The Person Behind the Platform
Meet the unexpected, self‑made founder behind the DCoE, Blake Newman. His journey is anything but traditional. It’s a story built on grit, reinvention, and a refusal to accept limitations, the kind of path that shapes not just a career, but a worldview.
In a digital landscape where industries shift overnight and talent pipelines are more fragmented than ever, Blake’s story offers something rare: a compass for navigating uncertainty with determination and long‑term thinking. His path mirrors the challenges many leaders face today — rapid change, reinvention, and the pressure to build systems that can withstand disruption.
Where the Story Begins
Growing up lower‑middle class meant that whenever Blake wanted something, it often felt out of reach. The reality was simple: “We didn’t have any money when I was growing up.” Instead of discouraging him, those moments shaped a mindset he still carries today — “if I want something, I need to earn it myself.”
That belief sparked his entrepreneurial drive at a young age, leading to his first venture delivering newspapers in his early teens. Blake learned early that constraints don’t limit you — they clarify what you’re willing to work for.
A Detour that Redefined the Journey
His path then took a sharp turn at 16 when he dropped out of high school and joined the Army. He says the military didn’t just teach him discipline; it taught him grit and how to stay steady under pressure. It also opened the door to his next chapter: technology.
After serving in the 82d Airborne Division for three years, Sergeant Newman enrolled in computer programming classes through a vocational program designed to help infantry paratroopers transition back into civilian life. What started as a practical step quickly turned into a genuine interest. That spark led him to pursue a college degree, and after graduating, he landed his first major role working on a large‑scale defense contracting project.
But just as quickly as the opportunity appeared, it disappeared. The rise of the Internet made the entire initiative obsolete almost overnight. Most people experience their first major industry disruption mid‑career. Blake encountered this early, and it shaped his instinct to stay ahead of change rather than react to it. He learned how to be agile before agile was a thing.
A New Direction Unfolds
That adaptability paid off. In the early days of the web, Blake registered a domain name, Photographer.com, during the first year domains were even available. His thriving photography business allowed him to work with celebrity clients, operate across multiple cities, and generate significant revenue. But once again, the industry shifted. Digital cameras, Photoshop, and eventually the iPhone lowered the barrier to entry, and margins collapsed. Blake made the strategic decision to sell the domain and used the proceeds as seed capital for whatever came next.
Building the Next Chapter: Agileana
After being let go from a federal government role, a moment that could have derailed him, Blake instead treated it as a turning point. With the remaining funds from Photographer.com, he launched Agilena. The company grew quickly, and the breakthrough moment came when Agilena partnered with REI Systems on UX/UI work for the White House, establishing credibility and national‑level impact for both himself and his company.
This momentum led to Agilena’s first direct federal RFP win with the Administrative Conference of the United States, a client they still serve 16 years later. Blake built Agilena on grit, determination, and long‑term thinking, values that continue to define his leadership today.
The Roots of the DCoE
All of these experiences ultimately shaped the foundation of the DCoE. Blake’s military background instilled the structure, discipline, and clarity that now guide how the platform operates. His childhood taught him resourcefulness and drive — the instinct to build, adapt, and keep moving forward. And his diverse career, spanning government, entrepreneurship, and federal contracting, gave him the ability to see the horizon while guiding his team through the details. Together, these form the backbone of the DCoE’s mission: bringing clarity, opportunity, and alignment to a digital ecosystem that often feels fragmented.
A New Chapter Begins
As Blake’s own career journey reaches a point of maturity, a new chapter is emerging — one centered on sharing what he’s learned. Through the DCoE, he’s shifting his focus from building his own path to helping others navigate theirs. As he puts it, “I’m at the right time in my life to be able to coach other entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business teams on how to optimize their system and thrive.” The next chapter explores the wisdom earned along the way — and how he’s using it to guide the leaders rising behind him.