In my post-military career as a high school English teacher, I had a dream of building a literary publishing company, but I felt stuck and didn’t have the support or guidance to help me take the necessary steps. Having Ronald as my mentor has been an incredible blessing. As a celebrated senior leader and business advisor whose extensive experience and expertise earned him a role as Associate Deputy Administrator for Government Contracting and Minority Enterprise Development under the Clinton Administration, Ronald is not only uniquely qualified to advise entrepreneurs, but he is also incredibly attentive and supportive, offering insightful feedback and encouragement in support of my vision for my business and my career.

Entrepreneurship poses its own unique challenges, and developing a business model that allows me to prioritize social impact while remaining financially viable means that I need to develop an approach to literary publishing that sets me apart from existing publishers. While also juggling a full-time teaching job and my own literary writing career, it is easy to get discouraged and feel like starting a business is an unrealistic endeavor. However, during each meeting, Ronald takes the time to listen to my successes, challenges, and concerns, and he supports me in defining the next best steps for staying on course with the business.

One step at a time, keeping sight of each milestone along the way—this is how Ronald has taught me to embrace entrepreneurship and not give in to feelings of discouragement. Ronald’s compassion and conscientious support have inspired me to mentor others with the same level of expertise and care as a literary publisher. Thank you Ronald, and thank you Eugene at ACP for helping me step into a new career and build my business with a sense of clarity and purpose!

- Abena N., US Army Veteran

I am honored to nominate Denise Graziano for Mentor of the Month with American Corporate Partners. Denise played a pivotal role in my transition from the U.S. Navy to corporate America. From the beginning, she provided invaluable guidance as I navigated unfamiliar territory and worked to identify how my strengths and experience could best align with new career opportunities. Her ability to ask the right questions and challenge me to reflect on my motivations helped me gain clarity and focus during my job search.

Thanks to her mentorship, I was able to secure a position as a business development lead at a defense tech startup—despite having no prior sales experience. Denise not only helped me prepare for the role, but she has continued to be a trusted resource and advisor. She offers practical strategies, shares relevant articles and tools, and regularly checks in to hold me accountable and support my growth.

What sets Denise apart is not just her extensive business knowledge, but her unique ability to communicate complex concepts in a way that is clear, approachable, and actionable. As someone new to the corporate world, I’ve found this skill to be especially valuable.  In short, she's been able to train a knuckle-dragger Navy helicopter pilot.  That's a unique skill...
I’m incredibly grateful for Denise’s ongoing support. She’s a dedicated mentor, an insightful sounding board, and a true partner in my professional development. I'm so lucky to have her in my corner.

- Gabe K., US Navy Veteran

I am honored to nominate Cathy for Mentor of the Month. Cathy has been an exceptional resource and mentor throughout my transition from the military, and have provided honest, actionable, and valuable feedback and insight throughout our time together.

When ACP first matched us, I wasn’t sure how Cathy’s background would align with my goals, but they were spot on to put us together. Cathy’s experience working in a field not closely related to her education gave her a unique perspective on how to strategically approach my own, similar, objectives.

Our conversations included corporate culture, skills alignment, resume reviews, cover letter examples, offer negotiations, and interview tactics. But most importantly, Cathy has been the springboard when I needed a boost. She has been my biggest cheerleader, provided clarity when the waters got too murky, and helped me understand the unexpected frustrations that come from job searching in the current market.

I honestly believe that I wouldn’t have been nearly as successful in this process without Cathy’s input. Her dedication is unmatched, and her help has been invaluable. I am incredibly grateful for the time and support she has provided and could not have done this without her.

- Christopher S., U.S. Army, Kansas

I’m honored to nominate Jie as ACP’s Mentor of the Month.

Since December 2024, Jie has been an outstanding guide during my transition out of the military after over 20 years of service. From resume prep to mock interviews to navigating the hiring process, he helped me every step of the way. Once I landed my current role, Jie stayed involved—coaching me through onboarding, goal-setting, and adapting to the civilian workforce.

