Congratulations to USAF Col. (Ret) Glenn Nielsen for winning a 2017 HEROES AT WORK AWARD!

Posted on June 27, 2017 Written by Nancy Leave a Comment

Glenn Nielsen, our treasured volunteer photographer, is being honored with a 2017 HEROES AT WORK AWARD by the Tampa Bay Business Journal!

The Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Heroes at Work award recognizes Tampa Bay veterans who, through their professional and personal efforts, are making a positive impact throughout the community.

USAF Col. (Ret) Glenn Nielsen is a decorated combat pilot who has been volunteering his time and expertise as a profile headshot photographer at our LinkedIN Workshops for transitioning servicemembers and their families on MacDill AFB for over a year now.

Glenn is one of the most talented, multi-faceted individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. “Creative” would be an understatement….every month he magically transforms a military supply closet into a portrait studio(!) — and the quality of photos he produces under these circumstances is beyond amazing.

He is an absolute lifesaver to our transitioning military attendees since a professional profile photo is often critical to their future career success. In the past year alone, he has positively changed the lives of HUNDREDS of his fellow veterans!

In his professional life, Glenn is a sought-after Tampa Bay portrait photographer. He’s a Godsend to families seeking a keepsake family portrait, as well as expectant mothers and families with newborn babies or developing children.

Glenn simply loves PEOPLE (even little people!), and there’s nothing that gives him greater pleasure than capturing the look of love between a parent and their child.

Our heartiest congratulations go out to Glenn Nielsen for receiving this prestigious award in recognition of his excellence and extreme generosity!!

To join us in expressing gratitude for Glenn’s selfless support for our transitioning U.S. military, please visit his profile on LinkedIN: linkedin.com/in/glenn-nielsen

#TBBJHeroes

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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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:

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

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Kim Tran of Symphony Becomes Inaugural Sponsor of New “Job Shadowing” Program For Veterans

Posted on October 8, 2015 Written by Nancy Leave a Comment

Project Transition USA is preparing to launch another very exciting project, Bring A Hero To Work, a “job shadowing” program for transitioning veterans.

And we are very happy to announce that Kim Tran, Chief Officer of IT, People & Ops at Symphony (a workflow productivity company) and a loyal member of Project Transition USA’s Advisory Board, has recently become our Inaugural Sponsor.

This new initiative is expected to change countless lives for the better, giving our transitioning military and veterans a chance to get to know fellow veterans inside local companies they are potentially interested in working with.

Our pilot project will be in our hometown of Tampa Bay, and we’ll be playing “Matchmaker” — aided by the powerful business networking site, LinkedIN.

We intend to scale this program year-round and nationwide as soon as possible. And as far as we know, this has never been done before. So once again, we get to play the happy role of PIONEERS! 🙂

Our list of “Corporate Hosts” is growing fast. Several military-friendly companies in Tampa Bay have already volunteered their support (including PricewaterhouseCoopers, First Command, and ReliaQuest), and we are actively seeking others who may be interested in participating.

Although this program is designed to be an educational networking experience for veterans and their families, and not directly for recruiting purposes, we believe there is a very good chance it will reduce recruitment costs (and turnover!) for our corporate participants in the long run.

At this time there is NO COST for veterans or corporate hosts to participate. However, sponsorship opportunities are available for those who would like to help us cover our expenses and partner with us to scale this initiative year-round and nationwide.

Contact Nancy Laine at 727-415-3878 or nancy@ProjectTransitionUSA.org for more information.

Join us in welcoming Pete Blum, our new Project Transition USA LinkedIN Group Co-Manager!

Posted on July 6, 2015 Written by Nancy Leave a Comment

I’m very excited to announce that former U.S. Marine, Pete Blum, has joined our Project Transition USA LinkedIN Group Management Team!

As we approach the 2,500 member milestone, we are extremely grateful to Pete Blum for volunteering his time and talents in support of our group members’ success in the civilian career world.

