ACP congratulates:

Brad Tieke — Illinois
Eric Ostern – New Jersey
Peter Climie – Connecticut

I would like to nominate Brad Tieke for ACP’s Mentor of the Month. We started working together about a year before my planned transition date. I would be leaving the Army after 22 years, and I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, much less how to get there. Brad helped me to inventory my skills and experiences, and more importantly to identify which experiences I was really passionate about. Then, he helped me to assess my gaps, and suggested ways to mitigate or eliminate them. 

Though perhaps more important than any of the tactical objectives, Brad has been an amazing sounding board, a voice of experience, and an incredible source of encouragement. I am so grateful for Brad and for this program. I know that without Brad’s mentorship, I would not have the confidence or the marketability that I have now.

- Michael B., U.S. Army, Texas

First, it goes without saying that Eric has the experience and perspective required to help one navigate a post-military transition.  Beyond the basics of being a great mentor, Eric possesses the following skills. 

Eric listens.  He listens to what I want and where I want to go.  He does not have a canned answer as to what job would be a good 'fit' post-retirement.  His methodology allowed me to really think about sectors and now, importantly, positions that would interest me and allow me to leverage my skill set.  

Eric asks questions.  Eric took the time to ask me what a particular bullet or experience on my resume 'meant.'  He then listened to my explanation and was able to effectively translate my military language into terms easily accessible to a non-military audience.  After I showed some non-military friends my 'civilian' resume, they immediately understood my background and some of the skills Corporate America could leverage.  

Eric is accessible. Eric is always happy to answer a text or meet-up when necessary and when I have a question or concern.  In July, a job that really interested me popped up. I told Eric about it on Tuesday. By Thursday, we had a cover letter and I submitted my application.  His willingness to focus his limited time to help me during a time-sensitive moment was really appreciated.

Eric is simply a good person.  I enjoy talking to Eric. We have fun discussing some mutually shared experiences.  Given everything that he has going on in his life, the travel and his own responsibilities, I really appreciate his 'service' in helping me during this phase in my life.  

 In summary, I have yet to meet Eric in person but regardless of where the road leads, I hope to share a dinner and some good conversation.   Thank you, Eric, for your time, service and friendship. 

- J.P. P., U.S. Air Force, Colorado

Mentorship, regardless of the industry, is vital to professional and personal growth. Having a mentor in private industry has greatly broadened my horizons and equipped me to make a successful transition from the Army to the corporate world. Thus, I would like to nominate Peter Climie for ACP's Mentor of the Month. 

Highly knowledgeable and always accessible, Pete provides thoughtful advice on leading in business. He easily draws parallels between his own experiences and my descriptions of life in the military. These connections not only give me confidence that I can apply my military background to future endeavors, but also provide insight into the nuances of the corporate world. Beyond this, Pete is always willing to paint a detailed picture of the various functional areas within business. Through his explanations, I now understand which roles and positions will be the best fit for me. 

Pete's mentorship goes further: he also reviewed my resume and provided critical, actionable feedback. My resume is now far stronger, with less jargon and more detail. Lastly, we went through several iterations of discussing key points and characteristics to highlight during interviews. Overall, I am confident that Pete's mentorship will assist me in successfully transitioning. 

To any future service members who will match with Pete: you are extremely fortunate to have someone as professional and insightful as him. Take advantage of all the knowledge that he has to share!

- Jeremy M., U.S. Army, Massachusetts

ACP congratulates:

Mack Jones - Florida
Matt Bishop - Florida

I would like to nominate Mack Jones for ACP’s Mentor of the Month. We began working together about six months ago when I was preparing to separate from the Army after twenty-four years of active duty service. I was nervous about separating, because I was unsure of what type of work I would like to pursue and how to effectively job search altogether.

Without Mack’s guidance and insight, I do not know where I would be today. Mack started by helping me with my résumé, especially translating my military experience into corporate-speak. He also introduced me to others in his network that helped me understand the types of work available. Most importantly, Mack was my sounding board, and he offered his moral support. There have been times when I was extremely frustrated and upset about the job searching process, and Mack was there to listen. He would provide a sympathetic ear and advice when needed.

Someday, I hope to meet Mack in-person to thank him for all that he has done. He will truly never know how much this experience has meant to me. I couldn't think of a better Mentor than Mack, and it was ACP that brought us together.


- Kurt R., U.S. Army, Missouri

I would like to nominate Matt Bishop for ACP’s Mentor of the Month. I have been working with Matt for about eight months, and even though we are located a few time zones away from each other, our mentorship has worked out very well. Matt and I spoke during his time off of work and on my lunch break, and we have had great conversations. He has helped me to improve my résumé and interviewing skills, and he was instrumental in helping me to search for job opportunities.

At one point, I had three job offers in the same day, and Matt helped to talk through them and weigh the options. Although I could have accepted a position for slightly more money, Matt and I were able to discuss which position would truly be best for me. The ability for Matt to sit down and talk to me when I needed it has been extremely valuable.