We meet twice a month, or more often if needed, and even outside of our scheduled calls, Jie’s always been available. Whether it’s answering questions, sending a quick check-in text, or just sharing a meme to lighten the mood, he brings both professionalism and personality to this mentorship.

Beyond his logistics expertise and mentorship, Jie is a husband, father, Lord of the Rings fan, and an unfortunate Philadelphia Eagles supporter (I’m a proud Giants fan—but we manage to keep it civil). Through all of this, mentorship grew into a genuine friendship. I truly look forward to meeting him in person soon.

I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor—or a better friend. Thanks to Jie and ACP, I’ve been set up for success in this next chapter.

- Erick L., U.S. Army, Maryland

When I joined ACP, I was navigating one of the hardest seasons of my life—grieving the loss of my mother, leaving a corporate role, and facing the uncertainty of transitioning from the military to civilian life. Then I met Denise.

With her background in business and marketing, Denise immediately understood the challenges I faced as a woman in a male-dominated corporate world. She reminded me that it was not only okay to be myself—but that my authenticity was a strength. She encouraged me to embrace success without apology and gave me the tools to move forward with confidence. 

From monthly check-ins to mock interviews, to shared strategic advice, Denise consistently showed up. She gifted me the book Worthy, which helped me face the imposter syndrome that often followed me. Her mentorship didn’t just guide my career path—it helped me heal, rebuild my faith, and grow through grief, depression, and uncertainty.

Recently, I’ve accepted a role as a General Manager, with a government contracting firm, allowing me to continue serving fellow veterans, and I’ve also launched my own consulting business. Denise pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me become someone I’m truly proud of.

What started as mentorship has become a lasting friendship. I’m deeply grateful to ACP for connecting us, and incredibly thankful for Denise’s unwavering support. Because of her, I’m stepping into my future with clarity, purpose, and hope.

- Tiffany B., U.S. Air Force, Texas

It is with great pleasure that I nominate Katherine as ACP's Mentor of the Month! As a separating service member with very little exposure to the private sector, I have been very fortunate to spend one-on-one time with an executive like Katherine. Not only is she an expert in corporate human resources and among the leadership of a world-renowned media conglomerate, Katherine's straight talk and sincerity have made her an invaluable mentor. Katherine’s input and insight have helped to solidify my next professional move and without her assistance, I might have gone rudderless down a path that was likely a poor fit for my family and me. Katherine went far above and even introduced me to other potential mentors within her circle of contacts. Of course, with a portfolio like Katherine's, it is astounding that she would be willing to dedicate time to these mentorship sessions, but it's clear she does so because she cares about me as a veteran and my transition out of uniform. Thank you Katherine!!

- John C., U.S. Army, Washington D.C. 

I am honored to nominate Kelly for Mentor of the Month. When we began working together last year, I was considering making the leap from military service to a career in software development. At the time, the prospect of leaving the military for the unknown of the private sector was extremely daunting. However, from our very first meeting, Kelly's approachability, supportive nature, and deep industry knowledge were apparent. Kelly possesses that rare ability to instill confidence while providing practical, actionable guidance.

What truly sets Kelly apart is his genuine investment in his mentees' success. When it came time for me to begin tackling the technical interview process, Kelly went far beyond our scheduled sessions, dedicating countless hours to conduct mock interviews and provide detailed, constructive feedback. He even shared curated resources from his own preparation experiences and introduced me to other engineers in the field, a further testament to his selflessness.

Kelly's mentorship extends beyond the standard mentorship session. For example, he helped me curate a transition plan that addressed aspects of my career change, from resume revamping to identifying SkillBridge opportunities. One of the traits that I truly appreciate is how Kelly's genuine kindness and compassion inform his mentorship style. He creates an environment where questions are welcomed, challenges are approached collaboratively, and achievements are celebrated. These qualities make Kelly not just an exceptional mentor, but an extraordinary person whose guidance has been nothing short of transformative in my life and career!

