Project Transition USA Group Celebrates It’s 3,000th Member, Don Mann, Former Navy SEAL Team 6 Instructor

Posted on February 1, 2016 Written by Nancy Leave a Comment

Project Transition USA Welcomes Our 3,000th LinkedIN Group Member, Don Mann, Former Navy SEAL Team SIX Commando!

It’s exciting to reach our 3,000 member milestone, and we are grateful to Anthony Almon, Retired Navy SEAL Commander, for inviting his long-time friend Don Mann to join our group.

Don’s military biography includes being a decorated combat veteran and SEAL Team 6 Instructor, as well as many other credentials. He is the author of 11 books including the NY Times Best Selling autobiography “Inside SEAL Team SIX: My Life and Missions with America’s Elite Warriors”.

Also an endurance athlete, Don is known for producing and directing more multi-day, multi-sport, adventure races, triathlons and SEAL training events than any other person in the world. This April he will climb Mt. Everest to realize his life-time goal and “to raise awareness for the sacrifices that our veterans endure”.

His 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Frogman Charities, conducts virtual run/walk events for organizations seeking to support its mission of raising $1M for nonprofits that support U.S. Navy SEAL veterans, military personnel and their families. Evander Holyfield chose to celebrate his recent 53rd birthday by completing a 5K with Don in support of this mission.

We are delighted and honored to welcome Don Mann as the 3,000th member of our group, and we are grateful to ALL our members for being a part of this life-changing community. Please join us and give Don a hearty, “Project Transition USA-style” welcome!

ABOUT PROJECT TRANSITION USA:

Project Transition USA is the only 501c3 nonprofit that specializes in teaching transitioning U.S. military veterans and their families how to fully utilize the powerful business networking site, LinkedIN.

We are best known for teaching inspiring & entertaining LinkedIN Job Search Workshops for troops, providing personal introductions to VIPs, and managing the highly-popular “Project Transition USA” group on LinkedIN which is frequented by military-friendly hiring managers and business celebrities from all walks of life.

We invite you to show your support for our troops by joining our group today!

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Introducing our Project Transition USA YouTube Channel for Transitioning Military Veterans

Posted on April 30, 2015 Written by Nancy Leave a Comment

We’ve created our new YouTube Channel especially for transitioning military veterans seeking meaningful and rewarding new careers!

And here’s a Quick Start Guide to help you find the videos you need most right NOW:

* Want to learn how to build solid professional relationships with people “on the inside” who can help you get hired fast? Click HERE

* Need to polish your Interview Skills? Click HERE

* To learn if your Resume’ is hurting or helping you, click HERE

* Click HERE to listen & learn from military-friendly business execs who CARE!

(We’ll be adding new videos often, so check back soon!)

ENJOY!

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Pane Rustica Sponsors Jan. 2015 LinkedIN Workshop for Transitioning Military on MacDill AFB

Posted on January 28, 2015 Written by Nancy Leave a Comment

Thank you to all who participated in our January LinkedIN Job Search Workshop on MacDill AFB!

We are sending out a HUGE thank you to our Workshop Sponsor, Kevin Kruszewski, owner of the awesome Pane Rustica Bakery & Cafe in South Tampa.

Kevin is an Honorary Commander of MacDill AFB, and he personally delivered the most incredible gourmet feast we have ever experienced!

(To say it was highly appreciated by the transitioning troops in attendance would be an understatement! Everyone was RAVING about it, and Pane Rustica will be seeing more of us very soon!)

Special thanks also goes out to our guest speaker, Scott DeThomas, former CEO and Wing Commander of MacDill AFB, who shared his personal experience of transitioning just months ago after 30+ years of service in the Air Force.

Scott is now a Sr. VP with GTE Financial, a leading credit union in Tampa, and this was his second speaking appearance with us in the past few months.

We are also grateful to Darrell Wade, Senior Law Office Manager/Paralegal from U.S. Special Operations Command, who made a guest appearance to speak to us about his continuing transition experience after attending our LinkedIN Workshop last October.

Darrell has been receiving many attractive job offers, and most of these potential employers found him on LinkedIN!

And finally, a sincere thanks to our wonderful volunteers, Paula Hochman, Tony Michaelides, Pete Blum, and Robyn Mussler. All our lives are so much richer because of people who CARE like you!

Bright House Networks Sponsors LinkedIN Job Search Workshop on MacDill AFB

Posted on December 15, 2014 Written by Nancy Leave a Comment

Bright House Networks has become a sponsor of our LinkedIN Job Search Workshop on MacDill AFB!

Why teach LinkedIN to transitioning troops on U.S. military bases?

Because LinkedIN.com is the #1 hiring tool for recruiters & business owners in the civilian world – and it is virtually unknown to military personnel and veterans!

Project Transition USA is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit that specializes in teaching transitioning U.S. military veterans and their families how to fully utilize the powerful business networking site LinkedIN, and we are pleased to announce our new LinkedIN Job Search Workshop Sponsor.