This mentorship has focused on more than just trying to find a job — Matt has also helped me as I have dealt with personal issues. Throughout this mentorship, I have always been able to speak about everything that is going on with someone who has an unbiased view and great advice. Thank you, Matt!

- Gustavo M., U.S. Marine Corps, Hawaii

ACP congratulates:

Keith Fenech - California
Nicholas Vondrak - California 

I would like to nominate Keith Fenech for ACP’s Mentor of the Month. I first met Keith in November of last year, and his mentorship has been incredible since day one. Keith’s input on resume design and content have been invaluable. I am regularly told by top companies that my resume stands out from other veterans’ due to its clear translation of my military skills to civilian careers. Keith’s guidance has opened doors that would have otherwise remained closed.

Additionally, Keith’s feedback during interview preparation has been key to my positive performance. His explanations completely reframed my method of approach and helped me to skillfully react when presented with challenging questions. 

Finally, Keith has always made himself completely available for advice as I made career decisions and has challenged me to remain true to myself when deciding on which path to follow. I know that had if it not been for Keith’s guidance, I would still be floundering my way through this step in my career. My family and I would like to thank Keith for not only giving me the tools to succeed but for keeping me focused on my goals.

- Adam C., U.S. Army, Maryland

I would like to nominate Nic Vondrak for ACP’s Mentor of the Month. Nic and I have been paired for over six months. We were introduced while I was about five months from separating from active duty (U.S. Army, Fort Drum, NY). While I had some plans for my transition, I started with very little focus in regard to industry and little real knowledge of what to ask for and how to ask for it.

Nic was able to help me frame my timeline against my short- and long-term goals to make me as effective as possible in the time available. I combined the educational and transition programs I was taking advantage of with Nic’s guidance and translation of the civilian world to greatly expand my understanding and put all of the pieces together. Nic has been able to explain ambiguous pieces of business culture as well as give direct advice on small, but important, details and matters. The military to business transition is as much about learning skills as it is about re-structuring personal confidence. Nic is more than capable in assisting veterans seeking success in those areas.

I am very grateful for Nic’s involvement with ACP. He has placed significant time and thoughtfulness into his work with me in our mentorship. I know that his guidance significantly impacted my success, and I would recommend him as a mentor to anyone negotiating the complexities of leaving military service.

- Evan W., U.S. Army, New York

ACP congratulates:

Phillip Ellikidis - Virginia
Oradee Imvised - New York

I would like to nominate Philip Ellikidis for ACP's Mentor of the Month. I was introduced to Phil in December of 2018. When we first spoke, I was preparing for an in-person interview for a sales position. Phil, having previously held a career in sales, was able to give me advice for my interview, and I got the job. I have now been with my new company for six months and love it.

Phil’s mentorship has helped me tremendously. One particular aspect that stands out is that he introduced me to Salesforce, a platform which has aided me in my new role greatly. I now use Salesforce daily and have become proficient in the software, in part due to Phil’s assistance. He is also currently helping me leverage my newfound skills in Salesforce to push for a promotion within my company.

Phil has been great to speak with and has worked well with my schedule and me — even though his life has been busy with a new addition to his family. I would like to thank Phil for taking the time to help me grow.

- Daniel H., U.S. Army, Colorado

I would like to nominate Oradee Imvised for ACP’s Mentor of the Month. Oradee and I have been working with each other for almost a year now. When we were first introduced, I had just separated from the Navy and was doing well but had competing aspirations. At that time, I only had the research I had done myself on how to break into the IT industry to work off of. If it weren’t for Oradee, I wouldn't be on the track I am now.

Right away, Oradee and I discussed short- and long-term plans. Her advice was instrumental in my decision to re-enroll in school to work toward the completion of my Computer Science degree. The reviews of material I worked on and the tasks in her workplace were critical in my understanding of the work environment. Our discussions have truly led me to feel comfortable and proud of my capabilities. Oradee is an exemplary mentor — she not only assisted me from a career perspective but on a personal level as well, as I went through the home-buying process.

I want to thank Oradee for sacrificing her time to help others. I can't say enough about her kindness and concern for the community. She is a great person who gives so much to others inside and outside of this program. From working full-time, to volunteering with her son's Scout program, to dealing with his school's demands, she embodies the definition of selflessness. I look forward to exhibiting some of her traits and becoming a mentor myself one day.

- David S., U.S. Navy, Ohio

ACP congratulates:

Jacqueline Smyth - Georgia
Nicholas Neisen - New York                                                                                   

I would like to nominate Jacqueline Smyth for ACP’s Mentor of the Month. Jacquie has been my mentor for just under a year and has been pivotal in my transition from the Navy. I built a portfolio of experience throughout my Naval career and required assistance translating military success into a professional understanding, and Jacquie was there to guide me through every detail.

