Testimonies from 40Plus Alumni

Dennis Cherne, President 40Plus of Southeastern Wisconsin

Welcome. Good evening, everyone.

It’s truly wonderful to see this room filled with friends, partners, guests, members, and supporters as we celebrate a remarkable milestone — Fifty Years of 40Plus of Southeastern Wisconsin. Fifty years of people helping people. Fifty years of careers rebuilt and confidence restored. Fifty years of proving that experience is not something to hide — it’s something to stand on.

When 40Plus began back in the 1970s, the world of work looked very different. But even then, one truth was clear: people need support, people need community, and people need a place where they can rediscover their purpose. And that’s exactly what 40Plus has been for half a century. Over the years, we’ve seen thousands of stories — stories that remind us why this organization matters. We have seen new and lasting friendships nourished.

*     I think of the member who came to us after 28 years with the same company, feeling invisible and unsure of her next step. Week after week, she rebuilt her confidence, learned new tools, and eventually stepped into a role where she now mentors others. She still says, “40Plus didn’t just help me find a job — it helped me find myself again.

*     I think of the gentleman whose industry collapsed almost overnight, leaving him convinced he had nothing left to offer. But through coaching, practice, and a room full of people who believed in him before he believed in himself, he discovered a new path. Today, he’s thriving in a completely different field — and he returns often to encourage new members.

*     And I think of the countless quiet victories — the first interview after months of searching, the first “yes” after a long string of “no’s,” the moment someone realizes they’re not alone. The memories of this room filled to standing room. The names of large companies represented by their members out of work.

These stories are the milestones that matter most.

Today, we reminisce about the individuals whose leaderships built the foundation for the 40Plus. Bill Needler: Bill brought structure, consistency and high energy to our weekly programs. He helped formalize the curriculum that became the backbone of our member experience — clear, supportive, and repeatable. Ron Mulvaney: Ron strengthened our coaching culture. His gift was helping people, by making them laugh see possibilities they couldn’t yet see in themselves. His influence shaped the supportive, member-centered environment we’re known for. Ron Mellencamp: Ron expanded our reach. Through outreach and partnership, he connected 40Plus with employers and community organizations, opening doors for countless members and raising our visibility across Southeastern Wisconsin. Their dedication, vision, and generosity still echo through everything we do.

Our mission continues today because of the leaders who carry it forward. Please join me in recognizing the current 40Plus of Southeastern Wisconsin board and planning committee and mentors:

*     Board: Robert Bachman, Amy Whittenberger, Jim Daugherty, Andy Schmitz

*     Planning Committee: Tom Dillemuth, Arnot Heron, Dave Koskinen, Ellie Mixter-Keller,

*     Facilitator: Peter Beck  and Advisor: Michael Mallwitz

Your leadership, your time, and your commitment ensure that 40Plus remains a lifeline for people navigating career transitions. Thank you for everything you do.

And then there is Ellie’s List, a legacy of meetings, contributors, and champions who have quietly sustained this organization through decades of change. Ellie’s List is more than a roster — it’s a reminder that this community was built by people who showed up, gave generously, and believed deeply in the mission.

As we celebrate fifty years, we also honor the milestones that brought us here:

*    The founding of 40Plus SE Wisconsin in the mid-1970s, long before “career transition” was a common phrase

*     The launch of our structured weekly curriculum, guiding thousands through resumes, interviewing, networking, and confidence-building

*    The growth of our volunteer leadership, with tens of thousands of hours donated over the decades

*     Our shift into digital age and hybrid learning, ensuring members were never without support

*      The strengthening of community partnerships, including the generous support of WaterStone Bank, whose hospitality made today’s celebration possible

