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- Jill Brookner | AEG
Jill is one of the founders at AEG and has 36 years of experience working with special education. Jill Brookner “Trust the process!” In her role at AEG she brings her history of passion and advocacy for those with unique abilities with a reinforced commitment to employment equity and inclusive practices in the workplace. She holds an Ed.S. in Guidance and Counseling, a Master’s in Administration and Supervision, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Special Education. She brings 40 years of experience and advocacy in the special education field, in both the public and private sector. Jill was employed with Miami Dade County Public Schools for 36 years as a special education teacher, behavior management teacher, educational specialist, and instructional supervisor of programs for students with intellectual disabilities, physical impairments, assistive technology and transition services which serves approximately 12,000 transition-aged students with disabilities per year. Her team created inclusive and innovative transition programs throughout the county in locations such as Zoo Miami, Miami International Airport, Cities of Miami and Hialeah and Florida International University. Contact jill@advancedemploymentgroup.com
- Mark Mangrum | AEG
Mark is one of the founders of AEG, and became National Director for One on One Learning, which serves low income families, schools and school districts. Tracy Valencia "It ain't what you got, it's what you do with what you have. It's not what you do, it's how you do it." – Hey Detroit, Swales With over eight years of dedicated service, Tracy Valencia brings a powerful combination of lived experience and professional expertise to the field of disability advocacy and job development. Her passion for creating job opportunities and financial stability for individuals with disabilities is both a personal mission and a professional calling. Tracy’s journey began at home. Growing up, she carefully saved all her class notes for her younger brother Ed, whose disability made writing difficult. Thanks to Tracy’s support, Ed went on to graduate from high school with straight A’s. This early experience shaped her lifelong commitment to breaking down barriers and uplifting others. Today, as a Job Developer, Tracy helps dozens of people with disabilities build the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the workforce. With a proven track record in job placements, career coaching, and team leadership, she continues to open doors and change lives. Tracy is also a force for change in the business community, building lasting partnerships and promoting inclusive hiring practices. Her work is driven by a deep belief in the resilience of every person and a determination to create meaningful pathways to success. Contact tracy@advancedemploymentgroup.com
- Phillip Barr | AEG
Phillip Barr “The highest wisdom is not to know all things, but to know ourselves.” – Giordano Bruno Phillip was born and raised in Marin County, California. He helps individuals with unique needs and abilities get jobs in Northern California through employment services. He strives to break the negative stigmatization of disabled people being "unable to work". Creating new connections and job opportunities for his clients is his ultimate goal. Contact phil@advancedemploymentgroup.com
- Jack Friedman | AEG
Jack is one of the founders at AEG. Jack Friedman "You can't expect to hit the jackpot if you don't put a few nickels in the machine." – Flip Wilson Jack Friedman has spent his career focused on college and career readiness for underserved populations. Based in Los Angeles, founded Study Smart Tutors Inc as a student at USC in 2008. In addition to his work at Study Smart Tutors and AEG, Jack serves as the board chair of the Youth Business Alliance and is a board member at Tzedek America and the ACT CA Council. Contact jack@advancedemploymentgroup.com
- District Partners of AEG
AEG partners with many organizations and districts. Learn more about them here. DISTRICT PARTNERS PLACE INDIVIDUALS ON THE PATH TO SUCCESS Refer Clients to AEG The startling and sad truth about individuals with unique abilities is that when they reach the age of 22, they are not typically prepared for the pitfalls they will face. Society’s lack of resources to accommodate for them is horrible and these young men and women are often left on their own with no clear path in front of them. We work with organizations like the DOR, California Regional Center, and various school districts to place these clients into jobs and prepare them to be successful in the workforce. If your organization has clients that could benefit from our services, we'd love to chat! We're Here to Help. To prepare these individuals for the next chapter in their lives, AEG is committed and ready to conduct Pre-Employment Training and Employment Services. We are a family of passionate members who have experienced first-hand what an impact employment can have on someone with unique abilities. Imagine going from someone with no confidence to a proud human-being that believes in themselves and their abilities to achieve whatever it is they want; someone who is financially free and friends with those at work; someone who not only makes a difference at work, but in the community. That's our goal, and we'd love your help to make it happen. Let's Chat. Interested in partnering with AEG? Contact us to get connected with a team member to learn more. Contact
- Mark Mangrum | AEG
Mark is one of the founders of AEG, and became National Director for One on One Learning, which serves low income families, schools and school districts. Andi Bates "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." Andi Bates, raised in Orange County, has over seven years of experience supporting individuals of all ages with disabilities or limitations. Known for a compassionate, creative approach, Andi is dedicated to helping people feel seen, supported, and empowered. With a background in the arts and a talent for thinking outside the box, she brings fresh perspective and warmth to her work. Outside of professional life, Andi enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog and recharging in nature. Contact andi@advancedemploymentgroup.com
- Mark Mangrum | AEG