Pete is a Tampa Bay resident, a member of our Project Transition USA Advisory Board, and the very embodiment of a Servant Leader. He brings 20 years of experience as an Information Technology Executive and Technology Trainer, and a passion for helping others that has deepened as a result of personally experiencing the challenges many (if not most) transitioning military personnel endure.

In his professional role of Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Solvability, Inc. in Tampa, FL, Pete’s focus is on training & technology solutions for small businesses.

As a new member of our Project Transition USA group’s leadership team, Pete will be supporting transitioning U.S. military veterans worldwide who are seeking their “next mission” — a meaningful and rewarding civilian career.

Pete recently shared, “I’ve been a member of LinkedIN since 2007 and I have seen what connecting to the right people can do. The job I have now is due to a LinkedIN connection I met in this (Project Transition USA) group!”

He added, “Being a part of Project Transition USA and this group in order to help transitioning military is a huge thing to me! I’m honored to be on the team!”

Thanks in advance to all our members for extending a hearty welcome to our new group co-manager, Pete Blum, by adding your comment HERE.

Interested in learning more about Project Transition USA and our LinkedIN group? We invite you to click on this link to JOIN NOW!

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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/

Tampa Bay Business Journal (TBBJ) Hosts Roundtable Discussion in Support of Veterans

Posted on October 21, 2014 Written by Nancy 1 Comment

A very special thanks to the Tampa Bay Business Journal (TBBJ) for recently hosting a luncheon and roundtable discussion for a select group of Tampa Bay area veterans & military-friendly community leaders!

Our fellow Project Transition USA group member, Alexis Muellner, is the Editor of TBBJ, and he led our discussion, assisted by Deputy Editor Chris Wilkerson, and Publisher Bridgette Bello.

The main purpose of the event as I saw it was to gather information that might be helpful in coming to the aid of transitioning active duty military, as well as unemployed veterans in our area and beyond.

I had the great honor of participating along with our Project Transition USA group members Paul Huszar (President, VetCor Water Mitigation Services) and Edward Spenceley (Sr. VP, Bank of America).

And very happily, as a result of this meeting, we now have the pleasure of welcoming two new veterans to our LinkedIN group – Jerry Custin (President/CEO, Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce) and Lonnie Ledford (Project Manager, Avatel Technologies).

A few of the other participants included Tom Mackiewicz (Dir. of Site Management, USAA), Mark Swanson (Vice President, Bright House Networks), Connie Lindsay (Founder, Liberty Manor for Veterans), and Larry Braue (Dir. of Veterans Services, USF).

Lonnie Ledford has published a wonderful account of this event in his blog, and I want to share it with you here (click this link).

Hello Tampa Bay! If you’re in transition (or will be soon), join us on Oct. 21st!

Posted on October 1, 2014 Written by Nancy Leave a Comment

Project Transition USA is proud to be an official Promoting Partner of the Tampa Bay Encore Town Hall Event, and we’ll be at the beautiful Feather Sound Country Club from 4-7pm on Thursday. October 21^st.

If you are in transition (or will be soon), I suggest you move heaven and earth to join us!

Here are 3 reasons you will be very glad you came:

1) You will be meeting some of Tampa Bay’s top business leaders who are seeking experienced, highly skilled adults in search of opportunities that will allow them to express their GIFTS and TALENTS, while earning a great living and making a difference that counts!

This event is hosted by the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. (Check out their website!)

2) We will be getting to know each other while enjoying the ambiance of the Feather Sound Country Club, one of the Top 5 Private Clubs in Tampa Bay. It’s just a 21 minute drive from MacDill AFB — and it is GORGEOUS!

3) This will go down in history as the FIRST EVENT Project Transition USA has co-promoted in Tampa Bay! Trust me, your life will change for the better after meeting these people! Both personally AND professionally!

Click on this link below to REGISTER NOW (and be sure to mention Project Transition USA referred you!):

http://encoretampabay.com/tampa-bay-encore-town-hall/

This is going to be an AMAZING experience.

We’re looking forward to meeting all of you there!