Bright House Networks sponsored our November 2014 LinkedIN Job Search Workshop on MacDill Air Force Base, home of U.S. Central Command.

The sixth largest owner and operator of cable systems in the U.S. and the second largest in Florida, Bright House Networks also owns and operates two 24-hour local news TV stations: Central Florida News 13 in the Orlando area and Bay News 9 for the Tampa Bay area.

Bright House Networks’ Director of Talent Acquisition, Molly McKinley, and their Diversity Manager, Brittany Harris, were active participants in the full-day workshop taught by facilitator Nancy Laine, an Army Chaplain’s daughter and the co-founder of Project Transition USA

Molly McKinley has interviewed countless job candidates over the years and her current responsibilities include managing 17 recruiters. In a mock interview created especially for the transitioning military personnel attending the workshop, Molly artfully assumed the role of “interviewer”, while Brittany Harris expertly played the part of a highly-qualified and well-prepared applicant.

It’s no wonder Brittany was so convincing in her role — this training exercise was, in fact, a fairly close reenactment of the interview that had secured her the management position she currently holds!

Reflecting on her experience in the LinkedIN Workshop that day, Brittany later remarked, “The efforts of Nancy Laine and the Project Transition USA team are admirable, and their passion to serve those who have served our country is contagious.”

She added with a smile, “I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share space with the men and women at MacDill AFB and the Project Transition USA team. I am honored to have been included in such a great mission and look forward to participating again in the future.”

The video of Molly and Brittany’s mock interview can be found on Project Transition USA’s new YouTube Channel: http://youtu.be/ivL2AZEX7qQ

The next LinkedIN Job Search Workshop on MacDill AFB is scheduled for Friday, January 23^rd, 2015 and is open exclusively to transitioning military personnel & dependents who are enrolled in MacDill’s TAP program.

To learn about future sponsorship opportunities with Project Transition USA LinkedIN Job Search Workshops on MacDill AFB and beyond, contact Nancy Laine at 727-415-3878.

ABOUT PROJECT TRANSITION USA:

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Project Transition USA has been teaching free LinkedIN Job Search Workshops on MacDill Air Force Base (Tampa, FL) and other locations since Nov. 2012 at the request of retired senior military officers who were in dire need of support.

In addition to their workshops, they also provide personal introductions to military hiring managers and military-friendly civilians through their popular “Project Transition USA” group on LinkedIN: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Project-Transition-USA-4842096/about

Many workshop attendees and group participants have already been offered top-level positions throughout the U.S., and all of this has been accomplished with little to no operating budget.

Project Transition USA’s goal is to expand these workshops to every U.S. military base nationwide. Visit their testimonial page to learn what transitioning military troops and community leaders are saying about this project: www.projecttransitionusa.com/testimonials/

Scott DeThomas, Former Commander of MacDill AFB, Spoke to Transitioning Troops at our October LinkedIN Workshop!

Posted on November 2, 2014 Written by Nancy Leave a Comment

It was an honor and a privilege to introduce retired Colonel Scott DeThomas, former Senior Wing Commander and CEO of MacDill Air Force Base, as our Special Guest Speaker at our Oct. 31st LinkedIN Job Search Workshop for transitioning troops and their families on MacDill.

After retiring only two months ago from his 32 year career in the U.S. Air Force (23 of those years as a pilot), Scott DeThomas graciously shared some very personal stories of his own transition experience while the troops and community guests in attendance listened attentively.

Many of the active duty personnel will be following in his footsteps within months, and some within a few short weeks.

Scott freely admitted to his audience that when he retired he was not at all clear about what he “wanted to do when (he) grew up”, and had found it quite helpful to hire a career coach and complete a career aptitude test. When “Banking” turned up on the Top 3 List of suggested careers, he was actually a bit surprised until he remembered that he had always been quite interested in financial investing.

Scott credits his natural ability to network, his Masters Certificate in Lean Six Sigma, and a bit of sheer “luck”, as significant aides on his path to success in the civilian world. Just two short months after leaving the service, he became the Sr. VP of Products & Member Sales for GTE Financial, one of Florida’s largest credit unions.

ABOUT PROJECT TRANSITION USA:

In addition to their workshops, they also provide personal introductions to corporate military hiring managers and military-friendly civilians through their popular “Project Transition USA” group on LinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/Project-Transition-USA-4842096/about

Many workshop attendees and group participants have already been offered top-level positions throughout the U.S., and all of this has been accomplished with little to no operating budget.

Project Transition USA’s goal is to expand these workshops to every U.S. military base nationwide as soon as possible. The need is urgent and the timing is critical. Visit their website to learn what transitioning military troops and community leaders are saying about this project: www.projecttransitionusa.com/testimonials/

Cappy Surette, Walt Disney World’s Senior Manager of Executive Communications, was our Guest Speaker at our LinkedIN Job Search Workshop in Sept. on MacDill AFB!

