Rouse Consulting, LLC Announces Strategic Ownership Change and Celebrates Decades of AcqDemo Excellence
Clifton, Virginia – May 7, 2026 – Rouse Consulting, LLC (RC), the premier provider of Talent Management support services for the Department of War, today announced a formal change in company ownership. Effective April 11, 2026, this transition marks a new chapter for the firm as it continues to build upon its legacy as the primary private authority on the Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo). Dirk Smith, President and CEO, and Hallie Smith, Vice President of Corporate Services, assume ownership of the firm, with founder Al Rouse remaining on as Strategic Advisor.
Since its inception, Rouse Consulting has been synonymous with the evolution of the AcqDemo framework. The company's leadership and principals, including the current NAVSEA AcqDemo program manager, possess expertise that dates back to the program's initial launch in 1998. Since 2010, RC has served as the leading support provider within the Department of War (DoW), training over 100,000 individuals across all military services.
“Rouse Consulting has always been defined by its deep-rooted commitment to the professional development and performance management of the acquisition workforce,” said Dirk Smith, President and CEO of Rouse Consulting. “As we transition into this next phase of ownership, our mission remains unchanged: to provide the high-level advisory and instructional support that has made us a trusted partner to leadership at the highest levels of the military. "The foundation we built over more than two decades is in excellent hands," said Al Rouse, Founder and Strategic Advisor of Rouse Consulting. "I look forward to continuing to contribute to the mission alongside this exceptional team."
Rouse Consulting’s impact is particularly evident within the primary Navy seagoing platform acquisition organizations- Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and Strategic Systems Programs (SSP). The firm has provided dedicated, embedded support to NAVSEA and SSP HQ directorates continuously since 2016. The RC team has a proven track record of providing hands-on program guidance to leadership, including Senior Executive Service (SES) and Flag Officer levels.
Key highlights of Rouse Consulting’s expertise include:
- Premier Training: Training the entirety of the NAVSEA and SSP AcqDemo workforce and over 100,000 personnel DoD-wide.
- Strategic Advising: Consistently advising pay pool managers and panels on structure, improvements, and the formulation of pay pools.
- Embedded Support: Maintaining a continuous presence within NAVSEA and SSP HQs since 2016.
- Workforce Readiness: Delivering extensive instructional programs, including pay pool tabletop exercises, contribution planning sessions, and self-assessment writing workshops.
The change in ownership is designed to ensure the long-term stability and continued growth of the firm while maintaining the specialized technical knowledge that has made Rouse Consulting a staple of the AcqDemo community. Current clients and partners can expect a seamless transition with no disruption to ongoing services or support.
About Rouse Consulting, LLC Rouse Consulting, LLC is a Small Business based in Northern Virginia led by Dirk Smith, President and CEO, and Hallie Smith, Vice President of Corporate Services, with founder Al Rouse serving as a Strategic Advisor. Specializing in the implementation and sustainment of DoW Human Capital programs, RC provides training, program management, and high-level advisory services to ensure a mission-ready federal work