As we look back over fifty years, we see a world that has changed dramatically. Technology has transformed how we work. Entire industries have risen and fallen. Expectations have shifted. But one thing has never changed: People still need to network People still need encouragement. People still need a place where they are seen, valued, and supported. That’s what 40Plus has always been. And that’s what we will continue to be. As we step into the next fifty years, we do so with renewed purpose. We will keep championing lifelong learning. We will keep building a community where every person — can find hope, dignity, and possibility. Thank you for being here. Thank you for celebrating with us. And thank you for believing in the mission of 40Plus of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Bob Bachman Testimonial

50 Years of 40PLUS.  Think about it for just a few seconds.  It is a great milestone to celebrate.  The mentoring and coaching this organization has done over that long history is not lost on the 1,000’s of job seekers we have helped.  All our board members and I have also been helped by the counselling provided by 40PLUS.  And we have stuck around to help others.

We encompass a legacy of having helped 1,000’s of job seekers over the years,  never taking any compensation.  Having sustained that mission with the help of volunteers that bring their expertise though in-person and now countless virtual meetings is quite frankly a needed service in this marketplace.  There are other groups around the country that provide these services, but none that have that 50 year history to fall back on, as 40PLUS does.

We have found homes over the years in libraries, community rooms, churches, banks and other venues to practice our outreach.  Including this space where it all began 50 years ago as the Bill Needler Job Forum.

I also want to salute those that have helped us in that mission over the years, a long list of names too numerous to mention and those that continue to meet each week to sustain our on-going efforts.  Without their efforts past and present there would be no 40PLUS of Southeastern Wisconsin.  Congrats to us and ou 50 Years!

Brent Wenzel Testimonial

“Data craftsman guided by experience driven by knowledge.”  I would not have that tag line, nor a job without finding 40Plus and learning about StrengthsFinder’s.  And, not just StrengthsFinder’s but also the strength I found meeting people at the meetings I attended. We learned and shared problems, techniques and accomplishments.  And networking.

I lost my job in 2010.  My wife and I worked at the same company; she was downsized first and then I was a year later.  We were both out for 2 years with a 1-year overlap.  I was stuck in desperation gear where I thought I could take/do any job.  And, got no traction.  Somehow I found 40 Plus and learned: You and need to take this time off to get things done, re-energize, re-focus, and figure out what do you really want to do.  During this time my wife and I painted the whole outside of the house, etc.  I went back to work part time for a landscape architecture firm I had been working for.  All the while I attended 40 plus meetings and other meetings in the area. 

Finally, after “working it” I had a job, an hour + drive one way.  (the drive was not good, physically).

I continued with 40Plus Saturday meetings and eventually led the meetings with John Gregor.  Over the years of running the Saturday morning in-person meetings, John and I helped over 200 people.

We covered all kinds of topics from which an introductory package was developed: “ITS BACON SAM” that includes contributions from many of the members and the 40plus leaders. For example, it includes Arnot’s 20 20 Rule, 7 categories of Stories, Maura’s Six Fs of Job Hunting, etc.

After a few years I found a job closer to home.  It lasted a year before they shut down.  I knew I had to expand my network, who knows where the people would end up and they knew they had to network as well.  Nothing beats the feeling you get when from you network you get a message “I know someone who wants to talk to you!” That turned into my next job at which I’ve been working there for over 9 years.  I love my team and we all took the StrengthsFinder’s assessment and found the team to be well balanced.

I’d like to thank John, Maura and the 200+ people that attended the Saturday morning meetings along with the 40plus leadership in helping me.  Job search is not easy. But learning about the tools and having support from other job searchers gives you the confidence and strength to work through them.

Congratulations 40Plus on 50 years of “Putting Experience to Work!”

Ellie Mixter Keller Testimonial

Here’s what I can say. When I first went to 40Plus it was great. When I came back a few years later Lance was just opening doors for people going to meetings and attendees were talking about FoodShare. That’s what got me involved.

