems. Senior enlisted advisor of a Support Command which served as the primary Logistics Command for the Iraq theater of operations for the United States effort for a 12-month period.

Served as the senior enlisted advisor (3rd Brigade, 75th Division) to the Brigade Commander of a multi-compo unit which provided training, readiness and oversight to all RC (USAR & ARNG) Logistics and Sustainment units in the Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa Region, as well as all aviation units west of the Mississippi. Brigade consisted of four USAR Training Battalions, three Lanes Training and one Logistics, as well as two active duty Aviation Bns. We conducted Lanes training, TAMM evaluations, as well as assisting units develop short and long range training as part of TSXXI. We conducted multiple RC unit mobilizations and certifications in the wake of 9/11 and the Brigade was mobilized along with the 75th Division in support of Operation Noble Eagle.

Served as the senior enlisted advisor to the Battalion Commander of a multi-functional Corps Maintenance Bn that had a heavy maintenance company, a transportation company, two engineer companies and a chemical company. Additionally, we had an EOD company ADCON as well. We provided all echelon above brigade logistics support to the 3-brigade set at Ft Riley, performing tradionally duties reserved for a MSB and command and controlled by a Division Support Command. Deployed to the National Training Center to provide DS support to the infantry and tank brigades of the 1st ID as well as the 1st AD, and the 937th EN GRP. Deployed an engineer Company to Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo.

Served as the senior enlisted leader and installation sergeant for the Depot Commander. Provided advice and recommendations in regards to the over 4,000 military and civilian employees and contractors who lived and worked on the Depot. Letterkenny Army Depot is one of the enduring industrial centers providing Depot-level maintenance and overhaul for a number of military systems, including the M109A6 SP Artillery (Palidan), the FAAS-V, and tactical and select missles systems for the US Army and other services.

Served as a curriculum developer in the Directorate of Training and Evaluation (DOTE) of the US Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) where I was responsible for developing curriculum for Phase I of both the the Basic (BNCOC) and Advanced (ANCOC) Noncommissioned officer courses. Was one of two developers to create, deploy and teach the first-ever ANCOC distance learning courses to remote students. Assisted DOTE staff in maintaining and updating course material and programs of instruction. Stayed on for 9-months to attend the Sergeants Major Course, Class 48. Top 10% grad, winner of both the Military History Awards and the Writing Award. Served on the NCO Museum Committee and completed an Associates degree.

Service in the U.S. Army in a variety of enlisted leadership positions managing and supervising small teams and large organizations. Often selected ahead of my peers to perform tough management and supervisory duties, I completed my career with my selection to a highly selective assignment at the headquarters of an major Army Command that was responsible for the management of over 65,000 soldiers and civilians in over 40 different US and overseas locations. A 2010 inductee to the AMC and U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Hall of Fame.An Army multi-functional logistician where I conducted maintenance and resupply duties at operational and strategic levels from motor pools to the assembly line. Oversaw assigned personnel for projects and assigned work and provided direction with regard to timeliness and completion of project objectives. Addressed performance issues within prescribed guidelines. Provides performance input upon completion of project. Assigned to a number of maintenance management positions responsible for the oversight of multiple classes of supply using the DoD's logistics management systems. Senior enlisted advisor of a Support Command which served as the primary Logistics Command for the Iraq theater of operations for the United States effort for a 12-month period. Subsequent assignment was as the Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, the pinnacle of the US Army's logistics chain.Experienced as a trainer, a training developer and a drill sergeant, I was ultimately posted to serve on the faculty of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, the premier educational institution for enlisted soldiers. Routinely demonstrated my strong problem-solving and decision making skills and demonstrated the ability to develop and implement effective action plans. An experienced speaker, published author, and a communicator with excellent presentation skills who served as a spokesman and advocate for various organizations.