By Press Times staff

GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers Mentor-Protégé Program recognized their program participants on March 15, during an event held on the fourth floor of the Lambeau Field Atrium.

This is the 12th year for the program which pairs area mentor companies with growing protégé companies in the community.

The program matches established companies that can provide technical, managerial, financial or other guidance with protégés that are seeking to improve their competitive standing.

“The partnerships aim to foster business growth, economic development and job creation in Wisconsin. Created in part to match up minority-owned, veteran-owned, or woman-owned businesses with experienced mentor companies, such businesses account for 88 percent of the participating protégé businesses,” a Packers release stated.

“In the 12 years of the program, more than 407 full and part-time jobs have been created across the 128 protégé companies in 46 different Wisconsin communities. Additionally, participants have increased their annual revenue by a combined $85.6 million.”

Recognized partnerships

Chris Seider, with Foth, mentored Alesia Miller with Soul Brew Kombucha

Mike Sprang , with Foth, mentored Julie Waldron with EJ Waldron Transport

Lori Highby, with Keystoneclick, mentored Sandra Dempsey with Sandra Dempsey Network

Beth Relich, with KI, mentored Kiyana Mensah with Back to Basics Tutoring

Gregory Martin, with SBDC – Milwaukee, mentored Rosetta Bond with 1700 Pullup

Barb LaMue, with New North,  mentored Maiyoua Thao with ABC Staffing

Steve Barry, with Nicolet Bank, mentored Kimberly Wigert with Rite Way Consulting

Barbara Gromacki, with Pioneer Metal Finishing, mentored Citlali Mendieta with Antigua Restaurant & Catering

Renita Robinson, with Prevea, mentored Sherryl Hernandez with City Transformation Center

Chip Smoot, with Schreiber Foods, mentored Courtney Spangler with Confluence Graphics

Evony Caldwell, with Stratisphere Healthcare Solutions, mentored Candace Spears with Floor23 Digital

Doug Watson, with The Howard Co., mentored Steven DeVougas with Red Snapper Fish Company

Refilwe Goll, with Northwestern Mutual, mentored Nyesha Stone with Carvd N Stone and Shayvon McCullum with Secure Bridges

Mary Hosmer, with Vistage, mentored Peter Krabbe with Seymour Lumber

Tara Carr, with the SBDC – Green Bay, mentored Sarah Salisott with The Foster Lane

David Stauffacher, with the SBDC – Green Bay, mentored Greg and Krista Makos with Makos Furniture & Design

Awards

During the event, Sarah Salisott, with The Foster Lane, was named the “Most Valuable Protégé” and Beth Relich, with KI, was named “Most Valuable Mentor.” Kiyana Mensah, with Back to Basics Tutoring, was honored as “Comeback Player of the Year.”

Established in 2010, the program focuses mainly on businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, service-disabled veterans or disabled persons; however, other businesses are encouraged to apply.

Selected businesses are expected to participate in program events and presentations, as well as meeting monthly with mentor businesses.

For more information on the program, visit packers.com/mentorprotege.