Our Team
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STEVE LORBERBAUM
OWNER -
CATHY LORBERBAUM
CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR -
Jennifer Abergel
Director of Operations -
MICHELE THORBURN
HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR -
PATRICIA DUBROOF
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS -
Kate McCulloch
Director of Nursing, Maryland -
Nick Porter
Director of Business Development -
PHILLIP PERELAS
Business Development Manager -
JEANNETTE HAND, RN
NURSE MANAGER -
LAURA RODRIGUEZ, RN, BSN
STAFF NURSE -
MARIANNE BAILEY
Digital Marketing & Communications Manager -
MARY BETH MAY
Intake Coordinator
STEVE LORBERBAUM
OWNER
Owner, Assisting Hands Home Care of Potomac
As the owner of Assisting Hands Home Care, Steve is dedicated to providing families and their loved ones with exceptional caregiving services and support. It’s about getting to know each family personally and then providing a solution that works. According to Steve, “we get calls from families looking for information and education. People are often in a crisis situation. They need someone to help them understand their options. Sometimes, we are a temporary bridge to a longer-term living solution. At other times, we become the long-term solution to help someone remain comfortably at home. It depends on the family and their particular needs. Our purpose is to counsel families and match personalities and needs with a caring professional to help a loved one wherever home is at the moment. We’re there when family can’t be.”
Steve’s experience is based on the challenges he and his wife faced as they addressed care needs for their parents. Steve’s background is diverse. He has more than 25 years of experience practicing law in both private practices and as General Corporate Counsel. Steve earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University. He continued his education with a JD degree from George Washington University Law School in Washington DC. In 2014, he became a Certified Senior Advisor and serves on the board of Cupid’s Charities, an organization that supports the Children’s Tumor Foundation, and on the Board of Potomac Community Village, as a neighbor helping neighbor senior organization and is on the Board of GROWS (The Grass Roots Organization for the Wellbeing of Seniors). Steve won the 2015 Presidential Award from Assisting Hands Home Care. He also serves on the Montgomery County’s Age Friendly – Home and Community-Based Services Workgroup.
CATHY LORBERBAUM
CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
Client Services, Assisting Hands Home Care of Potomac
Cathy holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Florida. Earlier in her career, she held various marketing positions at several telecommunications companies in the Washington, DC area – including COMSAT Communications, GTE Spacenet, and PictureTel. While serving as director client services, Cathy also shares her skills as a yoga instructor – providing yoga tips to caregivers through video. Cathy has been a yoga instructor in the Washington D.C. area for 20 years. She has taught at several yoga studios in the DC area. Her classes focus on building core strength, joint stability, and flexibility while promoting relaxation, breathing, and meditation.
Jennifer Abergel
Director of Operations
Jennifer brings a passion for serving clients and families to Assisting Hands, backed by her extensive knowledge, expertise, and commitment to providing excellent service. Her background in healthcare administration is comprehensive, encompassing roles as a licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Assisted Living Executive Director, and Certified Dementia Practitioner and Trainer. This experience is invaluable in advising clients and ensuring they receive the highest level of service. Jennifer holds a Master's degree in Health Care Administration from The George Washington University, with a concentration in Long Term Care. She has amassed 30 years of experience in various sectors including assisted living, skilled nursing, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, wellness clinics, and continuing care retirement communities, making her well-versed in the healthcare needs of the community.
Building trust and fostering long-lasting relationships with clients and caregivers is paramount for her. Jennifer is also a Leadership Montgomery graduate, a long-term care preceptor, and serves on the leadership board for LifeSpan. She educates her peers on the best approaches to working with the cognitively impaired. Being part of the AH family and serving the community where she grew up is a true honor for Jennifer.
MICHELE THORBURN
HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR
Michele is an accomplished Global Human Resources and Administration professional with over 20+ years of establishing and streamlining departmental functions and implementation. She worked with the international community for more than 20 years. Michele is multi-lingual with proficiency in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Michele is a strategic and hands-on Human Resources Director, providing full-cycle Human Resources support to employees. She is an advocate for internal customer support and is focused on driving HR functional excellence and process improvement. She advocates for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are all entitled to be treated fairly. As an exceptional communicator, Michele thrives on building productive relationships and mentoring individuals to reach their full potential. These are skills critical to the growth of Assisting Hands Home Care.
Michele is passionate about women’s health and homecare, having taken care of her parents when they became ill. She grew up overseas and loves India, particularly the strength exhibited by the women in that country. She moved to the U.S. as a teenager and eventually started her own business. Michele was drawn to Assisting Hands because of our humanitarian solid philosophy. Michele loves traveling, reading, and pet-sitting in her free time.
PATRICIA DUBROOF
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Patricia Dubroof is the Director of Community Relations for Assisting Hands Home Care. She creates partnerships with our senior communities to share educational and creative tools about the important role caregivers have in our family’s lives. She connects with our families as they enter the caregiver world, listening carefully to their stories and finding solutions to their caregiving needs. Patricia facilitates several programs: including Death Café, Book Chat and Creativity Boosters. Patricia represents Assisting Hands as an active member of the Rockville Chamber of Commerce, Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce and GROWS.
Patricia Dubroof joined Assisting Hands in 2019. She has over 40 years of experience in caring for seniors through creativity and coaching. She developed arts and healing programs at the Hebrew Home of Greater
Washington, Iona Senior Service, Washington DC Veterans Medical Center, and many other senior organizations.
Patricia is the founder of Women Leaders in Elder World. A group of caring and experienced professionals from a wide variety of disciplines eager to help the community find the best solutions and resources for seniors.