As an advertising business veteran, I was used to getting downsized… but I never had trouble getting a job. A global downturn changed that. There were no jobs for so many. After researching and applying to zillions of jobs, I was depressed and unsure of myself. I forced myself to go to a job seeker support group. Like AA for jobseekers. So much talent in the room. Instead of being depressing, it helped me understand it wasn’t me. The tactics taught in these groups lifted me up, it was the best part of my week. It gave me support I didn’t know I needed and taught me how to network for a job even in Smallwaukee.

40Plus of Southeastern Wisconsin has been helping jobseekers for 50yrs! From large group workshops to small in-person or virtual meetings, candidates are taught the skills needed to rebuild their confidence, apply and interview successfully, change direction, find new opportunities and network their way into the side door of companies they are interested in.

If you want to fast track your way into a new job, a new career, start your own business and develop supportive friendships and professional relationships, I highly recommend 40Plus of Southeastern Wisconsin.

John Gregor Testimonial

When I was unemployed and attended 40Plus, what I discovered to be one of the most important aspects of the group discussion was the high level of networking that occurred between everyone. If a person mentioned that they were interviewing at a specific company, it wasn’t uncommon for another group member to chime in and say something like, “My sister-in-law works there. Would you like me to connect you to her for an informational interview?” Sometimes someone would say they had problems getting through the ATS at a company. Then another member would respond saying they knew the manager of the department and could hand deliver a resume for them. Other times members would suggest job openings to other members who were struggling to find relevant work in their field. In all of these types of scenarios, I personally saw examples of members helping other members either advance further in the interview process, or even land jobs. Just because you’re unemployed doesn’t mean you can’t help someone else. Attend the 40Plus meetings. Never doubt the power of networking. It’s actually the power of paying it forward.

Madi Catalano Testimonial

Heard these before? I’m in HR; I don’t need help from 40Plus – I’ve got this! Or what about –

I’ve been through this before, I don’t need 40Plus this time, I know what I’m doing! You’d think both statements were true, but nothing could be further from the truth.  The reality is that when you’ve been down-sized, right-sized or just plain old let go, having a team of people in your corner is critical to your success.  And sure, our friends and family lend support, but that support doesn’t help us to land our next great job, does it?

Over the years and sadly on multiple occasions the 40Plus facilitators and members have provided me with:

A reason to get dressed and meet with people.      Support from people who have been through similar experiences. A place to heal and get the hard feelings out, so it doesn’t come out during an interview. A sounding board and practice in answering the hard questions. Accountability to stay focused on the job search (instead of baking). Resume guidance. Networking contacts. And, all this at no cost!

Here I am with 5 more years to work and hopefully this is my last role, but it’s an uncertain world and I’m thankful that the 40Plus is there with open arms in case I need guidance again.

Milena Dlugi Testimonial

Seven years ago, I moved from Poland to the United States. Once I was authorized to work, during a one-on-one meeting to review my resume, someone suggested that I attend the 40Plus networking meetings. That seemed unusual to me because we don’t have organizations like this in Poland. But I went, I needed to find a job, and although I had traveled to the United States before, it is very different when you are starting a new professional life in a new country.

40Plus of Southeastern Wisconsin gave me something I did not even know I needed at the time: a community. I found encouragement, guidance, and people who genuinely wanted to help others succeed in their job search. This group taught me how to present myself both on paper in my resume and in person. It taught me how to tell my story with confidence, how to do more than apply for jobs, how to reach out directly to hiring managers, how to network, and how to ask for introductions. However, the biggest lesson I have learned is that, even after you land a job, you should never stop connecting with people. Job search is hard for everyone, and it can often feel overwhelming. This group made it feel easier. Today, I own my own consulting businesses. Looking back, I believe this group helped me discover my strengths. It was the starting point of my professional life in the USA. Since then, I have recommended 40Plus to many people. I cannot even count how many. I do not know whether all of them attended a meeting, but I know that if they did, they benefited from the experience.

So, thank you to everyone who has served in leadership and supported this organization throughout the years. Your work has created opportunities, opened doors, and changed lives.

