Automation Alley

Mentor Program

Looking for a way to progress in your career, but don't know where to turn for guidance?

Look no further than Automation Alley's mentoring program with the Midwest Technology Leaders, a group of progressive CIOs in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

Overseen by Business and Executive Coach Barry Demp, of Barry Demp Coaching, the Mentoring Program pairs today's top IT leaders with the Midwest's best CIOs. The mentor and mentee pairs meet one hour per month for a year, supplemented by quarterly best practices meetings (for mentors) and bi-annual workshops (for mentees). 
 
In an initial kickoff meeting, mentees are guided through the process of creating value for themselves throughout the program, identifying goals before the first meeting and are invited to contact their mentor. Mentors have an initial kickoff session as well, and are asked to work with their mentee to create a meeting schedule that works with both parties. Periodic meetings throughout the year give mentors and mentees the opportunity to evaluate their experience and give feedback to program facilitators.

Mentors have quarterly best practices webinars with Barry Demp, where they explore topics such as the various distinctions of mentoring, how to incorporate coaching in the experience and how to become a mentor for life.  
 
Mentees
Eligible mentees include current employees of Automation Alley member companies who are focused on what's next for themselves in their career. Please contact info@automationalley.com for questions concerning eligibility. 
 
2009 Mentees include:
  • Charles Flagg, Oakland Community College
  • Jeffrey Payne, MGM Grand Detroit
  • Joseph Richards, R.L. Polk & Co.
  • Justin Taylor, Continental Automotive
  • Kayla LeBlanc, Oakland Community College
  • Mark Blakeslee, John Deere Landscapes
  • Steven McCue, City of Birmingham
  • Steven Robert, billhighway.com
  • Vincent Williams, Awecomm Technologies

The program includes bimonthly meetings (plus monthly touch points) with a CIO mentor for ten months, beginning in February 2010. Mentors will be selected by the Midwest Technology Leaders, and paired with mentees (employees of Automation Alley member companies) based on similarities of sought experience and knowledge. 

Mentors
Eligible mentors include current CIOs based in Michigan. Please contact the Midwest Technology Leaders for more details on eligibility. The program includes bimonthly meetings (plus monthly touch points) with a CIO mentor for ten months, beginning in February 2010. Mentors will be selected by the Midwest Technology Leaders, and paired with mentees (employees of Automation Alley member companies) based on similarities of sought experience and knowledge.

2009 Mentors include:

  • Joe Sawasky, CIO, Wayne State University
  • David Behen, CIO, Washtenaw County
  • Ruthanne Largent, CIO, MGM Grand Detroit
  • Sue McGuire, CIO, Thetford
  • Roger Rehm, CIO Central Michigan University
  • Jim House, CIO, GKN
  • Paul Peabody, CIO, Beaumont Health Systems
  • Ken Theis, CIO, State of Michigan
  • Michael Thibideau, CIO, Webasto Roof Systems Inc.
     

Becoming a mentor entails:

  • Meeting once per quarter for four quarters with your mentee*
  • Participate in first quarter kickoff meeting
  • Responding to monthly touch points initiated by your mentee
  • Formally evaluating the program upon completion
    *These meetings could be held on the phone, in-person or via webinar
Become a mentor: 
 For additional information, contact Automation Alley at info@automationalley.com or phone (800) 427-5100.