In the beginning, Mitch wanted to take the time for a very thorough personal evaluation. I had gone through the outplacement process before and knew about 360° assessments, Myers-Briggs, and polishing resumes. I knew who I was and what I wanted to do, and it was hard to be patient. As their client, you want to go fast. The process feels like it is slowing you down, but it is not. The details are very necessary in refashioning and updating your personal value proposition.

Linda is an accomplished Development and Public Relations Executive with long experience in fundraising/communications in the human services field.  Armed with newly honed networking skills, Linda landed as a Director of Campaign Operations for non-profit Bancroft in Haddonfield, NJ.

How did you come to Kelleher Associates for your recent transition?
I came to Kelleher for outplacement services as part of a severance package from my former employer.

What did you learn about the importance of networking through your work with Kelleher Associates?
My counselor, Dick Hartzell was the first to encourage me to develop and use networking skills.  Before we even met he urged me to get started by making a list of friends and colleagues to contact.  We later formulated an effective elevator speech I could deliver with poise.

Donald Trexler, an experienced professional in the insurance industry, recently experienced a rapid transition in his career.  In July, Donald took on his new role as Claims Manager for Dearborn National, and relocated to the Dallas area.

Why did you choose Kelleher Associates for your recent transition?

When my position at Penn Mutual was eliminated, part of my separation package was outplacement services.  I’ve had previous experiences with outplacement firms, but working with Kelleher was completely different.  The entire process took two months to the day I started working with Kelleher, a very quick turnaround. 

Can you share some of the process you went through with Kelleher?

An opportunity opened up quickly for me, so my coach, Sandra Ford, took a non-traditional process.  First, Sandra helped me prepare for my telephone and face-to-face interviews and updated my resume, then we worked on ways to tell my story.  Things moved quickly for me right from the start, and Sandra helped me focus on the tasks at hand, remaining positive.  Because I had some strict personal timetables, I became anxious at times.  Sandra helped me keep things in perspective, ensuring that I did not get off task.  She always took the time either with a timely phone call or an e-mail or a face-to-face meeting.

John King is a sales and marketing executive with proven successes across a wide range of industries.  In early July, John took on his new role as group leader for the loyalty and motivation business unit of Maritz, which specializes in incentive programs for Fortune 500 companies.

How did you first meet Ed Kelleher and Kelleher Associates?

I found out about Ed Kelleher from a childhood friend who is the CEO of a pharmaceutical company.  We were having lunch, and I was discussing the situation at my then-employer, and my friend recommended I get in touch with Ed.  I did a little research, found out about the coaching aspects of Kelleher Associates, and met Ed for the first time while I was still employed.  He and I hit it off, and he told me to “do what you need to do, I’ll see you soon.”  When I was still with my earlier employer, I had seen some inconsistencies at the firm that concerned me.  Soon enough, I was working with Ed, started in early 2009 and really got into it last summer. 

What was the driving force behind your decision to work with Kelleher?

First of all, they are good people and look at you as a friend.  They are all knowledgeable about the marketplace and experienced with many industries.  I didn’t have any outplacement from my previous employer; I invested my own money, and found it was very well spent.  What’s really special about them is that they are “sharpshooters,” in that they could help me look at my past but also identify what I want to do in my future.   Over the last year, so much has changed.  I hired Ed to help me develop a lifelong network, meet new people, reconnect with old friends, really building it up from scratch.  He helped me assess my skills, talents and desires.  I had thought about sports marketing or working with a non-profit, but I had never had the chance to look before.  The driving force is preparation for the rest of my professional life. I worked with Ed one-on-one at least once a week working on tightening up my resume and cover letters, finding right jobs to go after, networking, working with other members of the Kelleher team.  I went into the office several days each week to remain consistent with my past routine, and it helped me realize that I was now the product of my efforts.

Being a successful HR executive in both Fortune 1000 and non-profits, Nancy sought a position with an organization whose mission aligns with hers.  In her new role of Director of Human Resources at JFCS, she has achieved that goal.

Can you describe your prior career background?

For 12 years I worked as a Human Resources Leader for Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co. As the Vice President of Human Resources, I led a team of HR generalists responsible for organizational and leadership development, performance management, talent acquisition, employee relations, and compensation, as well as partnered with leaders to move the culture of Penn Mutual to a new level. Prior to that, I worked for the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, where I re-designed the Human Resources department from a specialist model to an HR business partner model to better support clinical and business areas.

Why and how did you begin to work with Kelleher Associates?

