Biography
Mike Richards
Editor-in-Chief, The Forge
Mr
Michael Richards is a respected figure in defence and learning technologies, with a career spanning over three decades that showcases adaptability and innovation. His journey began at Advance Bank in 1988 as an Assistant Producer, where he contributed to over 130 training video productions, honing his skills in writing, directing, editing, and camera operation.
In 1994, Mike joined The Learning Group, becoming its first full-time Senior Developer, Instructional Designer, and Graphic Artist. He played a key role in the company's expansion, working with clients like Thomson Marconi Sonar and Zurich Insurance. This role highlighted his ability to manage diverse responsibilities.
From July 1999, Mike's career at Catalyst Interactive marked a period of significant achievement. As a Senior Developer and Team Leader, he led the development of an innovative distributed database system and guided his team to win the 2001 ACT Chief Ministers Award for OHS Training. He was instrumental in delivering projects for clients such as ANZ and the Department of Defence.
Between 2002 and 2006, Mike operated eLearning Media, offering instructional design and training services to various clients, including the Department of Immigration and Ricoh Australasia, demonstrating his entrepreneurial flair and eLearning expertise.
Returning to Catalyst Interactive/KBR Wyle in 2006 as a Project Manager/Instructional Designer, Mike worked on high-profile clients such as Chevron. His skills solidified his industry reputation.
In April 2011, Mike started an eight-year tenure at the Department of Defence as a Senior Digital Learning Producer. He developed eLearning packages, enhanced training programs, and co-produced the award-winning podcast ‘Into the Mind of a Fraudster’. His work earned him Defence coins and a Defence Australia Day Group Commendation.
As System Administrator and Change Manager at Defence Learning Technologies from September 2019, Mike was pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining Learning Management Systems and being awarded a Defence Coin for his role as Technical Director in a major online Defence forum.
In June 2022, Mike became the Production Manager at The Forge, JPME, and by November, he was the Acting Assistant Director. His responsibilities included managing submissions, stakeholder engagement, and overseeing The Forge's development and marketing.
In August 2024 Mike was promoted to the Assistant Director JPME role and is now the official Editor-in-Chief of The Forge.
Michael Richards’ career is a testament to his dedication and leadership in defence learning technologies, consistently pushing boundaries in defence education and technology.