Strong Leadership, Bold Vision
Dr. Ellenmorris Tigerman, Founder and CEO
Dr. Ellenmorris Tiegerman is the Executive Director of Tiegerman School and Professor Emeritus at Adelphi University's Derner Institute. She founded Tiegerman in 1985 after a loved one's traumatic brain injury. Dr. Tiegerman holds a Ph.D. from the City University of New York and multiple Master's degrees. Her expertise includes child language disorders and autism spectrum disorders.
Mr. Jay Parker
Jay Parker, Board Chair of Tiegerman Schools, was born and raised in Queens, NY. A graduate of Francis Lewis High School, he earned a B.A. in Political Science from SUNY Binghamton and an MBA from UMass Amherst. After a career in the family restaurant business, he retired and now resides in Northborough, MA. An avid skier, hiker, and equestrian, he has held leadership roles in various community organizations.
Mr. Jimmy Araujo, Chairman TCS
Jimmy Araujo of Nassau County, LI owner of Lifebodi Fitness LLC, a concierge services that offers personalized rehabilitation care and personal physical training that can help people prevent, get back, keep, or improve abilities that are needed for daily life; that someone may have lost because of decreased conditioning, disease or injury.
Mr. Paul Rosen
Paul Rosen has been a dedicated member of the Tiegerman Board of Directors for 38 years. His connection to the school is personal—his daughter Lauren was part of the first class. Since then, Paul has played a key role in shaping Tiegerman’s mission, advocating for children with learning and developmental disabilities. A devoted husband and father of two, Paul’s family has long been involved with the school. His service has been supported by his wife, Nancy, whose partnership has been essential throughout his journey. Outside of Tiegerman, Paul is the founder and longtime leader of DGR, an office interiors business he has led for over 50 years. His professional and philanthropic efforts reflect a lifelong dedication to building stronger, more inclusive communities.
Mrs. Toya Davis, Vice Chairperson TCS
Toya Davis is the Parent Liaison at Tiegerman, an educational organization dedicated to supporting students with developmental and learning disabilities. She collaborates across all Tiegerman schools and programs, ensuring families are informed about educational developments. Ms. Davis also provides guidance to parents navigating special education processes. For more insight into her role, you can watch this introductory video: https://youtu.be/2D9glq4vihw tiegerman.org
Mr. Douglas Farber
Doug Farber, CEO and founder of Horsepower Advisors, is a global security expert with decades of leadership in public and private sectors. He chairs InfraGard National Members Alliance and previously led World Trade Center Security post-9/11. A former U.S. Secret Service agent, he also served as Global Head of Security at Millennium Management. Farber is a member of ASIS International, the CSO Center, and ISMA.
Mr. Joseph Farber, Esq.
Joseph Farber, Esq, General Counsel of Tiegerman Schools, specializes in real estate and commercial mortgage transactions, closing over $1 billion in loans annually, as lead counsel for NYCB. A Brooklyn Law graduate, he has served as General Counsel to Cross County Bank and held leadership roles in legal and civic organizations. Admitted to multiple courts, he holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Mr. David Farbstein
Mr. Joseph Ficalora
Joseph R. Ficalora, a longtime Tiegerman supporter and Board member, is a Vietnam War veteran and esteemed business leader. As President and CEO, he transformed New York Community Bank into a multi-bank holding company. Committed to education and community service, he serves on multiple boards, including Pace University and Pentegra. Honored as a Commendatore of Italy, his leadership continues to strengthen Tiegerman’s mission and impact.
Mrs. Teri Fritz
Nicole Epstein Schwartz, Esq.
Nicole Epstein Schwartz is a dedicated advocate, leveraging law, government, business, and media to champion clients' interests. Specializing in land use, zoning, education, and healthcare, she drives impactful advocacy. A magna cum laude graduate of Stony Brook University and Hofstra Law, she has negotiated major contracts and earned top PR and legal honors. She also founded and chaired the Nassau County Bar Association’s Government Relations Committee.
Mr. John Scalfani, Tomra of North America
John Scalfani, is Vice President of Sales at TOMRA North America based in Shelton, CT. With over three decades in sales, John has been instrumental in providing advanced reverse vending solutions to clients, fostering long term relationships through exceptional service and technology.
Mr. Eli Szus
Eli Szus focuses on innovation in the entrepreneurial technology sector. He has worked in the marketing sector managing big data, analytics and reporting and now focuses his energy in product development and strategy in startup environments.
Ms. Denise Tembelis
Denise Tembelis volunteers with the Tiegerman school board to help create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students. Denise holds a strong belief in the power of education to transform lives. Her goal is to ensure that every student has the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed academically and personally. Outside of the Tiegerman Schools, Denise has a passion for rescuing animals. She currently holds a board position for a local non-profit rescue, Christina’s Animal Safe Haven. She loves pairing dogs with their perfect home. Denise is always eager to connect and share more about the work that she does.