Meet Our Team

Jeannine Pontoski is our Director of Care and a highly experienced leader. She has worked in home care through another agency and also owned and operated various businesses. Caring for others is her passion, and she practices hygge, a way of life that focuses on simple pleasures, living consciously, and finding joy in each moment, in line with her Danish roots. Jeannine is the mother of three grown children and enjoys reading, writing, and photography. As our Director of Care, she makes successful client/caregiver matches and works hard to get to know clients, their families, and all the caregivers to make the right connection. Jeannine knows that while skill set is important, a good relationship is essential for home care work!

Melissa was raised in a multi-generational home where everyone looked out for each other. Her caring nature comes naturally to her. She used to work as a Recreational and Activity Assistant in a nursing home, where she utilized her creative talents. Her holistic approach to program design reinforced her understanding of the healing power of play, engagement, and connection.  As a Care Manager, Melissa enjoys connecting with seniors, their families, and caregivers. She builds connections to serve the ever-changing needs of seniors and their loved ones.  In her free time, Melissa loves attending concerts with her sister and nieces, taking long scenic motorcycle rides with her partner, and traveling to warm destinations.

Tessa joins Home Instead as a Care Manager with years of experience as a social worker for hospice, home health, a skilled nursing facility, and most recently a health insurance company. Prior to medical social work, Tessa worked in schools supporting students and their families. She enjoys getting to know her clients to provide high quality care. Tessa has a masters degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania and is currently working on her doctorate from Kutztown University. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. Tessa lives in Coopersburg with her husband and children, as well as a dog and a cat.

Arden has taken to coordinating home care like a duck does to water. She is crucial in supporting clients and caregivers and is highly valued as a team member.  Besides her full-time job, Arden is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She enjoys attending live music events and spending quality time with her family and boyfriend.

Steve is well-known for his calm demeanor and soothing voice, which he uses to defuse challenging situations. We are fortunate to have someone with the skills and knowledge to address our after-hours issues. When he's not resolving client and caregiver problems, Steve enjoys kayaking, visiting our National parks and cheering on our Philly sports teams. Previously, Steve ran LCX Associates, an asset recovery business, for 20 years. Steve and his cat, Lilly, live just down the street from our office.

Emily Lovely has a degree in economics from Rutgers University and an MBA/ MS from Temple University. She has worked for Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Travelzoo Inc. and has visited over 45 countries on six continents. To Home Instead, she also brings her experience caring for her family, including four children. Outside of work, Emily enjoys exercise, travel, reading romantasy novels, hiking, being outdoors, riding horses, fostering animals for the SPCA, and spending time with her chickens. She is married to David Lovely, and they reside in Pipersville, PA, with their family.

Why are you in the home care business?
I believe our home is our sanctuary, our kingdom, our safe space. It represents love, comfort, interests, security, and bridges our past, present and future. I'm passionate about providing seniors with the support they need to remain in their homes, and providing that care with compassion and kindness. In my role as HR Manager, I ensure we only hire Caregivers who I would want in my own home and I'm proud of our outstanding team of Caregivers, they are the best!

David is an experienced entrepreneur and has led companies including Health Testing Centers, Century Hearing, and Performance Media Group. Previously, David held positions with LabCorp, Carl Icahn Associates, Cayman Airways and Certified Vacations. David grew up in Connecticut and attended The Foote School, Suffield Academy and American University. David enjoys watching sports, reading science fiction and spending time with his family. Adored by his loyal dog, Aspen, David lives with his wife and four children in Pipersville, PA.

Why are you in the caregiving business?

"My parents. I watched my Mom suffer through Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).  The caregivers she had made her daily routine enjoyable. It also allowed her loved ones to be just that, rather than doing the hard work, we could focus on loving her.   My Dad now is battling brain cancer and lives with us most of the time. I understand what families go through and what a difference some help can provide.  I hope to assist in the coming crisis of care for the baby boomer generation. I want to build a place caregivers can be proud to work and that clients and families can receive the support they need and deserve."

Aspen is the Home Instead Central Bucks office dog! She’s a six year old mutt who gets a lot of love when she comes into the office. Aspen is David’s dog, and she loves her daddy so much! Second only to her daddy, Aspen loves leaning out the car window, chewing on her stuffed lamb toy, and having her belly scratched. She greets everyone at the door and helps boost the office mood!