Posted on September 30, 2014 Written by Nancy Leave a Comment

We are very happy to announce that Cappy Surette, Walt Disney World’s Senior Manager of Executive Communications, was our Special Guest Speaker at our Project Transition USA LinkedIN Job Search Workshop on September 19th at MacDill AFB in Tampa!

A retired U.S. Navy Captain, Cappy spoke to our audience of transitioning military veterans about some of his amazing experiences during his successful 22+ year military career, as well as his own journey into civilian life after retiring from the service two years ago.

At one time Cappy was the Hollywood Liaison for the U.S. Navy Office of Information in L.A. (working directly with celebrities such as Celine Dion and the Goo Goo Dolls), and later held multiple Media Relations & Public Affairs positions at the Pentagon.

Cappy was hired by Disney in 2012 as part of their ongoing “Heroes Work Here” initiative to promote the hiring of U.S. veterans nationwide.

Watch this video to learn more: http://www.clickorlando.com/disney-helps-veterans-get-new-careers/22329408

ABOUT PROJECT TRANSITION USA:

Many workshop attendees and group participants have already been offered top-level positions throughout the U.S., and all of this has been accomplished with little to no operating budget.

Getting LinkedIN with the Tampa Bay Area Chapter of MPI (Meeting Professionals International)

Posted on September 12, 2014 Written by Nancy Leave a Comment

I had the great honor of presenting a LinkedIN Workshop for the Tampa Bay Area Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) on Sept. 10, 2014.

The Meeting & Event Industry contributes $122.3 BILLION in revenue to the Tampa Bay area alone, and MPI is their largest global community with more than 21,000 members belonging to 71 chapters & clubs worldwide.

Our workshop was held in the computer lab of Nova Southeastern University’s Tampa campus, and the topic was “Getting LinkedIN with Nancy Laine”.

Our Presentation Objectives included:

• Learn how to use LinkedIN the RIGHT way.
• How to get your profile ranked high and connect with highly influential people.
• How to add powerpoints & videos to your profile for the purpose of marketing yourself and your business.
• Learn how Nancy uses LinkedIN to help people find jobs.

This educational session marked the beginning of a wonderful new relationship between MPI and our 501c3 nonprofit, Project Transition USA, which was created to teach transitioning military personnel and their families how to use LinkedIN to find meaningful & rewarding new careers.

Many MPI members have since joined our Project Transition USA group on LinkedIN, and all of our members who may be interested in pursuing Hospitality careers are invited to join MPI’s LinkedIN group, attend their monthly luncheons in Tampa, and join their association.

The president of MPI Tampa Bay, Jim Engelmann, will be speaking at our upcoming LinkedIN Job Search Workshop for transitioning troops and their families on MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa on Oct. 31st, and many MPI members will be attending as well.

To learn more about the MPI Tampa Bay Area Chapter, click here.

James Howard Sponsors LinkedIN Job Search Workshop on MacDill Air Force Base

Posted on September 10, 2014 Written by Nancy Leave a Comment

Why teach LinkedIN to transitioning troops on U.S. military bases? Because LinkedIN.com is the #1 hiring tool for recruiters & business owners in the civilian world – and it is virtually unknown to military personnel and veterans!

Tampa, FL — Project Transition USA, the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit that specializes in teaching transitioning U.S. military veterans and their families how to fully utilize the powerful business networking site LinkedIN, is pleased to announce their new LinkedIN Job Search Workshop Sponsor.

James Howard, Publisher of Creative Loafing Tampa, chose to personally sponsor their August 2014 LinkedIN Job Search Workshop on MacDill Air Force Base, home of U.S. Central Command.

James has served on the staff of Creative Loafing Tampa, Tampa Bay’s weekly arts and entertainment publication, for close to 20 years and assumed the role of Publisher in 2010.

Creative Loafing is the third largest newspaper in the Tampa Bay area, and in addition to a comprehensive listing of local happenings (from gallery openings to sporting events), they offer the most respected and authoritative critics on the subjects of food, film, theater and music.

When asked his reasons for becoming a LinkedIN Job Search Workshop Sponsor, James replied, “Linkedin has become the #1 platform for employers and career candidates to connect online today – it makes perfect sense to teach our transitioning military and their families how to use it!”

Continuing with a smile, James added, “I have a success story of my own to share. I recently hired three great new employees, and I found them ALL on Linkedin!”

Reflecting on the experience of sponsoring the workshop taught by facilitator Nancy Laine, an Army Chaplain’s daughter and the co-founder of Project Transition USA, James remarked, “I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to help our troops on MacDill Air Force Base by sponsoring such a worthy cause, and I greatly appreciate the new connections I’ve made in the process!”

The next LinkedIN Job Search Workshop on MacDill AFB is scheduled for Friday, October 31st and is open exclusively to transitioning military personnel & dependents who are enrolled in MacDill’s TAP program. To learn about future sponsorship opportunities with Project Transition USA LinkedIN Job Search Workshops on MacDill AFB and beyond, contact Nancy Laine at 727-415-3878.