Umbrella Transition Program Magazine

A Different K ind of Coach Todd Demonte, Entrepreneur and Advisor

T odd Demonte and Rodney go back nearly twenty years. Todd shares: “Rodney was a wrestler at La Follette High School, and I was a volunteer coach!” Fun fact: Rodney made it to the State Championship and is now an MMA fighter, still using some of the wrestling skills he learned in high school. From 2003 to 2018, Todd was CEO of Therma- Stor, so when Rodney first thought of The Umbrella Transition Program, he called Todd, this time looking for a business coach. Todd remembers the beginning stages: “I’d learned the way the business world works, and I shared that with Rodney, especially here in Madison. I was making connections with him or for him as best I could. We talked along the way, and I tried to offer as much helpful advice and guidance as I could when he was starting up.” Todd went to meetings about how to approach businesses for sponsorship and donations and how to hone their message to resonate with people. “Potential donors don't want to be taken advantage of; they want to minimize the risk.” Todd knew how to put people at ease and spread the word about Rodney’s important work. Todd now works with Madison industries but still uses his connections with Therma-Stor to help Rodney when it comes to hiring clients from The Umbrella Transition Program. Several clients have gotten jobs

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