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Mentors of the Month

April 2025: ACP congratulates Kelly Petrone and Paul Regan

April 23, 2025

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

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US Service Member with kid in arms

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