PaCER Spotlight: Ari Daring

Ari Daring is a current member of the Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support Pathways to Career Excellence program. He started his PaCE journey in February 2025 and will graduate February 2027 as a post award contract administrator.

Why did you first apply to the PACE Program?

My experience in the Ohio National Guard has given me a firsthand perspective on the critical role that logistics plays in supporting the warfighter. I wanted to build on that foundation by gaining professional experience in federal procurement and contract negotiation. The developmental environment provided an ideal opportunity to expand my skills as a federal service professional while contributing to the mission, ensuring that warfighters have the resources and equipment they need to effectively carry out their responsibilities.

What is your professional background?

My background is a combination of systems management, sales, youth coaching, and military service. In the controlled-environment agriculture industry, I was responsible for managing and maintaining automated systems, which gave me hands-on experience working with complex processes and technology. I also have approximately five years of service in the Ohio National Guard, along with experience in product sales and youth basketball coaching. Together, these experiences have given me a diverse skill set spanning technical operations, communication, leadership and problem-solving.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your role in the PaCE program? How do you overcome them?

The biggest challenges I've encountered so far have been navigating unresponsive contractors and the learning curve that comes with the role. Over the past year, I've certainly made mistakes, but I've been fortunate to work with a team that fosters an environment where asking questions and seeking guidance are encouraged. I'm constantly learning from colleagues with years of experience, and I make a point of applying their insight to future tasks. That combination of reflection, experience and continuous learning has been one of the most effective ways to avoid repeating mistakes and continue improving in the role.

What's something that most people don't know about your job?

There are moments when the job takes on a distinctly investigative nature, requiring you to look beyond the information immediately in front of you to uncover the facts and determine the best course of action. Sometimes, that means reviewing historical records or reaching out to a contractor for an updated plan of action to determine if and when materials will be delivered. The job requires you to bring all the facts together, make informed decisions, and be able to clearly explain and stand behind your final decision.

What trends do you see shaping your job role in the future?

Looking at the bigger picture, I expect geopolitical and market conditions to play an increasingly important role in shaping the job. Current events can influence which countries we're able to source materials from, as well as how quickly we need to secure and deliver them. At the day-to-day level, however, I see automation having the greatest impact. A significant portion of the work involves emails, follow-ups, requests, status checks and other repetitive tasks. As automation capabilities continue to evolve, I think there will be greater opportunities to streamline those processes, reduce administrative work and allow more time to focus on higher-value and more complex responsibilities.

What makes a good fit for someone in your position?

I think being a good fit ultimately comes down to adaptability. In a training program like this, mistakes are inevitable, and what matters is how you respond to them. You have to be willing to learn from your mistakes, apply those lessons to future situations and continually improve as you gain experience.

How would you describe your job to someone unfamiliar with it?

The role is essentially a bridge between the warfighter and the businesses responsible for supplying them. Serving in that capacity requires strong workload management and coordination, as you are often balancing multiple requests, priorities and timelines simultaneously. Ultimately, however, the role carries a direct connection to mission readiness. You are responsible for ensuring that warfighters receive the right equipment and resources when they need them to accomplish their mission.

Can you share a specific accomplishment or project that made you feel especially proud?

The accomplishment I am most proud of is earning my Micro-Purchase Warrant. To achieve this, I met all competency metrics and met operational benchmarks. Securing this warrant not only marked a personal milestone in my contracting career but it also enables me to deliver immediate logistical support to our mission.

Editorial Note: The DLA Weapons Support Pathways to Career Excellence program is a two-year program that provides a structured career path with formal training, on-the-job assignments, cross-training and rotational assignments. PaCERs begin as general schedule 7s and can advance to GS-11or GS-12 upon completion. There are multiple pathways to becoming a PaCER, including being hired internally, as a recent graduate or from military service. For more information, visit www.dla.mil/Careers/PaCE/.