Dear Clients, Colleagues and Friends,Can you believe it?!?  The holiday season is upon us!  Doesn’t it seem to creep up faster and faster every year??   Well all of us at TASS want to wish all of you and your families a Happy Happy Holiday and Happy New Year!!   We are also excited to bring you our December 2024 TASS newsletter!!!   TASS is proud to share our member/business of the month, Doug Feltman of Home Helpers – Fort Lee!!

Born in Paterson, but growing up in Lancaster, PA before graduating from Lehigh University with an Accounting degree.  Doug was a Naval officer and a proud Underwater Demolition team member (Frogman, which is now called SEALs).  He then received his Master of Accounting from the Ohio State University and joined Price Waterhouse and became a CPA, managing the Brussels International Tax Office before moving into International Advertising with Young & Rubicam and Grey Advertising in New York.  But an entrepreneurial spirit appeared and he founded a Cable TV company that acquired and ran cable TV systems throughout Georgia and Florida.  After 10 years, the systems were sold and Doug, a lifetime foodie, founded a Portuguese importing company of quality sea salt, the best virgin olive oils and quality  spiced vinegars, including a unique Port Wine vinegar. Doug’s biggest career move was precipitated by the medical problems of his aging parents in Florida.  Finding that caring for them at a distance was impracticable, he moved them to Edgewater, where he and his sister cared for them in their independent living apartment.  This event sparked his entrepreneurial spirit again when he realized that much of the American population was aging, living a much longer life and wanting to remain in their own homes and the pleasant caregiving experience with his parents enlightened him to consider helping other seniors in similar circumstances. Doug investigated various Home Health Care franchises before purchasing a Home Helpers Bergen County franchise.  After 15 award winning years in the business, (Best in Home Care-Provider of Choice by Home Care Pulse), Doug attributes his success to his Exceptional Caregivers and Office Staff, many whom have been with Home Helpers for 10-15 years.  One of his aides won the National Home Helpers Exceptional Caregiver of the Year award after her outstanding care for 4 years with an ALS client, the most terrible disease.  Doug’s competitive advantage is the personal attention that he provides to his clients throughout their services and to select only the most compassionate and patient caregivers to work at Home Helpers.  And best of all, Doug claims that this job has given him the most satisfaction of all his many careers as he is able to witness the progress of many of his clients with chronic illnesses and their ability to improve, particularly with Stroke patients. Doug joined the Fort Lee Chamber of Commerce when he first started Home Helpers in Bergen County without knowing a single person in the County.  By joining Chamber Committees and networking, the Chamber gave him the ability to meet people and establish trust and relationships so that referrals could be made to help seniors. He was elected as the President of the Fort Lee Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2015 for two years.  Doug is also a proud Rotarian and is spearheading a project to build a major park in Fort Lee and believes in Service Above Self.  He is the current President of the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, an eclectic music organization.  After running 9 marathons and 25 Triathlons Doug was elected to the Board of the New York Road Runners organization and was the 3 year Chairman of the Audit Committee.  He was a Professional soccer referee and in his leisure moments, enjoys long rides on his road bike and brisk walks with his dog every morning.  Evening activities include attending NY theatre, ballets and operas. Doug has been married to his beautiful wife Jeanne, for 34 years and has two successful children, Todd, a PhD and Literary Coach to disadvantaged students in the New York City schools and Alex, a CPA and probable future entrepreneur.

Upcoming TASS Events Join The Alliance of Senior Services of New Jersey (TASS) as they host a panel discussion all about the needs and opportunities available for the senior community. Tuesday February 18th – 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM – Paramus Public Library – 116 East Century Rd., Paramus, NJ    Feel free to bring your questions about healthcare, aging and senior resources as we will have experts on hand to answer them. Thank you for your interest!!

Previous TASS Events TASS 2024 Holiday Party Though many of our members weren’t able to attend due to other business obligations (our main objective is to help the aging adult community), we always enjoy our time together and look forward to another year belonging to The Alliance For Senior Services!