David M. besterci

Professional Training And Organizational Development Specialist

Enthusiastic and goal oriented training leader who continues to serve adult learners through well designed and high quality delivery of workforce learning interventions including training, coaching, and train-the-trainer. Excellent communication skills and expert knowledge in maximizing individual and team learning. Able to communicate and collaborate effectively with co-workers at all levels. Known as a self-directed professional with excellent training development, coaching, and presentation skills. Actively seeks ways to creatively capture opportunities to accelerate learner’s knowledge and improve application of learning in workplaces. Recognized for professionalism, exceptional interpersonal skills, positive attitude, self-motivation, commitment to excellence, and ability to work under pressure. Expertise in the organizational alignment of training and workforce learning with business objectives and mission. Trusted advisor and partner to senior leadership and peers.

Areas of Expertise

  • Leadership Development

  • Assessment & Remediation

  • Instructional Systems Design

  • Train-the-Trainer

  • Training Delivery

  • Presentation Skills

  • Training Effectiveness

  • Organizational Development

  • Training Program Management

  • Customer Relationship Management

  • Differentiated Instruction

  • Complex Planning

  • Quality Assurance

  • Adult Learning Principles

Key Skills Assessment

  • Comprehensive background in workforce training and development – 30+ years’ experience in adult education, high risk subject matter expertise, leadership, and instruction. This encompasses extensive operational support, exercise planning, curriculum development, standardization & evaluation, leadership coaching, academic and field training.

  • Expert Developer and Trainer – In-depth experience interpreting and implementing legislative and executive branch mandates that govern training programs. Ability to use a systems approach in providing solutions that boost productivity and efficiency across the organization. Quickly identify problem areas and implement effective training to meet goals. Advise and coach leaders on adoption and ongoing development.

  • Exceptional organizational skills – Ability to prioritize tasks to accomplish maximum results, timely completion of projects, and ability to address organizational problems with innovative solutions.

  • Commitment & Dedication – Solid professional standards; excellent track record of dependability. Maintain focus on achieving results while implementing solutions to meet diversity of needs.

  • Worked throughout the world with all levels of an organization, cross-functionally and cross-culturally with multiple partners to meet business and leadership needs in diverse and complex situations.

Professional Experience

TATE Inc. | Joint Special Operations Command | Ft. Bragg, NC | September 2015–Present

Branch Chief: Program Development, Quality Assurance, & Training

  • Increased understanding of program challenges by using HR metrics and other data, helped Senior Leadership view issues from multiple perspectives, leading to a well-informed decision making process.

  • Partnered with Senior Leadership to begin development of master personnel plan, focusing on workforce and leadership development.

  • Provided customized education and training to personnel from sensitive compartmented programs.

  • Assessed current training program and developed recommendations for improvement, instilled rigor into the training process by focusing on intentional and focused training objectives.

  • Created and implemented robust training suite that saw a complete overhaul of the organization’s training program, tools included newly developed training & education plan, innovative operating instruction for training assessment and achieving learning outcomes, meaningful training records, and a vastly improved quality assurance program with streamlined evaluation forms.

 

USmax Corp. | U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) | Springfield, VA | Nov 2014-Aug 2015

Personnel Recovery Program Coordinator

  • Responsible for development of Agency policy, procedures, and curriculum for all aspects of USAID’s Personnel Recovery Program that includes the strategic objectives of prevention, preparation, and response to isolating events.

  • Responsible for interpreting and implementing legislative and executive branch mandates that govern training programs.

  • Worked extensively within the U.S. Government interagency to ensure that the Personnel Recovery Program complements and supports the efforts of other organizations to help achieve a whole of government approach to Personnel Recovery.

  • Presented with Outstanding Service Award for taking over and moving the Personnel Recovery program from that of a pilot program to a program of record within USAID.

 

TATE Inc. | Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA)/Personnel Recovery Education and Training Center (PRETC) | Fredericksburg, VA | August 2011-November 2014

Personnel Recovery Instructor

  • Provided full spectrum subject matter expertise in regards to Personnel Recovery preparation, planning, execution, and adaptation at the joint operational level, taking into consideration policies, procedures, and requirements for all military services and other high-risk customers.

  • In-Resident and Mobile Training Team (MTT) lead instructor, provided training at the Joint, Service, and Interagency level. Customize course content to fit the specific needs of diverse audiences including leadership within the Personnel Recovery architecture.

  • Course manager. Ensured all courseware was current, accurate, and presented in a professional format according to educational principles and in response to stated requirements.

  • Conducted in-depth communication audit, focused on internal organizational communications.  Fully developed research process; methodology incorporated multiple research techniques and utilized descriptive statistics in the final analysis and findings.