Mark is one of the founders of AEG, and became National Director for One on One Learning, which serves low income families, schools and school districts. Jesus Ramos "It ain't about how hard you can hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." – Rocky Balboa movie Jesus has over 20 years of experience directly supporting individuals with diverse abilities. He is dedicated to motivating and educating his clients, encouraging them to rise beyond societal labels and limitations. His family, his 2 children with autism, and his clients inspire him daily and drive his commitment to making a meaningful difference in their lives. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Jesus is committed to meeting the diverse and often complex needs of people with competence and compassion. The well-being of his clients motivates him to foster positive perceptions and constructive conditions at work and beyond, enabling clients with disabilities to thrive and achieve their full potential. Becoming the first in his family to graduate from college is a significant achievement that inspires his family, friends, and community in profound ways. Contact jesus@advancedemploymentgroup.com
- Student Services | AEG
Student Services is offered to students with unique abilities who are interested in transitioning into the workforce. We place clients with internships, co-ops, and more. Student Services AEG offers multiple services for students and young adults. From Job Exploration Counseling to Workplace Readines Training, our student services help prepare our younger clients to launch their careers with confidence. Learn more about the different services below. Contact Us Benefits of Student Services Student Services through AEG helps to build valuable skills that are transferrable to long-term employment. These skills are necessary for young adults to learn as they finish secondary school and prepare for the workforce. Through Student Services, clients build confidence and experience while learning specific job skills. Skill Building Goal Achievement Confidence Boost Enhance Communication Career Readiness Personalized Support Types of Services Job Exploration Counseling Job Exploration Counseling offers students personalized guidance on career options, necessary skills, and personal interests in a community setting. This service is tailored to their specific training needs. Post Secondary Counseling Postsecondary Counseling helps high school graduates and students identify educational programs and resources that align with their goals, providing guidance for both students and families on opportunities that enhance employment outcomes. Self Advocacy Self-Advocacy Training equips students to understand and communicate their rights, needs, and goals, building confidence to advocate for themselves in work and community settings. Work Place Readiness Workplace Readiness Training equips students with essential social and interpersonal skills for employment success, teaching them to effectively communicate with coworkers and supervisors, evaluate their own performance, and understand the importance of punctuality. Section Title Student Services Process Intake Clients who are referred to us by the DOR or another partner will be assigned an Employment Specialist (ES). The ES will contact the client via phone or email. This first meeting is approximately 1 hour long. The ES will take this time to get to know the client, his/her goals, and any accommodations necessary. Individualized Training The Employment Specialist will collaborate with the client to establish a training schedule, typically one hour per week. Based on the allocated hours for training services, the Employment Specialist will tailor the curriculum to meet the client’s needs and maximize the effectiveness of the services. Group Training Coordinated in partnership with educational institutions, this service is delivered based on a schedule determined by AEG and school staff. The training is designed to meet the needs of multiple students, with curriculum tailored to the group’s goals and the hours allocated for the program, ensuring students gain valuable skills in a collaborative setting Let's Chat. Interested in learning more about student services with AEG? Contact us to get connected with an employment specialist to learn more. Contact
- Jose Garcia | Mysite
Jose Garcia "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." – African Proverb Jose Garcia was born in Mexico and grew up in Pittsburg, California. He is a proud migrant and first-generation UCLA graduate with a double major in Chicano/a Studies and Spanish. His journey has been shaped by resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to growth. Jose has cultivated a diverse skill set, with experience spanning construction, remodeling, and painting, as well as photography and videography as a freelancer. His dedication to giving back and serving others led him to become a Spanish high school teacher and ELD counselor. A year ago, he transitioned his drive for service into workforce development, becoming an employment specialist. He now serves in the Bay Area as a regional manager for Advanced Employment Beyond his professional pursuits, Jose is deeply committed to community and personal development. He stays active through sports and is part of a thriving community running club with hundreds of members. He also enjoys going to the gym, playing pickleball and tennis, and trying new activities, while exploring new nature places and chasing sunsets. With a mindset focused on continuous improvement, Jose strives to grow 1% every day while building meaningful connections and making a lasting impact. Contact jose@advancedemploymentgroup.com
- Mark Mangrum | AEG
Mark is one of the founders of AEG, and became National Director for One on One Learning, which serves low income families, schools and school districts. Lupe Moreno "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." – Steve Jobs For the past ten years, Lupe has had the privilege of serving as an Employment Specialist, during which time she has developed a profound commitment to the prosperity of our community. She is deeply passionate about collaborating with individuals to facilitate the identification and attainment of their professional and personal objectives. You can be assured of her unwavering dedication, strong work ethic, and empathetic approach as we work collaboratively to support your success. Contact lupe@advancedemploymentgroup.com
