Al Rubin, Experienced business entrepreneur (Submitted Photo)

In celebration of Mentorship Month throughout November, The Evening Sun will host a series of mentoring success stories twice each week from the Regional Mentoring Program at DCMO BOCES.

The program was funded by a federal Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant in November of 2022, administered by the Southern Tier 8 Regional Board. With help from Commerce Chenango and the Delaware and Otsego Chambers, the program connected 62 high school seniors, from 16 area school districts, with local mentors in the private and public sectors.

Al Rubin,

Experienced business entrepreneur

When Al Rubin joined the Regional Mentoring Program, he didn’t have to figure out how to approach it– he came already prepared. “I have a whole process. ‘Listen, Identify, Strategize and Teach.’ I go through what that all means with my mentees.”

Rubin, who describes himself as a “serial entrepreneur,” is a positive-focused area businessman, operating a number of companies, including A&D Transport Services. He’s also a father and a coach, and he brought all of these experiences to bear as a mentor last year for two students. His approach is definitely rooted in ideas of positive self-improvement. “I have something I say to my kids all the time: First, it’s ‘be better.’ Then it’s ‘be the best.’” When working with his two mentees, this idea of developing personal strengths was a consistent theme. “I don’t focus on the companies that I operate, the focus is more on working so people can see their strengths, and be able to harness that energy and feed off what other people bring to the table,” he said.

It's not just about the individual mentee– Rubin also believes in the contributions that others can make for the student, and that the student can make for others. “I talk about what their assets are, and how they need to observe other people, and figure out what their assets are and how to collaborate, work together,” he said. His suggestion? “Really, really listen– to what other people are saying to you. It really doesn’t matter if it’s the CEO of the hospital or the janitor at school– everyone has something valuable to teach you.”

Listening is also the key to Rubin’s mentoring. Engaging with his mentees in conversation allows the mentees to discover and identify qualities, talents, habits and challenges. Rubin listens carefully, “and I just try and figure out what their strengths are, and then we talk about how they can take those strengths and really push far ahead into the world, not just in business, but in their personal relationships as well,” he said. “I love seeing people take their strengths and create the best possible person they can be.”

Participants sometimes have a lot on their plate, including challenges that can seem overwhelming to a young person. Rubin found himself working with one mentee trying to make plans for her future while facing some tough problems in her personal life. “The personal issues were distracting her from her decisions,” he said, “How can you be the best person you can be to deal with the situation? You’re only 18 right now, but can you develop a stronger persona, that might help you deal with this down the road? Do the best that you can do to chart your course, but build the strength so that when it comes time to make a stronger move in that direction, you’ll have the power to do so.” Helping the student work through things was an experience that he won’t forget. “It was real and it was raw, and I believe that this particular person is going to do really well,” he said. “That was the most rewarding piece, for sure.”

Rubin appreciates the value of mentoring, and is glad to find a resource like this in this area. “I just think it’s such a worthwhile program. Today’s youth– if they can have positive influences… there’s so many things frustrating them from so many directions, and the access to information isn’t always the healthiest or correct,” he said. “You have this human contact, with people who are willing to share their experiences and really have the hope to see people do better. I just think it’s valuable to the mentees, to have that backing.”

The mentoring program will now be coordinated by Commerce Chenango, Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and Otsego Chamber of Commerce. For more information on how to become a mentor, visit the chamber organizations’ website. For students’ access to mentoring services or to learn more about mentoring support, visit www.dcmoboces.com.