Board of Directors

Kristin Belger

a self-employed graphic designer, has operated Litm! Creative Solutions since March 1996. Kristin graduated Rutgers University in Newark with a B.A. in Graphic Design. Kristin and husband Jeff are the proud parents of Michael’s Feat baby, Nathaniel Jefferson Belger (8/18/05-3/30/06). They reside in Manasquan, NJ.

Philip I. Brilliant, CHMM, LSRP

is the founder of Brilliant Environmental Services, LLC (BES); a full-service environmental consulting and contracting firm with offices in Toms River and Pennsylvania. Phil is a graduate of Rutgers University and was appointed by Governor Christie in 2010 to the NJ Site Remediation Professional Licensing Board. Phil resides in Toms River and has three daughters; Andrea, Jessica and Sara.

Tara Cadet

is a communications professional who currently works for Green Room Communications. Tara earned her BA from the University of Delaware; her MA from Monmouth University and recently graduated from the Saint Peter’s University MBA program summa cum laude. The Michael's Feat mission is very close to her heart as Tara and her husband Jason are the proud parents of son Carter (Michael’s Feat baby).

Susan Hudome, MD

Medical Director and Neonatologist at Monmouth Medical Center NICU, was Michael’s doctor and now honors Michael’s memory by providing strategic vision as well as assistance in fundraising to Michael’s Feat. Susan and her husband Tom have four children; Grace, Matthew, Timothy, and Claire.

Amy Krok

serves as Vice-Chair of the Fund. She is an active fundraiser, who constantly generates new ideas to raise awareness and to raise funds. Amy and husband John have two children; Lily and Andrew (Michael’s Feat baby). Amy is a Project Manager in the Operational and Clinical Effectiveness Group at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, NJ.

Dana Puharic

Michael’s mother and Michael’s Feat co-founder. She and Adam have three other children; Grace, Grant and Victoria

Thomas J. Reiff

is retired after serving over 28 years at the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, the last ten years as chief of the Law Enforcement Division. He has been an avid volunteer for Michael’s Feat, along with wife Patty and daughters Kaitlynn and Rebecca, since its inception.

Alison Schrager

and her husband Michael were introduced to Michael’s Feat upon the birth of their preemie twins. Alison brings new energy to the fund and is always promoting the mission. She has served as the Spring Gala Chairperson for the past 10 years. She and Michael have three children; Catie, Andrew and Nicole (Michael’s Feat babies).

Adam Puharic

Michael’s Father and Michael’s Feat Co-Founder, is the President and Owner of Puharic and Associates, Inc., Insurance and Risk Managers in Manasquan NJ.

Cristina Olsen

became involved with Michael’s Feat after the very early arrival of her son in 2006. She is the Assistant Principal at Lloyd Road School in the Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District. Cristina lives in Little Silver with her husband, Fred, and their three wonderful boys, Pierce, Leo (Michael’s Feat baby) and Ty.

Christine Colasuonno

is the business owner of RC Landscaping and Lawn Maintenance along with her husband Rich, and Sr. Administrative Assistant for The MITRE Corporation in Eatontown, NJ. She is also the past Chair of the Michael’s Feat Wine Tasting events.

Michelle Hurley

Senior Account Executive Press Communications, LLC has been an active supporter for years, and serves as the chairperson for the Annual 107.1 Radiothon and Mistletoe Rock benefiting the charity.

Advisory Board

Kim Aufiero, RNC, Registered Nurse, is currently the Nurse Manager of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at K.Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ.

Tracy Bean, MSW, LSW, previously a Michael’s Feat Board Member, is a licensed Social Worker in the State of New Jersey. She and husband Jim have two sons; Max and Alex (AJ, Michael’s Feat baby). They reside in Belmar, NJ.

Margaret (Peggy) Bertorelli, BSN, is a retired School Nurse and the proud Grandmother of 8.

Melissa Fornoro is the Michael’s Feat Gala Co-chair. She and husband Jay were introduced to Michael’s Feat upon the birth of their preemie twins. Melissa is a Kindergarten teacher in Toms River and an incredible fundraiser for the charity. She and Jay have three children; Nick, Joey (Michael’s Feat babies) and Anthony.

Penny Geis, RNC-NIC, is a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at JSUMC. Penny was introduced to Michael’s Feat while caring for seriously ill newborns and serves as a liaison between families and Michael’s Feat. Penny and husband Dan have two children, Danielle and Kylie and a granddaughter, Madison.

Patricia Lamberti, RNC, has been a registered nurse in the NICU at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ for 36 years. She was Michael’s primary nurse and now honors his memory by serving as a family liaison and volunteer. She lives in Rumson, NJ with her son Lucas.

Janine Long, RNC-NIC, is a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at JSUMC. For over 16 years Janine dedicated her career to taking care of the most fragile of babies, and is a liaison between the families and Michael’s Feat. She has a son, Tyler.

Karen Long, BSN, RNC, previously a Michael’s Feat Board Member, is a registered nurse in the NICU at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ. Karen was one of Michael’s nurses.

Penny McDaniel is SVP, Regional Manager of Investors Bank in Morganville, NJ.

Kaitlyn Reiff, APN-BC, MSN, is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in Neurology and Neuro-Oncology at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ.

Patty Reiff, BSN, CCRN, CPAN, is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit at Jersey Shore University Medical Center since 1981.

Rebecca Rummel, MSN, RN-BC, CCRN, APN-BC, is a Nurse Practitioner for Shore Pulmonary and also works as a nurse practitioner for cardiac surgery at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center. She lives with her husband Nick in Farmingdale, NJ.

Patricia Schneck, RNC, is a Registered Nurse and married to her husband, George. She is retired from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at K.Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ where she was introduced to Michael’s Feat in 2003 while caring for seriously ill newborns and serving as a liaison between families and Michael’s Feat.

Matt Mastrorilli is the Vice President of Privatel in Spring Lake Heights. He and his wife Melissa have three children.

Matthew W. Taylor is the Senior Vice President at Buckman, Buckman & Reid, Inc. Members of FINRA, SIPC.

Kristen Pakla was introduced to Michael’s Feat when her son Zack was born 10 weeks early in 2013, and spent 75 days in the NICU. She is an active volunteer and is an elementary school teacher in Woodbridge. Kristen is married to Alex and has two sons, Zack and Jackson.

Cassady McManus was introduced to Michael’s Feat when her daughter Piper Claire was born four months early, weighing 1 pound and 6 ounces. She and her husband Bobby Beejack actively volunteer and fundraise for the charity. They were the 2018 Spring Gala Honored Family, and Cassady is the co-chair of the 2020 Spring Gala.

TREASURER: Neven Puharic, CPA, Michael’s Godfather, serves as Treasurer and Chairman of the Michael’s Feat Finance Committee and principal at Arbor Tax & Accounting Services. Neven invests immeasurable time making sure the financial records are accurate, and that they clearly represent Michael’s Feat contributions to the community. His wife Dawn helps to maintain the Michael’s Feat website and plays a major role in raising awareness and connecting with families. They have three children; Alex, Ryan, and Kathryn.

ATTORNEY: Bob Schillberg Esq. has been practicing law since 1986 and is currently managing his own law firm, Robert Schillberg LLC, located in Red Bank NJ. He serves as legal counsel for Michael’s Feat and his time and efforts for the benefit of the fund have been invaluable. Bob and wife Marie have two daughters; Allison and Amanda.

SECRETARY: Jen Caputo is the secretary for the fund. Her enthusiasm and good work ethic aid in the success of the charity. She and her husband Nick have two daughters; Gina and Anna.