Success Stories

As a Mentor Jeffrey impacted the expansion of my vision for the future world after active military duty comes to an end.  Through our various conversations, he showed me to look at new and alternative career paths.  For example, Jeff opened my eyes to take a look at Human Resource Management area as a new career interest.  He continues to provide real-world insights on developing an effective resume, and job seeking strategies.  Jeff offers on a volunteer basis, his energy, time and professional demeanor in mentoring.  By his innate leadership style, he has created an environment of the “US Army Brothers” taking care of one another.  He exudes the creed on “Never leaving a comrade behind.” 

Jeff’s dedication in helping me make the transition from wounded warrior to the civilian workforce has been success!  I will always be grateful for his professionalism, caring and interest.  Thank you, Jeff.

Samuel D., Clackamas, OR, US Army

I will tell you that Patrick's advice and mentorship have helped a great deal. In the short time we have been conversing, I have learned a lot about corporate America, and its inner workings.  In addition, he has provided me advice on the interview process, which I am currently navigating.  His advice helped me do well in the interviews, and I now have two job offers.  Third, it is a great advantage for me to have a Mentor who has served for it gives him an understanding of the challenges veterans are facing today.  I am very fortunate to have him as my Mentor.  His advice is helping to set me up for success. 

I could keep going on and on about Patrick.  He is truly a great Mentor and is very easy to talk to, and fast on his feet. Overall, I am extremely happy, and feel very fortunate to have been paired with Patrick.

Fernando N., Edmond, OK, US Navy 

Paul has provided me with many keen insights and objective feedback during my ongoing nerve-racking transition from active duty to civilian employment. In recent weeks, I have had to research companies, do phone interviews, submit writing samples, consider location and salary options, conduct multiple job interviews, and I even met with the Chairman of the Board of a Fortune 500 company. Paul has been there for me every step of the way. The mix of feelings associated with leaving active duty after almost 20 years of service covers the full spectrum of emotions from complete joy and excitement to total fear and dread. Paul's guidance is directly contributing to my professional growth and my confidence in my ability to successfully transition. His experience and success in the corporate sector are a constant inspiration and remind me that there is life after the military, and life is good.

Michael M., Washington, DC, US Marine Corps

I would enthusiastically like to nominate Peter Charrington for the American Corporate Partners (“ACP”) Mentor-of-the-Month Award. In the five months Peter has served as my mentor he has helped me develop a successful game plan that has resulted in me obtaining employment at one of America’s most prestigious financial institutions. Before meeting Peter I knew I wanted to work in the financial sector, but I only had a broad idea of the actual position I wanted to obtain. During our first encounter, Peter evaluated my skill set and we determined the specific area of finance that was best suited for me.  His experience and wisdom allowed me to articulate to employers exactly why I wanted to be a financial analyst.

After developing a solid plan, Peter next introduced me to other professionals in the industry. He arranged for a director of human resources to evaluate my resume and provide guidance with regards to interviewing; he introduced me to other military veterans who work at Citi Group; and he provided me the opportunity to meet other bankers to expand my professional network.

I cannot put into words the impact that his mentorship has had on my confidence going forward. I’m thankful that ACP paired me with such a talented person who is deeply concerned about my future. 

-Nicholas S., New York, NY, US Marine Corps

Paul and I started about three months ago while I was still on deployment.  He made every effort to ensure that he was available for me even though I was 8 hours ahead of him.  During our very first meeting I could tell that Paul and I were going to have a great relationship and I looked forward to our future.  He was very energetic to help my transition but also extremely appreciative of my service.  In just three short meetings I can already tell that I have learned so much from him and the best part is that I know he will not stop his mentoring once the program is complete.  In between meetings he continues to be a resource for me, even while on the road. 

I know Paul is extremely busy and knowing that he has a family and job on top of this mentorship program is humbling to me.  After my successful transition into the civilian sector, I look forward to assisting in a mentor program to give back as much as Paul (and others) have.  Paul is a great role model for other mentors and I could not recommend him higher for this award.

-Sean M., Virginia Beach, VA, US Navy

When I met my mentor Barton O'Brien, our conversation was filled with common ground as combat Marine veterans.  After becoming familiar, we discussed career goals, future ambitions, and potential opportunities.  Then, he assisted me with a resume, assisted with scheduling attendance to a career fair, and gave me advice on interviewing.  Further, he provided valuable network contacts that assist me in the transitioning into civilian employment.