Patricia Fabian Testimonial

Go Team 40 Plus Go! –  “No Person is an Island” – “Superheros have Sidekicks” –   “TEAM- Together Everyone Achieves More”

I have been an active team member on two different rounds of job search in the past 8 years and both times found the experience rewarding, supportive, demanding, humorous, and ultimately very successful!  There are a variety of different employment support groups/teams you could choose to join.   I was part of the “Saturday Morning Crew” both times and truly valued the camaraderie; the structured agenda; moral support and encouragement; a firm ‘push’ to do things that aren’t as comfortable for you as an individual and the opportunity to celebrate every little success.  I always ended the session with more motivation to keep moving forward and a smile on my face. 

I believe one of the two most important agenda items that occur weekly are the “Opening Round Robin” asking everyone to share a highlight from their week.   It is amazing how quickly the team forms and re-forms as people join in and “celebrate on their way out”.  Sometimes there is a person who had a tough week or deep disappointment and everyone will chime in and provide support – even reaching out during the week to check in.  Knowing you are not alone in your experiences, emotions and challenges truly helps keep your spirits up in the face of what may seem like an endless wait in the desert. 

The second item is the critical skill of being able to answer questions clearly, succinctly, and hitting the salient points that express who you are and what you are capable of achieving.  The feedback is incredibly helpful and done with a deep respect for one another – all recognizing this is a skill and an art which takes practice, practice, and more practice.  Hearing from others who may know very little about your skill set/employment roles often provides the most clarity about what is missing or where you went off into the weeds or spoke too long.  It is far better to hone your skill at answering questions in front of a forgiving audience than a hiring manager.  The Saturday AM group is on Zoom so the Q & A also helps with where to look, posture, when on camera.

I highly recommend 40 PLUS – it is the full TEAM package – support and skills that will help you achieve success in your employment search!  

Lynn Petzold Testimonial

When I was asked to give a testimony to what 40Plus means to me, I decided the best way would  be to compare my two longest unemployed periods. I’ve been unemployed for 2 years at 2 different times, the first started in September of 2001 and the second was between 2010 and 2012.

In late August/early September of 2001, my position was eliminated. My job search was just really getting started on September 11, when the US experienced four coordinated terrorist suicide attacks by al-Qaeda, the day that the world shifted for many of us. Although the root cause of the shift was far different than that created by the Covid 19 pandemic, the environmental impact was eerily similar.

In 2001, the typical first step of a job search was the creation of a resume … which necessitated the development of CAR Stories (Challenge-Action-Results). I didn’t know that acronym until I joined 40Plus, but having spent many of my formative professional years at GE, I was very familiar with documenting my annual accomplishments and tying them to my job history timeline, so my CAR Stories were pretty easily added to my existing resume. The next step was to get my resume in the hands of organizations likely to be interested in what I had to offer. This wasn’t my first rodeo, so I was pretty experienced at making that happen. I shared my resume with hundreds of organizations and anyone I felt could possibly help me get it into the right hands. My efforts were so successful that, for a long period of time, I frequently had 2-3 interviews a day. While this sounds great, most of the organizations told me that, although they loved my resume, they didn’t have any openings at the time. I took advantage of every interview and job opportunity, traveling to Madison, the Fox Valley, and Green Bay, finally landing a position which fit my transferrable skills but feeling like a fish out of water.

When my position was eliminated in late 2010, I knew that the world had shifted again and that I needed to get on board. Although I’d had cell phones since 1985 (I’m very old), I hadn’t yet purchased a “smart phone” and I decided I had to become current with the times. Additionally, I hadn’t created a LinkedIn profile (since LI was created in 2003, I’d lost a lot of time and connections). I recognized that having a social networking presence was a necessity and I jumped to create a LinkedIn profile – relying heavily on my recently updated resume.