- Kyle K., U.S. Space Force, California

I am thrilled to nominate Paul Regan (Bloomberg) for Mentor of the Month. Paul has been an outstanding mentor, coach, and friend throughout our mentorship. His dedication and support have been invaluable in my personal and professional growth. There truly has been no match to the impact Paul has had, and there is no one more deserving of this recognition.

Paul has been an incredible resource, offering insightful guidance that has played a pivotal role in shaping my new career. Initially, I was hesitant about transitioning into a new career, feeling uncertain about where to begin. My online research only added to the confusion, as the information I found was often contradictory, making it difficult to determine what was
relevant and trustworthy. Thankfully, Paul stepped in and provided much-needed clarity. He helped me navigate through the overwhelming options. He focused my attention on the core, essential aspects of the stock market that genuinely mattered, ensuring I could move forward with confidence and purpose. We devised a monthly plan aimed at achieving my ultimate goals.

We began with a foundational theory (reading books about trading) and then progressed to opening an investment account. After that, we focused on applying our knowledge to real-world scenarios through paper trading, allowing me to gain practical experience while minimizing risk. His mentorship has gone beyond just providing career advice—he has helped me identify
key areas within the field to focus on while crafting a clear strategy for my future. His input has given me the confidence to take meaningful steps forward, and my role has evolved due to his guidance.

I am truly thankful for the opportunity to work with Paul and the support I've received
from ACP. I am excited for what the future holds as I continue to learn from this expertise.

- Ricky A, U.S. Marine Corps, Hawaii

My experience as a mentee with Dinh has been incredibly valuable. When I first approached this mentorship, I had concerns and a lack of direction regarding my career and the next steps to take. Dinh has played a pivotal role in helping me identify key areas within my field to focus on, while also crafting a clear strategy to move forward with confidence.

Over the course of my mentorship, my role at work evolved, and Dinh was there to help me navigate these changes. We had multiple calls dedicated to working through these transitions, and he consistently acted as both a guide and a cheerleader, always focused on my personal and professional success. His support and approachability have been invaluable throughout this journey.

Thanks to Dinh's mentorship, I now feel confident about the next steps in my career. I’m deeply grateful for the guidance he’s provided, and I look forward to continuing our connection and sharing updates on my progress.

- Meagan K., U.S. Army Spouse, Tennessee

Transitioning from the military to the civilian sector is no easy feat, and without Alex’s guidance, I would not have navigated it as effectively as I did. From the start, she was an incredible sounding board, helping me channel my energy in the right direction and refine my interview skills. Her ability to cut through my scatterbrained thoughts and help me focus on what truly mattered was invaluable.

Alex’s mentorship went beyond just career advice—she helped me understand how to communicate my military experience in a way that resonated with employers and admissions committees. She provided unwavering support, constructive feedback, and strategic direction that led to my acceptance into medical school and securing meaningful employment. Whether it was helping me refine my approach to networking, guiding me through tough decisions, or simply providing an encouraging push when I needed it most, Alex was always there.

Her patience, insight, and commitment to my success have had a lasting impact on my career transition. I am deeply grateful for her mentorship and proud to nominate her for this well-deserved recognition.

- Joseph B., U.S. Air Force, Louisiana

I am honored to nominate Brian for Mentor of the Month. From day one, he has been an incredible resource in my transition—both personally and professionally—within the logistics world. Despite my initial hesitation about joining a “blind” mentorship program, working with Brian quickly proved to be the perfect match. In our first conversation, he made an effort to learn about my background, family, and career goals, and ever since, he has provided unwavering guidance, insight, and support.

Brian has been instrumental not only in sharing his vast logistics expertise but also in helping me find a healthy work-life balance. He encourages me to reach out for advice, feedback, or just a sanity check when I need it. His mentorship has not only bolstered my professional network but also offered personal growth and perspective.

I am truly thankful to Brian and ACP for this opportunity. I look forward to our continued connection for years to come.

