Dave has extensive experience coordinating and advising employers, Industry Associations, and the Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (DOL- OA) on the most effective implementation models for Registered Apprenticeships, Workforce development and Military hiring programs.

Dave has served as one of twelve DOL-OA designated Industry Subject Matter Experts in Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance for the last 6 years. Combined with more than two decades of experience in Recruiting, Employee Training and Development, and Operations in the private sector Dave has directly supported, developed, and implemented apprenticeship related instruction (ARI) and on-the-job (OJT) training outlines for multiple training and development and DOL Apprenticeship programs. Dave has successfully designed and implemented National Standards of Registered Apprenticeships, National Occupational Frameworks and curriculum across a multitude industry sectors. In his capacity as Executive Director he manages eleven National Programs that have accounted for over 15,000 Apprentices.

Dave served multiple combat tours of duty as a U.S Army Infantry leader. He received his BA in History - Secondary Education from Austin Peay State University.  He has been a high school educator, football coach, business owner and in his over 11 years with J.B Hunt transport he is best known for developing and directing the Hunt’s Heroes program with the dedicated mission of hiring 10,000 Veterans. He and his wife, Gena, have five daughters and 7 grandchildren.

Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza is a freelance journalist and From Day One contributing editor who writes about work, the job market, and women’s experiences in the workplace. Her work has appeared in the BBC, The Washington Post, Quartz at Work, Fast Company, and Digiday’s Worklife.