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TeamMates celebrates mentors, mentees
Joe Moglia captured the attention of the 450 dinner guests.
Laughter and chatter echoed from wall to wall throughout the Great Hall of the Lincoln Station, Thursday night, Jan. 21, when 450 TeamMates mentors, mentees, family members and school staff gathered for an evening of celebration.
TeamMates annually hosts the Recognition Dinner during National Mentoring Month as a way to bring together those persons involved with the mentoring program. This year 19 students received achievement awards and 17 mentors were inducted into the Mentor Hall of Fame. In addition, eight mentors received the Decade of Difference Award for being mentors for 10 years or more.
A highlight of the event was hearing from the former CEO of TD Ameritrade, Joe Moglia. Wildly successful as the firm's leader for seven years, Moglia attributes his success as a business leader in part to his experience as a football coach and to the people who advised him at critical times of his life.
Moglia built his message of getting and staying strong on stories of his life, beginning with growing up in the Bronx, NY. Yes, he was part of a gang, he admitted. "I began drinking at 10, lying at 10, and stealing at 11." Had it not been for his mother making the decision for him that he was going to prep school rather than the neighborhood high school, he probably would have been with his childhood friend who was killed robbing a liquor store. "I have no doubt I would have been there, no doubt, had I not gotten out of the neighborhood," he said. And that, he said, he owed to his mother.
Sometimes with humor, sometimes with seriousness but always with compassion for the mentors and mentees in the room, Moglia traced his journey and the people who walked with him, leaving gems of wisdom behind with each story.
Moglia has traded in his CEO position to return to his first passion – coaching. He is currently the leadership and life skills consultant for football at the University of Nebraska.
"The issues that worried young people 25 years ago when I was coaching are the same issues bothering kids today," Moglia told the crowd. "So you need to understand what you're going through – you're not the only ones, you're not alone."
The business exec turned coach urged the young people to accept the help and support of the caring adults in their lives. "It may not look as cool as what you see in front of you, but they're trying to help you go through things because they care about you and they have experience."
Adding to the fun of the evening was master of ceremonies, Matt McKay, KFRX's morning disc jockey. McKay, an enthusiastic supporter of TeamMates on and off air, pleased the audience with his exuberance about the mentoring program.
The gathering also heard from Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Susan Gourley; Marilyn Moore, assistant superintendent of schools; and TeamMates Cynthia Falk and Kuhloud Al-Waely, who talked about their bond as TeamMates for the past six years.
Earlier in the day, TeamMates hosted a recognition lunch at the Lincoln Station, attended primarily by business people. The event is a fundraiser for TeamMates. The Tony and Carmen Messineo Community Involvement Award was presented to Nelnet, US Bank, Southwood Lutheran Church, Pastor Greg Bouvier from Sheridan Lutheran Church, and LPS Superintendent of Schools Susan Gourley.
Premier Catering and Tony Messineo made possible the venue and the meals at both events.