- Donovan F., U.S. Army, Alabama

Jarrod has been a phenomenal mentor for me as I transitioned out of the Air Force and moved into the defense contractor and civilian sector. He has helped me understand the civilian approach to work and mindset. He has helped me tailor my resume to be more appropriate for the civilian sector. Additionally, he has assisted me in understanding better approaches to working with civilian peers and taking on a supervisory role in my new job. We are going to continue to refine my resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile over the coming months in the hopes that I may be able to transition to a Government Civilian position in the wildlife sector in the coming years. He has been a pivotal outside contact to give me honest and candid feedback, which has been greatly appreciated. I know my time is coming to an end in a couple of months with him as my mentor, but he has made a significant impact on my success.

- Matthew P., U.S. Air Force, Florida

Who knows what to expect when signing up to be a mentee and not knowing who your mentor will be. I must say there has been no match to the impact John has had, leaving no one else who deserves to be named Mentor of the Month more than him. This mentorship came at a unique time in my career journey with unknown, difficult challenges that were ahead in the very near future for me. With John’s leadership traits, experiences, and unwavering support of my success, he has demonstrated not only a commitment to me but also my personal development to get me on a path to achieve my goals. To say John has exceeded what I anticipated from the ACP Mentor Program would be an understatement.

There was a tough time in my career at the start of this mentorship that caused my confidence to take a hit and a lot of self-doubt. John’s support of my personal development has been instrumental to my recovery. With John’s knowledge of the private sector and his encouragement, he has helped pave a path that will lead to my success.

With regular meetings and check-ins, John has always exhibited a positive attitude and openness to discuss any challenge and provided vital insight. John’s genuine enthusiasm for my success has driven me forward and keeps me accountable. Despite challenges, John has revived my confidence and professional worth as I navigate the private sector. To have a mentor like John vested in my own success is powerful and provides that extra motivation. I look forward to continuing our mentor/mentee relationship beyond the ACP program. I am forever thankful.

- Randon H., U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Connecticut

Brad has been a phenomenal mentor over the last 8 months. From the start, he promptly responded to all questions and helped shape my resume and outlook on the civilian work sector. Brad networked me with some his colleagues at NextEra and paved the way for me to have a real chance at a quality job following my Army career. His attitude and helpfulness in this mentorship has made me excited to transition to the civilian sector.

- Jeremy M., U.S. Army, North Carolina

I am thrilled to nominate Heather for the Mentor of the Month feature. 

I started working with TJ in July 2024. Throughout the ACP program, TJ has greatly helped me in my job search and application, transition from the military, and starting my new position as a business development lead at Boeing. TJ took the time to get to know me as a person, and to understand my personal and professional goals.

Throughout the job application process, TJ helped translate my military experience into terms that employers would understand on my resume and introduced me to members of his professional network to assist in my job search. He also helped me prepare for interviews by providing me with potential interview questions, and helped to structure my responses to best organize my thoughts.

As I onboarded to my first post-military position, TJ helped guide my professional interactions with my manager by emphasizing the importance of goal setting, performance measurement, and expectation management. I truly appreciate the time that TJ has put into the ACP program and the impact that he has had on my career.

- Cameron Igawa , U.S. Air Force, California

I am honored to nominate Eric for mentor of the month recognition.

From the very beginning of our program, he has been an incredible guide during my transition from the military to a career in technology. This journey has presented many challenges, but Eric's openness, honesty, and patience have made a significant difference in my learning process.

We meet monthly, and I always look forward to our conversations about my professional growth. From day one, we established a clear game plan that focused on my goals and aspirations. His support has been invaluable.

Eric also helped me revamp my resume to effectively showcase my military management experience in a civilian context. He dedicated an entire week to mock interviews, which ultimately led to my landing an amazing position in the tech field within just one month.

I am profoundly grateful for his unwavering commitment to my success in the job market. I truly couldn't have asked for a better mentor, and I hope our mentorship continues for a long time to come.

Yana I., U.S. Air Force, Texas

It is my distinct honor to nominate Brian as Mentor of the Month. As a service member

experiencing the uncertainty of transitioning to the corporate world after the military, Brian has proven to be a trusted guide who has had a profound impact on my preparedness to pursue professional endeavors after the military.