Continuing his enormous contribution, Bart invited me for coffee at a nearby business in New York City.  We discussed future career objectives.  Bart didn't stop there with his mentoring.  He arranged for me to be fitted with professional attire for interviewing at a nearby men's clothing store.  Finally, Bart gave me valuable advice on operations in the financial industry. 

For his contribution to my success in gaining employment, Bart has my highest recommendation for Mentor of the Month.  He is a tremendous individual who has volunteered much of his time to helping me as a fellow veteran.  He is an asset irreplaceable in the American Corporate Partners Program.  Thank you for establishing this relationship, this program has been critical to a successful military transition into the civilian sector.

-Baren B., Houtzdale, PA, US Marine Corps

Kathleen Peele is an outstanding ACP corporate mentor.  She actively assists me with every step of the job search process and is always available to provide great advice.  This is critical in today's extremely challenging economic environment.  Kathy is easy to talk with, is very friendly and knowledgeable, contacts me regularly by both phone and e-mail, and always provides focused, relevant, and actionable career management direction based on her extensive corporate experience, strong business acumen, unique insights, global expertise, and sound judgment.  She is a true asset to ACP and is very interested in making a true difference for veterans.  In other words, Kathy is doing a great job of helping returning warriors integrate into the corporate sector!

-Carl W., Dillon, MT, US Navy Reserves

I am honored to nominate Lou for Mentor of the Month. Lou is an outstanding person and mentor. I have been impressed again and again with his commitment to making sure I am successful.

I am so grateful for the time and work that Lou Capezzuto has put into this mentorship. As a busy patent attorney at Johnson & Johnson, his time is incredibly valuable, yet each month he stops what he is doing to meet with me, often for several hours. He has aggressively sought out opportunities for me to meet other attorneys and attend training events. His encouragement and sage advice is based on his own transition for the military to civilian employment, and has helped me make the right decisions about my career and education. He has served as a sounding board as I progress through law school, providing clear and consistent guidance as I wrestle with issues at law school and while seeking out internships. Lou is also very personable, and our meetings are always enjoyable. Lou is an outstanding leader and mentor. I’m lucky to have the opportunity to know and work with him.

-Michael H., Washington, NJ, US Army National Guard

Shane is an obvious, natural leader in the private sector. Before I met him, I felt like I didn’t have direction after leaving the military. There were so many options for me once I decided to get out, but after much consideration, I decided to pursue a graduate degree in law. ACP managed to connect me with a Mentor who had attended the very school I was attending during that year. Because of that fact, Shane was able to give me the inside scoop on our particular law school and also helped me focus my career goals for the future. Because I have no relatives nor do I know many people who have attended law school, I couldn’t have done as well as I did without Shane. He has given me direction on studying and future career options and he has taught me what types of jobs are available.

Additionally, Shane has been a sounding board during times when I needed to talk to an outside party about school. Law school is a very stressful place and sometimes you want to talk to somebody candidly about your experience, but other students are often too busy with their own studies and lives to slow down. Shane has let me vent to him about some failures I had, and with his motivation and direction, I managed to overcome them as time passed. By talking to him about issues I had, I felt more confident that I would be able to thrive. Now, I don’t feel like I did when we first met: I feel like I know what I want to do once I leave law school and also how to pursue that career. But Shane hasn’t held my hand; I didn’t want somebody to spoon feed me or not tell me how it really is out there in the legal world. I learned to quickly trust him because of his attitude and honesty.

Even just the small things Shane has done for me, like look over my résumé, have given me the confidence I needed to succeed in this new endeavor. I will be forever grateful to ACP and to my Mentor, Shane, for making this transition smoother than I expected. The best part about it is that I believe I will keep in contact with Shane and we will likely remain friends for the rest of my career.

-Brandi S., North Arlington, NJ, US Army

Val Palange is a one of a kind person - extremely successful and intelligent, she is both a mentor and champion.

From the beginning of our work together, she has helped me take a hard look at my military skills and translate my valuable experience into relevant skills civilian employers would value.

Her confidence in my abilities has helped me present myself in a positive manner to civilian executives and HR officers. I can better describe what I can offer to the organization and the immediate impact I can have. And, her coaching/mentoring has helped me figure out what I would like to do as a civilian. You have to know what you want, or otherwise, how can you ask for it?

With her guidance, I am armed with both the translation of my skills and improved confidence to articulate my hopes and dreams for a new challenge in the future.

I could not ask for more than that.