Our first conversation lasted well over an hour, just as we got to know one another personally and professionally. Her sense of motivation and interpersonal skills stood out immediately, and I knew that the ACP program coordinators had selected the best mentor for me as I transitioned into a career outside of the Navy. I had all of the “meat and potatoes” to fill up a resume and cover letter with ease, but I did not know how to engineer it into the “machine” that it is today. Jacquie reviewed and critiqued it. Then she reviewed and critiqued it some more. She ensured that I understood how to best describe my experiences and got me talking about my skills and abilities, which unknowingly prepared me for our interview practices later in the mentorship. I had several promising interviews lined up during this time, and she gave me the tools and confidence to execute them with ease. Jacquie has been my motivation and my beacon for success and professionalism as I transitioned.

I am currently working as a Logistics Account Manager, and Jacquie was key in preparing me for my new career. Her generous encouragement and endless information will forever be engraved into my memories of my Navy and civilian careers. I proudly thank Jacquie for her service to the military and for helping me through this process.

- David J., U.S. Navy, Indiana

I would like to nominate Nicholas Neisen for ACP’s Mentor of the Month. Nick has devoted countless hours — well above the minimum required for the program. He has been supportive throughout this mentorship, never short of great ideas, and has helped me to hold myself accountable to define and meet my career goals and objectives.

Nick and I were first introduced in September 2018, when for the first time in my life I felt like I was lacking a clear career vision and direction. I didn’t know what my next steps were with setting career goals and was having difficulty prioritizing and determining where my time would be best spent.  During our initial call, I felt like I was all over the place and was wondering how anyone could possibly help me sort through my thoughts to clarify what it was that I needed to do to develop a plan. But Nick knew exactly what to do. He began by offering a few suggestions of where I could get started and, from that point forward, he kept me focused and on task. 

No matter what I was working on, what networking event I had recently attended, what book/assessment I had recently finished, or what career related challenges I was having, Nick listened. He provided honest feedback, gave sound advice from all sides of the equation, is famous for saying, “This all sounds great, but have you thought about this?,” had a solid grasp on what needed to happen next, and always made it a point to reassure me that he was my biggest advocate.

Nick, thank you so much for volunteering your time to this program, sharing your experience, providing guidance, and all that you have done to help me take the appropriate steps to advance my career. You not only saved me time by keeping me on point; you provided best practices from which to work from, built my confidence in terms of realizing my value, and helped me learn the process of how to define and set my career goals and objectives. You have helped prepare me professionally for the next stage of my career and any challenges that may lie ahead. I hope that in the future I am fortunate enough to become a mentor of your caliber, as you have set a high bar from which to work from. 

Further, thank you to Nick’s family and employer (UPS) for the time he took away to assist me. He really made a positive difference in my professional and personal life. Thank you ACP and ACP staff (most notably Lauren) for creating and maintaining this valuable program, sharing your resources, and providing assistance throughout this journey. Every veteran should take full advantage of this valuable program.

- Brad H., U.S. Air Force, Maryland

ACP congratulates:

Paula Doroff - Minnesota
Brian D' Anna - New York

I would like to nominate Paula Doroff for ACP’s Mentor of the Month. Paula has been instrumental in my transition and has helped me shift from a military perspective to a corporate one. One of the most troubling things that I have had issues with is the interviewing process. Paula has not only given her thoughts and perspectives on the topic, but she also enlisted one of her contacts in the industry to help guide me as well. This allowed for me to receive a comprehensive overview of the interview process from multiple perspectives.

Paula has also helped guide me as I decide what to pursue once I finish graduate school. When I began working with Paula, I was so confused about the different positions and job areas within the financial services industry. Paula was very knowledgeable when I asked about each of the various job functions, and it helped me decide what to pursue when I graduate.

With Paula as my Mentor, I now feel more confident as I look for employment in the financial services industry. I know that whenever I have a question about the process, Paula is just a phone call, text, or email away. I am truly grateful that we connected as Mentor and Protégé. I could not have asked for a better mentor to guide me down this path as I strive for a successful, rewarding career.

- Eric C., U.S. Air Force, Virginia

I would like to nominate Brian D’Anna for ACP’s Mentor of the Month.  We began working together near the end of 2018, as I was finishing up my Bachelor’s degree in Finance at Pace University. At the time, I was nervous about what steps I should take next; but with Brian’s guidance, he has helped me establish a course that was best for me, including beginning my journey toward my MBA and enrolling in a field study class in China.

Brian has also helped me tremendously with improving my resume(s). With Brian’s years of expertise, he has helped me to fine-tune my resume to be geared more toward each specific position that I apply for. He also plays an excellent devil’s advocate when we have our conversations and whenever I am looking for guidance. By doing that, he helps me to realize my actual hopes for my future, instead of just inferring his own.

Brian is, and has been, a phenomenal Mentor, and I don’t know that I would be where I am today without his assistance. Coming from a military and para-military background straight into the corporate world is very frightening, but with Brian’s help and knowledge, he has made the transition much easier. I could not have asked for a better mentor than Brian. He has a plethora of information after his years in the business, and he only wants what is best for his Protégé. I am very thankful for ACP, Robert Rahni, and Brian D’Anna for everything that they have done in bringing us together. 

- Dwayne H., U.S. Air Force, New York