I was familiar with Kelleher Associates because, as an HR professional, I was the person who retained outplacement service companies on behalf of my employer.  When the HR department I worked in was severely downsized – and my entire team eliminated – Ed Kelleher and his team at Kelleher Associates were there for me.

Mike Romano has worked as a general manager as well as a vice president of finance and administration for a global medical publishing company. He recently joined a local tax and accounting firm as an equity partner with the right to purchase the firm over the next few years.

How did you learn about Kelleher Associates?

I was introduced to Mitch Wienick, President and CEO of Kelleher Associates, by my father.  They had originally connected at a networking event.

Why did you choose Kelleher Associates for your Career Transition services?

I first met Mitch about two years before leaving my prior position.  We began to build a networking relationship, and Mitch counseled me through some scenario planning.  When I was laid off from that position, I decided to work with Mitch and his team.

What Kelleher services proved to be especially valuable during your search?

I found the most significant value in my one-on-one coaching and professional development sessions with Mitch.  He helped me through every aspect of the search process – from updating my resume and teaching me the importance of networking – to coaching me through interview preparation and follow-up. From start to finish, Mitch served as an indispensable guide.

Rich Neil is a successful operations executive who was seeking a leadership role in an organization that requires excellence in customer care, vendor management, and process control and efficiency.  As a result of networking and innovative thinking, Rich landed his ideal position as Director, Operations Support at Field Diagnostics Systems, Inc.

Can you describe your prior career background?

While I have spent the majority of my career in the telecommunications industry, I have held diverse positions in manufacturing, software engineering, quality and customer support.  Throughout the years, I have become a versatile operating executive adept at reducing cost, increasing profit and managing risk.  

Fred Rackovan landed an “ideal” opportunity….company culture, location, role.  We spoke with him shortly after he joined Valley Forge Financial Group as COO.

How did you find your new position, and what brought the opportunity all together for you?

I found my new position through social media – specifically LinkedIn.  While I had utilized LinkedIn in the past, the counselors at Kelleher Associates were the first to educate me about its job search functionality.  This is important, as many of the open positions posted on the site are not advertised anywhere else.

What was provided by Kelleher Associates that added value to you in your search?

First and foremost, I’d say the counselors at Kelleher Associates got me to focus on my new “job” – which was finding a job.  All the service and counsel they provided continually reinforced that primary mission.  Secondly, the Kelleher Associates office gave me a place to go to work.  While this may sound insignificant, it most definitely was not.  I found my job search to be most productive when physically present at the main office – interacting with counselors, making use of reference guides and talking with other clients.  Finally, it was very reassuring knowing that Ed Kelleher, my counselor, was available to talk with me anytime, about any career matter that crossed my mind. 

Mike had recently been VP of HR, Client Services for QVC, responsible for a team of 140+ at 9 US sites.  He has accepted the position of SVP, HR, North America for Henkel, a global consumer products company with global headquarters in Germany.

Name three things provided by Kelleher Associates that added value to you in your search.

Over the years, I have developed a very good network with search firms and HR professionals in the Philadelphia region. However, Kelleher Associates was able to expand my network even further, including connecting me with high-level executives such as CEOs and COOs. I had the opportunity to meet corporate leaders who knew the region, as well as a variety of industries, and these meetings helped open my mind to new possibilities and career options.

Secondly, everyone at Kelleher Associates was very accommodating and gracious about assisting me in any way possible. I would stop into the office at least once a week, and the firm would often let me use an empty office to make calls and get some work done, at the same time, giving me the opportunity to change it up a bit from my home office and maintain my focus. 

Bob Kempf had been Business Manager for the Kutztown University Foundation since 1995, responsible for all business operations and financial reporting.  He networked into a similar role at Turning Point in the Lehigh Valley. 

Name three things provided by Kelleher Associates that added value to you in your search.

First and foremost, Kelleher Associates gave me the opportunity to network at monthly, company-sponsored ExecuNet meetings.  These were a great asset because they gave me the opportunity to talk with other professionals who were also in transition. From the very first day, Kelleher Associates’ counselors emphasized that I would likely find my next job though networking – and they were right.

Second, Kelleher Associates gave me psychological support.  It’s never easy to sever a working relationship, and employers rarely handle the process well.  But my counselor, Ellen Mallin, helped me work through this difficult time, reassuring me that I was not alone in my experience.  She reminded me that I needed to put my lay-off completely behind me in order to move forward to my next career opportunity.