I was getting pretty old by this time and knew that I needed something to give me more than I’d had back in 2001. I discovered PONG (then named Pewaukee Opportunities Networking Group, now named Professional Opportunities Networking Group), a networking group geographically close to home and still in its infancy. I became close with several others in the group and acted as the facilitator for a portion of my unemployed period.

From PONG, I springboarded into 40Plus of Southeastern Wisconsin and the Lumen Christ Employment Network, two more self-help, free resources and advocates for job seekers in career and job transition. I frequently attended PONG on Mondays, Lumen Christi and Wednesdays, and 40Plus on Thursdays, either putting many miles on my vehicles or car-pooling with other attendees.

The majority of the individuals and networks that I interacted with during this time participated in several of these networking events, all referenced in what we all called Ellie’s List. Of these groups, 40Plus was by far the most rewarding for my job search and my networking abilities. The most challenging, informative, and supportive meeting was Rich Longabaugh’s Thursday morning 40Plus meeting. I learned about the “new to me” self-help tools of StrengthsFinder2.0, focused CAR stories, Accountability Groups, and Networking 101. The group pushed me out of my comfort zone on numerous occasions. Like PONG, I frequently had to provide my one minute elevator speech, which for someone who’s always been a little shy, was an unappreciated push. The group challenged me so much that I was forced to accept a consulting opportunity that I’d already rejected. This opportunity sent me to several manufacturing facilities in the US and also to Germany and Switzerland. The 40Plus Thursday group was somewhat shocked when I shared that the consulting group was out of India, but that’s another story.

I am very thankful that I met the experienced and professional mentors and coaches of 40Plus, as well as all of the job seekers I met along the way. The members of these networking groups all strive to help each other find new and exciting job and career opportunities. I want to support these efforts now and in the future, and offer my services to anyone who thinks I might be able to assist them in their efforts, continuing to pay it forward to 40Plus and the un- and underemployed.

Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way, I appreciate everything you did for me.

Rick Lee Testimonial

As a three-time graduate of 40PLUS, I can honestly say the group made a real difference for me, especially during my most recent job search, which lasted almost 15 months before I was hired in December. When you’re in a search that long, it’s easy to get discouraged, so having a place like 40Plus to keep learning, practicing, and staying connected was incredibly valuable. One of the things that really stayed with me was Rich Longabaugh’s emphasis on brevity when introducing yourself. He helped me see how important it is to be clear, confident, and concise. He also challenged us to practice tough interview questions and build strong Challenge, Action, Result—CAR—stories. That made a huge difference for me because it helped me talk about my experience in a way that felt more natural, focused, and effective.

Robert’s guidance also meant a lot to me. His message about not sabotaging your own career value really hit home, especially during the harder moments when confidence can start to slip. He also encouraged supportive, honest dialogue among the people in the group, and that sense of community mattered more than I can say. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone in the process and that other people truly understood the ups and downs of the journey. Looking back, 40Plus gave me more than just practical tools—it gave me encouragement, perspective, and a renewed sense of confidence. I’m deeply grateful for the support I received and for the role the group played in helping me get to a successful outcome.

Sara Junio Testimonial

For 28 years, I never had to look for a job. Jobs found me. I built roles around my strengths, moved when opportunity called, and stayed in motion. So when I finally left the organization I’d given nearly three decades to, I assumed the market would work the same way it always had. It didn’t. Someone pointed me to 40Plus. Specifically, to Rich Longabaugh and the Brown Deer group, an hour from my house. The word on Rich was clear: tough love. Very tough. And honestly? I wasn’t ready for it. So, I did what a lot of us do when we know something is exactly what we need  – I avoided it for six months.

I finally showed up anyway. Rich didn’t coddle me. He challenged me. But here’s what I didn’t expect: he also saw me. In a room full of people grinding through the discouragement of a job search, he pulled me aside and asked me to lead a workshop on strengths – how to identify them, how to partner with others who complement them, and how to stop letting the pit of the search swallow you whole. That moment changed my trajectory. It sparked a path I’m still walking. Purpose Factor®. DISC workshops and certifications that help others do what Rich did for me in 2019: see what they couldn’t see in themselves when the weight of uncertainty was too heavy. I needed the tough love. I was resisting it because it was exactly right.