-Elizabeth B., Suffolk, VA, US Army

Mike Ullmann has gone above and beyond to reach out to me throughout the ACP mentorship. Mike's takes his role and responsibility as a mentor seriously, and I am honored to be his Protégé. Mike invests his time and energy in providing superior advice from his perspective, which is invaluable. One of the greatest challenges in a new career is to understand the culture and norms of corporate America. Mike helps me navigate my career path. As a mentor, he has always made himself available to me and is easy to connect with. As a resource, Mike is a sounding board for ideas and thoughts because he brings an external view from a senior level. He has been open and frank when discussing my career and I value his opinions. I am always able to speak to Mike because he chooses to make himself available to talk, despite a hectic schedule. I look forward to continuing our friendship and mentorship. Thank you, Mike.

-John H., Fairfax, VA, US Army

Bob Donner is an excellent Mentor. His guidance and assistance has been outstanding and very helpful. The entire team at The Home Depot has also been extremely helpful with my transition from the military to the civilian sector. 

To you, and the ACP program I must say thank you. I feel that your program has been an excellent experience and invaluable to assisting me in my transition.

I believe the mentorship program and the professional workshops have been directly responsible for me having seven interviews in the last few weeks and accepting a position with a corporation that has great opportunities in both management and train transportation services. Bob and the ACP program have my gratitude. It would be an honor to nominate Bob Donner as Mentor of the Month.

-William P., Loganville, GA, US Army

I wanted to take the time to extend a personal thanks to the ACP program and my Mentor Ed Hard, Program Manager of The Home Depot University. I could not appreciate more the connection Alexandra Boehm established for me with Ed as my Mentor. Confronted with only six months to transition, I found myself for the first time in 26 years in angst over what the next step would be; how do I confront the challenge of transition, writing my first résumé, understanding how civilian organizations operate, translating my military skills to the business sector as well as understanding where I fit best within an organization.

I could not have been placed with a more appropriate Mentor. I have discovered that Ed and I have a lot in common when it comes to goals and ambitions, and a common philosophy related to defining performance and effective leadership. We just use different words to outline and describe them. His interpersonal skills are phenomenal and a true bonus in our relationship; he listens and quickly translates what I present as a challenge to a course of action that quickly leads to the next step in my transition goals.

Ed has gone out of his way to assist me by expanding my network through introducing me to a number of his colleagues in various departments. He has advised me on corporate terminology, recruiting and interview trends, and how to determine appropriate compensation. I contact Ed with growing frequency and confidence as I progress closer to my final transition, trusting his advice and tutelage will point me in the right direction every time. Ed has coordinated opportunities for me to participate in training sessions within his organization and even surprised me with an opportunity to briefly meet and interact with the CEO of his company, Mr. Frank Blake. What an honor!

Ed is an inspiration. I would be honored if Ed were chosen as Mentor of the Month. This will give Ed the recognition he deserves.

-Jon C., Sharpsburg, GA, US Army

The ACP pairing between my Mentor, Tara Wooldridge, and me, is a result of divine orchestration, realized immediately after our first telephone conversation. My initial goal was to seek a better understanding of today’s corporate organization, which was met during our initial meeting, at the Home Depot Store Support Center. Accordingly, the transition from the military to corporate America was understood, with the tour of the complex, which was nothing short of spectacular.

Additionally, Tara’s assistance with my résumé development, insights on interviewing, and job search strategies were simply impeccable. Her sage advice about going on as many interviews as possible, to provide practice was so apropos and surreal. In fact, as she stated, this repetition helped me identify my strengths and accentuate them during the subsequent rounds of the interviewing process.

Earlier this month, she alerted me to a career event hosted by her employer, The Home Depot, titled “Mission: Transition,” which was an event for veterans, showcasing résumé building, job search techniques, and interviewing strategies. This pilot program, which will be replicated across the county, allowed me not only to network with other veterans, it embellished the topics we previously discussed. In fact, next month we will be attending a seminar together, geared to enhance my job prospects, even further.

I constantly ask myself why I waited so long to request a Mentor. My resounding answer is perhaps for such a time as this, because this pairing has truly exceeded my expectations. Finally, as the consummate professional, the epitome of poise, and the repository of experience, Tara shared her personal transition experience, delivered with such abundance of empathy. She consistently has the answer to all of my questions and provides the most appropriate anecdotal information. Some things are simply worth waiting for. Indeed my ACP Mentor is invaluable to me. Thank you.

-Robyn B., Duluth, GA, US Air Force