In our introductory meetings, Brian took the time to learn about my family, experience in the military and professional goals for the future. His investment of time to get to know me as an individual has allowed him to provide a uniquely personal quality to his mentorship approach.

In one particularly valuable exercise called “Career Pathing,” Brian coached me through identifying not just “what” I have accomplished over the course of my military career, as would be outlined on a resume but, rather “how” I achieved the accomplishments. Thinking in terms of skills and attributes matched with my passions and aspirations formed the rubric used to evaluate what professional opportunities to pursue. Brian and I consistently reference this foundational document in our mentorship sessions to evaluate job postings, prepare for interviews and remain aligned with personal goals.

During our time working together, Brian and I have covered issues as diverse as balancing family priorities with my spouse’s career, military to corporate skill translation, resume writing, compensation negotiation, interview preparation and the value of additional professional certifications.

Brian’s expertise and mentorship approach has allowed me to identify how my professional value translates to business. I am proud to say that our work together gave me the confidence to excel in four separate interviews, including one with the CEO and land my dream internship with a defense technology company in Silicon Valley.

Matt Sheftic., U.S. Army, Idaho

I am honored to nominate Larry for Mentor of the Month. Larry has been an exceptional mentor, providing invaluable support and guidance throughout my transition from the military to the civilian workplace.

From the beginning, Larry and I met every other week, and as our relationship grew, we transitioned to monthly meetings. These sessions have been instrumental in my professional development. Larry has been a tremendous sounding board, offering a safe space to discuss the challenges and next steps in my career journey.

Larry’s understanding of my situation, given our shared background in aviation and our current roles in Information Technology and Cloud computing, has been particularly impactful. Having gone through the same transition himself, Larry has been able to relay his experiences with job hunting and career transitions, providing me with valuable insights and practical advice.

He has provided tailored advice that has significantly strengthened my resume, offered a stellar cover letter example, and conducted mock interviews with me. His insights and feedback have been crucial in preparing me for the civilian job market.

Larry’s dedication and expertise have made a profound difference in my career transition. His mentorship has not only equipped me with the necessary tools and confidence but also provided a sense of direction and clarity.

- Phillip Benton, U.S. Coast Guard, Virginia
 
In the short time I've had the privilege to be mentored by Randi, she has made an extraordinary impact on my professional journey. From our very first meeting, Randi’s kindness and genuine belief in my skills stood out. She has consistently supported me, providing invaluable feedback and guidance as I navigate my career transition.

Before connecting with Randi, I sought out other resume writers and mentors, but none had the expertise in my field or the insight into my aspirations that I truly needed. Randi, however, has the precise background and experience I've been searching for. Her strategic advice and tailored guidance have been invaluable in refining my resume and aligning it with my career goals.

Randi's dedication to mentoring goes beyond mere encouragement. With her extensive experience and track record of success, she has been a steadfast guide through every stage of my job search. Despite her demanding role as an executive, Randi has always made time to ensure I feel confident and prepared for the next steps in my career.

One of the most significant aspects of Randi’s mentorship is her commitment to my success. She doesn’t just offer advice, she actively helps me achieve my goals. Whether it’s reviewing my job applications or helping me prepare for interviews, Randi has been instrumental in every aspect of my career transition. Her belief in me has been a powerful motivator, and I am incredibly grateful for her guidance.

Randi’s mentorship has not only enhanced my professional skills but also instilled in me a renewed sense of confidence. Her support has been a game-changer in my career transition and finding a job, and I look forward to continuing our mentor-mentee relationship well beyond the formal program.

- Andrew Sanchez, U.S. Army, Washington D.C.

Tom has been an extraordinary mentor and coach, far exceeding my expectations. From the very start, his unwavering support for my goals and ambitions has been nothing short of incredible. Together, we've dedicated ourselves to fine-tuning my resume to match my career objectives. Despite the tough challenge of translating my military experience into the finance sector, Tom has been a steadfast guide throughout the entire process.