Troy Blewett Testimonial

I found myself looking for work near the end of 2021. It wasn’t the first time I found myself out of work, I had been the victim of a RIF (reduction in force) earlier in my career and found a job within a couple of months, but this felt different. Maybe it was because I was older; maybe it was because it was a harder separation. In any case, I knew I needed some advice and support.

Fortunately, I was introduced to 40Plus by friends who had just successfully completed job searches of their own. The 40Plus team—Amy Whittenberger, Robert Bachman, Dennis Cherne and Mike Mallwitz—became invaluable advisors and supporters as I navigated the ups and downs of what would become a year-long job search. They guided me through the technical aspects of the job search, helping me improve my resume, ramp up my networking efforts and develop my CAR stories. Not to mention asking the “dreaded weekly question” which helped me practice my interview skills and become more comfortable telling my story. More importantly, they helped me manage the emotional part of being out of work…my doubts and my fears: “How do I talk about my last position? Do potential employers think I’m too old? Why is this taking so long?”  They taught me how to keep those worries at bay by focusing on what I could control and making sure I was doing the next right thing. Those lessons helped keep me optimistic during my search.

I am indebted to Amy, Robert, Dennis, and Mike. I cannot thank them enough. What I can do is help other job seekers who need help. And my first piece of advice is always to reach out to 40Plus.

Scott Richter Testimonial

I am truly honored by the 40Pus leadership team inviting me here to commemorate their impact and share my job-search journey with you.

I would summarize my journey by the statement, “I was lost, then I was found”.  Like many of you here tonight, about 1 ½ years ago I was unexpectedly let go by my employer.  I struggled through all of the resulting emotions including shock, disbelief, anger, and uncertainty.  When this happened to me, I was also the primary caretaker of my 93-year-old mother and supporting her through some serious medical issues.

So, there I was listing in a black hole with no insurance, no income, and wondering what next? I hadn’t been on a job-search for over 20 years. I worked myself through a serious illness, found out my identity was stolen upon filing for unemployment, and finally found a copy of my 3- page resume.  Taking one step at a time I contacted WI Dept. of Workforce Development, updated my LI profile, and went all in with Indeed for a job search resource.  I felt like the search process was a lot like dating websites. False listings, interviews unveiling much different realities than previous phone conversations, and creating videos for introductions. A couple months into my search, a good friend Lynn Petzold, informed me about some job search support group called 40Plus.  I just couldn’t get my arms around it. The idea that a group of individuals whom selflessly volunteered on an ongoing basis to support lost souls with their job search? I went to their website and dove in.  I benefitted not only from the empathetic, committed, and helpful volunteers, but also the numerous job search resources they provided.  The flexible, convenient virtual and non-virtual resources I participated in included workshops, networking events, links to specific needs, and weekly discussion groups.  The coaching, shared ideas, networking, and best practices provided invaluable support emotionally and for my skillset development.  I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks & appreciation to all of the volunteers and board members of 40Plus.  Particularly those I had the opportunity to engage with. I’ll tell you, that Monday morning group facilitated by Peter Beck, Robert Bachman, and Dennis Cherne, these guys are the real deal, the job search whisperers. You better have had your coffee jumping in with this group because it was deep thoughts ZEN and your job search every session! Then there is Amy Whittenberger on Saturday mornings.  Experiencing Amy’s commitment, passion, structure, and knowledge gave job searchers no excuses for mastering the strategy and tactics of the job search toward success with job placement

In closing, I am humbled by all of the representatives of 40Plus and grateful for their services.  The people of the Milwaukee area are incredibly fortunate to have this organizations’ representatives, resources, and support during their time of need. Thank You.