Kate McCulloch
Director of Nursing, Maryland
We’re delighted to welcome back Kate McCulloch, RN, BSN, as our Director of Nursing.
Kate’s extensive experience in home care and care management, along with her deep dedication to supporting seniors, makes her an invaluable leader. A University of Delaware graduate and former OR nurse, she took time to raise her three children before returning to her passion—enhancing the lives of aging adults.
Outside of work, Kate enjoys time with her teens, her two dogs, exercising, and reading.
Nick Porter
Director of Business Development
I joined Assisting Hands in 2023 with a profound commitment to enriching the community I've called home for over four decades. As a longstanding resident of Montgomery County, I intimately understand the pulse and needs of our community. Witnessing the growing concerns and inquiries surrounding the care of loved ones, I felt a compelling mission to join Assisting Hands and become a resource, advocate, and educator for people seeking to remain comfortable at home, wherever that is.
For the past 25 years, I've immersed myself in the vibrant DC restaurant scene, serving as a general manager for esteemed establishments such as The Cheesecake Factory and the Jose Andres Group. While in the industry, I focused on cultivating lasting partnerships and strategic business development, however, my true motivation stems from a profound dedication to providing unparalleled customer service, deeply grounded in compassion.
I’ve spent many days supporting the volunteer efforts at World Central Kitchen and humanitarian efforts surrounding the food community. I am also heavily involved with fundraising at National Medical Center. We sponsor a championship team every year to support the Race for Every Child. I understand the importance of great health care for young and old alike.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife and two wonderful children. We enjoy the outdoors just as much as family movie night. We are devoted to our love of basketball, gymnastics, and evening Jeopardy.
PHILLIP PERELAS
Business Development Manager
Phillip Perelas is a dedicated member of the Assisting Hands Home Care team. With a deep belief in compassion and empathy, Phillip is committed to empowering families and enriching lives. He strives to make a positive impact on individuals and families in the home care industry. Guided by a commitment to educate and support families, Phillip is passionate about helping them navigate the challenges and joys of aging in place successfully. With a focus on continuous learning, Phillip stays current on the latest research and best practices to provide the highest quality of care for clients. Working alongside the team at Assisting Hands Home Care, Phillip is inspired by their unwavering dedication. Beyond his work, Phillip enjoys 3D Printing and Design, Photography, and spending time with family.
JEANNETTE HAND, RN
NURSE MANAGER
Nursing is Jeannette’s 3rd career. She started out thinking she would like to be a Paralegal and was going to school for that while working as a Legal Secretary. She became a stay-at-home mom for 3 children, which she considers her most important job. When her oldest left for college, she started down the path of Nursing School. She took 3 years to do all the prerequisite courses and then completed 2 years of Nursing School at Frederick Community College, graduating from nursing school the same year her youngest child graduated from High School! Her background in nursing is in the Nursing Home/Rehab setting. Her last job, prior to joining Assisting Hands, was as a Wound Nurse. It is a happy coincidence that her last name is Hand!
LAURA RODRIGUEZ, RN, BSN
STAFF NURSE
Laura Rodriguez is a registered nurse with five years of experience. Laura moved to the United States in 2011 from Colombia, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education and linguistics. She began her nursing career in 2014 as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). She worked as a CNA at Assisting Hands for over a year while studying to become an RN. She graduated in 2017 from Montgomery College with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). In 2019, she completed the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)program at The George Washington University (GWU). She worked as a pediatric nurse for four years, which allowed her to have a deeper involvement in her children’s development and health. Parallel to this job, she also worked for over a year as a home health nurse caring for a patient with quadriplegia. She is currently enrolled in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) master’s program at GWU. She is now enjoying being back with Assisting Hands in her role as a Nurse Supervisor, which has given her the opportunity to apply her leadership and management skills to improve the quality of care that is provided to the clients.
MARIANNE BAILEY
Digital Marketing & Communications Manager
Marianne Bailey is the Manager of Communication and Digital Outreach for Assisting Hands Potomac. She has over 20 years of experience in the senior industry, with a strong focus on helping older adults feel confident using modern technology. She also holds a degree in Digital Marketing and Communication.
Marianne lives in Ohio and is a proud mom to her grown daughter. She also has a golden retriever, Othello. In her free time, she enjoys riding her bike, reading, continual learning, and spending time with her daughter and dog.
MARY BETH MAY
Intake Coordinator
Mary Beth May is often the first friendly voice a family hears when reaching out to Assisting Hands of Potomac. As Intake Coordinator, she is much more than a point of contact—she is a dedicated guide who transforms the overwhelming search for home care into a clear, organized, and supported journey. Her passion for seniors is deeply personal. As a member of the "Sandwich Generation" currently balancing the needs of her own aging parents, she truly understands the emotional weight families carry. Mary Beth has previously guided residents, whom she considers "family," as they transition into assisted living communities. These residents and their families have relied upon Mary Beth as a trusted ally, who ensures that everyone feels heard and respected from their very first conversation.
With a professional foundation that includes an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a CPA license, Mary Beth brings a unique level of organizational precision to the intake process. She uses these analytical skills to navigate complex logistics—from VA authorizations for veterans to setting appointments to diligent follow-up—allowing families to step away from the paperwork and focus on spending quality time with their loved ones. For Mary Beth, every call is an opportunity to turn a challenging transition into a positive, empowered new chapter. Away from work, she finds energy in traveling, attending live music or comedy shows, or relaxing on the beach with a good book. She lives in Rockville with her quick-witted husband, their youngest daughter (two others successfully launched), and their lovable dog, Sammi, the queen of their castle.