  • Provided customized education and training to personnel from sensitive compartmented programs. 

  • Instructor trainer and mentor, responsible for the development of newly assigned instructors.

 

Reardan-Edwall School District | Reardan, WA | August 2008 - August 2011

5th Grade Classroom Teacher

  • Created personal lesson plans and managed the learning experiences, both curricular and extra-curricular, to ensure the needs of the group and individual students are met.

  • Implemented Reader’s Workshop model for literacy instruction using CAFÉ and Daily 5 approach and strategies, 23 of 25 students met or exceeded the state benchmark for reading on end-of-year MSP assessment.

  • In-depth knowledge of quantitative data analysis, utilized during reading miscue analysis to assist in diagnosing student reading disabilities, allowed for informed decisions on reading interventions.

  • Designed, managed, and implemented assessment of student performance and provided remediation and guidance to promote the student's welfare, educational development, and citizenship.

  • Participated in planning and evaluation of school program(s) and the district’s curriculum and program development.

 

TATE Inc./ SERE Solutions Inc. | Fairchild AFB, WA | July 2005 – August 2008

Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Instructor

  • Lead instructor for Academic training, responsible for training approximately 4,000 personnel annually in SERE and Personnel Recovery tactics, techniques, and procedures.

  • Responsibilities included quality assurance; training, developing, and mentoring instructors; curriculum development; and scheduling of assigned instructors. Required in-depth knowledge of instructional methodology and adult learning principles.

 

United States Air Force | Active Duty | September 1982 – August 2005                                  Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Specialist & Professional Military Education (PME) Instructor

SERE Specialist (AFSC J1T071) | 1983-1998 and 2001-2005

  • Managed SERE program for largest wing in Pacific Air Forces (PACAF); developed all course control documents and training scenarios; program rated “Excellent” on three command level inspections.

  • Developed and implemented operational risk management procedures and assessment matrix, allowed instructors to make sound safety decisions; lauded by Wing safety office as “best seen to date”.

  • Developed courseware for 12 training events; benchmarked by PACAF, used as command template.

  • Exercise Evaluation Team lead for SERE operations; developed and evaluated training scenarios; lauded for exceptional realism, enhanced operator’s ability to survive.

  • Provided SERE oversight as lead instructor for mobile training team that trained 420+ high-risk-of-capture personnel; increased U.S. and coalition forces survivability during combat operations.

  • Maximized scheduling & course load to support increased flying schedule, 80% increase from the norm.

  • Responded to September 11 attacks, developed new methods, approaches, and procedures to meet continuing program changes. Devised and executed shortfall plan after 50% loss in training area; maintained 100% combat readiness for 600+ aircrew members. 

  • Developed associated courseware utilizing the Instructional Systems Design process which included instructor guides, assessments, student guides, job aids, and training aids for three USAF Level C, Code of Conduct courses.

Professional Military Education (PME) Instructor (AFSC 8T070) | NCO Academy | 1999-2000

  • Prepared Non-Commissioned Officers to be professional, war-fighting Airman who can lead and manage Air Force units in the employment of air and space power.

  • Trained, evaluated and influenced 550+ Non-Commissioned Officers from all four U.S. military services and the Japanese Air Self Defense Force; vital leadership training in change management, mentoring, ethics, and motivation theory for supervisors performing the joint mission.

Education & Certifications

  • Master of Arts, Organizational Leadership, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, May 2017.

  • Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Whitworth University, Spokane, WA, May 2008.

Recent coursework & certifications

  • Certified e-Learning Specialist Course, Langevin Learning Services, February 2013.

  • Instructional Design for New Designers Course, Langevin Learning Services, November 2012.

  • Effective Facilitator Course, Leadership Strategies Institute, June 2012.

  • Certified Instructor/Facilitator Course, Langevin Learning Services, March 2012.

Professional Affiliations

  • Association for Talent Development (ATD)

Honors and Awards

  • Laureate Society-Dean’s Honor Roll, Graduated Summa Cum Laude, Whitworth University, Spokane, WA.

  • Meritorious Service Medal

  • Air Force Commendation Medal (w/3 bronze oak leaf clusters)

  • Air Force Achievement Medal (w/3 bronze oak leaf clusters)

  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (w/1 silver oak leaf cluster)

  • National Defense Service Medal (w/1 bronze star)

  • Afghanistan Campaign Medal

  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

  • Community College of the Air Force Occupational Instructor Certificate

  • Distinguished Graduate, NCO Academy

  • Air Education Training Command Master Instructor Certificate