The Dark Intelligence Group Team

Robert L. Michel
President & Editor in Chief

Deborah Lucas Michel, RN
Vice President
Deborah Lucas Michel RN is the Vice President for the Dark Intelligence Group based in Spicewood, Texas since 2000. She is responsible for Audio Conferences, Human Resources, Contract Monitoring, and financial oversight. She has a nursing degree and a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration from USC. Nurse Debbie is a psychiatric nurse with expertise in Quality Management, Program Development, and Case Management. When not working, she does volunteer work for community based services, trains Engel, enjoys sailing, and dancing. She can be reached at djlucas@darkreport.com or directly at 512-264-7103.

Robert Croce
Executive Publisher/General Manager
Email: bcroce@darkreport.com
Phone: (512) 264-7103
After almost 18 years as an executive in B2B publishing, Bob joined The Dark Intelligence Group in September 2018 to run daily operations and assist founder Robert Michel with a plan for future growth. Bob’s stops as a publishing company leader include health care information and training companies HCPro and Carlat Publishing, and Wellesley Information Services in the IT space. While at HCPro as Group Publisher, Bob was a part of a management team that helped that company through 10 years of super growth, leading to two private equity recapitalizations. A Boston area native, and graduate of Northeastern University, Bob splits his work time between our Spicewood, TX, main office, and his home office in the Boston area, where he lives with wife Maureen and their two “cheagle” puppies named Sully and Murphy.

Ron Rohrer
Phone: (317) 446-0225
Ron has more than 25 years of sales leadership experience excelling in the microbiology/infectious disease market. He has successfully pioneered multiple novel technology launches.
Ron is a forerunner in cultivating and capturing new standards for diagnostic medicine. He introduced and grew the following: First generation molecular with Gen-Probe, First generation MRSA and CDIFF PCR testing with GeneOhm Sciences, Multiplex PCR launch with Biofire Dx, Mass Spectrometry at Bruker, and Host Immune Response technology.
Ron is a graduate of the University of Dayton. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Lisa. Together they have raised three children and celebrate eight grandchildren. Ron enjoys coaching sports, Indy cars, biking, boating and camping.

Michael McBride
Managing Editor
Email: michael@mcbrideimedia.com
Phone: (616) 502-0850
Michael McBride is Managing Editor of Dark Daily and The Dark Report. He has been writing/editing magazine and website content on clinical laboratory medicine, pathology, healthcare information technology, and related topics for three decades. He also has edited 12 fiction novels for various authors. Michael is former Editor-in-Chief of Health Management Technology magazine, Technology Editor for Medical Economics magazine, and Editorial Director for Pandamoon Publishing.

Amanda Curtis
Manager of Marketing & Operations
Phone: (512) 264-7103
Amanda has over 20 years experience working in executive supporting/accounting roles. She has been an executive office manager, retirement plan administrator, and bookkeeper. Amanda lives near The Dark Report headquarters in Spicewood, TX with her husband and twin sons. She also has a grown daughter who lives in Dallas. Amanda is also a certified personal trainer, part-time wedding coordinator and venue manager.
How Clinical Laboratories Can Prepare for Crisis Events Before They Happen
Experts share strategies to help clinical laboratories prepare for disruptions, protect samples, and maintain testing operations during unexpected crises. Laboratory crises rarely announce themselves in advance. They may begin with an after-hours phone call, a freezer...
Vitestro Raises $70M to Advance Robotic Phlebotomy as Labs Confront Workforce Pressures
New funding will help Vitestro expand clinical validation, scale manufacturing, and prepare its autonomous blood-draw technology for broader hospital and laboratory adoption. Vitestro has secured $70 million in oversubscribed Series B financing to accelerate...
Lab Skills on the Rise, Says LinkedIn’s Latest Report
New LinkedIn data highlights workflow optimization, compliance, and clinical laboratory testing as fast-growing skills shaping the future of lab careers. LinkedIn’s latest “Skills on the Rise” report offers fresh insight into how the healthcare workforce is...
Clinical Labs Gain Ground with Noninvasive dd-cfDNA Transplant Surveillance
High negative predictive value and real-time insights make donor-derived cell-free DNA testing a strategic addition to molecular diagnostic menus. A new blood test that measures donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is reshaping post-transplant surveillance by...
Study Hints at Clinical Lab’s Future Role in Investigating Sudden Unexplained Death in Children
UW Medicine and Seattle Children’s launch long-read sequencing research to uncover genetic factors, setting new standards for pediatric genomic testing. The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Foundation has awarded funding to a team at UW Medicine and...
National Safety Council Launches SIF Prevention Tool that Clinical Laboratories Can Use
New digital assessment helps lab leaders identify systemic safety gaps before serious injuries and fatalities occur. Dark Daily’s sister publication, Lab Manager, recently reported that the National Safety Council (NSC) has launched a new digital assessment tool...
ACLA Eyes RESULTS Act Vote at the End of the Year
Until then, clinical laboratory professionals must push the proposed legislation forward to achieve PAMA reform. Officials from one of the key groups behind the proposed RESULTS Act stated earlier this month that the goal is to have the legislation attached to a...
BD and Envetec Pilot Recycling of Polystyrene Petri Dishes into New Lab Products
A feasibility study shows disinfected lab plastics can be converted into reusable manufacturing raw material for new healthcare products. Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) and Envetec Sustainable Technologies have completed a joint feasibility study evaluating...
ADLM Urges Federal Action to Ensure Safe, Equitable AI in Clinical Labs
The association urges stronger regulations and data standards to keep AI safe and fair in clinical laboratories. The Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) is calling on Congress and federal regulators to modernize laboratory oversight as...
Medicare Part B Lab Spending Hits $8.4 Billion as Genetic Testing Captures 43% of Dollars
Genetic tests make up just 5% of volume but now drive 43% of Medicare Part B lab spending, according to OIG’s latest report. Medicare Part B spending on clinical laboratory testing rose to $8.4 billion in 2024, a 5% increase over the previous year, according to the...

