02/27/2026
This week's Success Story Highlight is about Vincent from Advance Wisconsin Employment's WIOA dislocated worker program.
In February 2023, Biery Cheese Company in Plover, Wisconsin, announced its permanent closure. The decision to shut down its facility impacted 104 workers—including Vincent Santilli, a production supervisor who had devoted 16 years to the company. As a husband and father of two school-aged children, the closure represented more than just the loss of a job—it was the loss of stability he had worked years to provide for his family. Returning to another production job wasn’t enough. He knew he needed a sustainable career for his family’s future.
Vincent attended a rapid response session hosted by Career Planner John Peters, where he first learned about WIOA Dislocated Worker services. What could have been a discouraging meeting became a moment of opportunity. For years, Vincent had quietly dreamed of working in information technology. The problem was simple: he didn’t know where to begin. John’s guidance helped Vincent turn that dream into an actionable plan.
With John’s encouragement, Vincent explored occupational training options, completed his career assessments, and set a goal to break into cybersecurity—a growing industry that matched both his interests and long-term vision. He shared his dream clearly: to leave factory floors behind and build a career in IT security where he could protect data and people, providing his family with stability and himself with professional fulfillment.
By May 2023, Vincent enrolled in the WIOA Dislocated Worker Program. That fall, he began coursework at Mid-State Technical College in the newly launched Associate Degree program in IT – Information Systems Security Specialist. He also earned a one-year technical diploma in IT User Support Technician along the way. WIOA funds helped cover tuition and books, removing financial stress and allowing Vincent to focus fully on his training.
Vincent never wavered. He balanced rigorous coursework, family responsibilities, and career planning—all while maintaining a positive, disciplined attitude. His Career Planner, John Peters, noted:
“It was a great pleasure working with Vincent to help him achieve his career goals. He’s a focused, motivated individual who always maintained a positive attitude. He followed through on every program requirement, which made my job much easier. It was truly an honor and a privilege working with him.”
In May 2025, Vincent graduated with Honors. Within days, he started his new career as an IT Help Desk Technician at Wildcard Corporation—a cybersecurity and IT solutions provider whose clients include the FBI, Department of State, Department of Defense, and Department of Justice. Vincent’s dream had officially become his reality. Reflecting on his journey, Vincent shared:
“When Biery Cheese closed, I felt lost. I wondered, ‘What am I going to do without this job I’ve dedicated most of my adult life to?’ and ‘Is starting over in a factory really my only option?’ Thanks to John Peters and the WIOA Program, I found another path. John encouraged me to follow my dream of working in IT security at one of the most uncertain times in my life. He helped me stay focused, motivated, and on track. I’m grateful I met him when I did.”