We regularly meet to review my progress, and he's currently setting up mock interviews to further refine my skills. Despite his busy schedule and remarkable success as an executive, Tom interacts with me with an exceptional level of humility and down-to-earth sincerity. His genuine commitment to my success and his ability to bolster my confidence during this transition has been invaluable.

Without Tom's guidance and support, navigating this pivotal moment in my life would have been far more daunting. I am immensely grateful for his mentorship and hope that our bond will continue well beyond the formal end of our mentor-mentee relationship."

- Todd S., U.S. Air Force, Georgia 
 

Since our very first meeting, Tashia and I immediately connected. From day one, she has been incredibly supportive and approachable, always taking the time to listen to my fears and concerns about my career. What I appreciate most about Tashia is that she never downplayed my concerns or made me feel insignificant, no matter how trivial they might have seemed.

Despite not having a PMP certification or direct project management experience, Tashia’s dedication to mentoring is evident in her willingness to research, reach out to colleagues for specific advice, and guide me to the best of her ability. This level of commitment shows her genuine care for my growth and success.

From day one, Tashia has provided invaluable guidance even when I’ve been a bit stubborn. She consistently encourages me to improve and become the best version of myself. One of the most impactful moments of her mentorship was when she encouraged me to study for the CAPM exam - a challenge that terrified me. Thanks to her unwavering support, I now have a scheduled exam date (this month).

When I first met Tashia, I had a plan but needed encouragement and guidance to bring it to life. After being out of work for two years, the prospect of applying to positions was daunting. Yet, Tashia’s faith in my abilities never wavered. Less than 1.5 months after I met her, I received a job offer! Tashia was instrumental in helping me navigate the negotiations and pinpoint exactly what I wanted from an employer.

Tashia has made a significant impact on my life, and I am incredibly grateful for her mentorship. Her dedication and the connection we share have been truly transformative, and I am thankful to ACP for bringing us together."

- Tara C., U.S. Air Force Spouse, Missouri 

Wow! Where do I even begin?! First I’ll start by saying, when I signed up to be a mentee with ACP, I had no idea the type of mentor I’d be assigned. I didn’t have any doubts, as I’ve heard nothing but great things about the program; however, there was still a bit of natural apprehension. After getting to know my mentor, Doug Schutz, I can now say, he’s far more than I expected!

Guiding and supporting my personal and professional goals is the result of Doug’s phenomenal mentorship. He’s created a safe and supportive environment where I’m able to explore my strengths and weaknesses. We’ve collaborated to develop concrete plans for achieving my future goals, once I depart the federal government, and enter an entirely different work force (within the next few years).

I’m the proactive, not reactive type (whenever possible), so Doug’s mentorship has certainly equipped me for corporate America; particularly with so many differences between corporate vs federal.

Being a federal government employee, I’ve never even had a 2-pager (resume). At least one I’ve been confident in using; however, after Doug’s guidance on reducing my very lengthy federal resume down to an unbelievable two pages, I want to apply any and everywhere using the finished product!

Doug is the epitome of precisely what a mentor should be, bar none! Motivation, positivity, enthusiasm, relevant experience (that aligns with my goals), honesty, and integrity (just to name a few), are all traits Doug possesses. Even after my 12 months concludes with ACP’s mentorship program, I know Doug and I will remain in contact, and maintain our mentor/mentee relationship. He’s always willing to assist readily when needed, and because of his character and commitment to helping others, I’m confident that won’t ever change.”

- Jennifer W., U.S. Air Force, South Carolina
 

Kathy is a phenomenal mentor, connector of people, and human being! Kathy embodies all the attributes of an excellent mentor. She listens attentively, is approachable, and creates a safe space where I feel free to discuss things that concern me. Kathy is rich in information and does not hesitate to share her knowledge, contacts, and resources. Despite her busy schedule and demanding job, she is committed to meeting with me regularly and makes herself available between scheduled meetings as needed. As a military spouse in transition, Kathy has been a great source of support and encouragement. Kathy is without a doubt one of the best mentors I have had during my professional career that has spanned over 25 years and is just what I needed in this season of life."

- Angela W., U.S. Army Military Spouse, Virginia