Deborah Portman

Deborah is the founder and owner of Relocation Support for Seniors (RSS) with its’ corporate office in DeLand, FL. Prior to beginning the company in 1997, Debbie and her husband founded and operated an insurance brokerage firm in Ohio. And while bringing up two daughters, Debbie worked for 10 years directing resident activities for a senior citizen complex. She has also managed many life transitions in her own family with aging parents and grandparents – “This is where it all begins; learning to understand the challenges of balancing family, elder care and career issues,” comments Debbie.

Concurrently, Deb has served as an advocate for seniors through her participation on boards of directors for individual senior communities, associations of senior homes, a hospital women’s advisory board, and a community support foundation. She is a founding member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers. Debbie’s professional experience in Florida directing financial development and volunteers for nonprofit agencies serving seniors in Volusia and Flagler counties led her to focus on her personal mission of providing therapeutic and social services to seniors during their relocation transitions. Thus RRS came to be. Over the past 9 years, RSS has helped 100’s of older adults. Deborah summarizes by saying “Each move is unique and each client relationship is special. It has been the most rewarding experience of my professional career to build and grow a business that provides a needed service to the senior community. The greatest reward, at the end of each day, is to see our clients happily settled in their new home and ready to enjoy this (wonderful) new chapter in their life.”

Tracey Venturini

Tracey, a Network Manager in the Columbus, Ohio territory relates her fortunate experiences as a child and teen; she grew up knowing her grandparents and great grandparents. She comes from good genes too; her great grandfather lived to be 105. And as a child, she went to work with her mom, an activities director in a local nursing home. Tracey would work on various projects with the senior residents and “I’d sing and dance for them, too!” said Tracey. Later, as a high school senior, she worked at that same facility as a receptionist where during her lunch break she’d visit with a special resident, her great grandfather.

And it’s a blessing that one of Tracey’s unique contributions to RSS is her patience . . . “I’m a mom to twin 8 year olds and a 7 year old and I need and have a lot of patience!” she says.

All of life’s transitions require this skill and Tracey notes that seniors, facing what seems and often is an overwhelming move, “Really need our patience”.

Tracey also brings to RSS several years of college in accounting and business, as well as, 5 years working experience in banking where she was a personal account executive and managed many senior client portfolios.

Jessica McInturff

Jess, the corporate office support administrator, is often the first voice or face of RSS to the clients we serve. AND, she is also a packer and move facilitator when she is needed. She’s known for her flexibility and versatility.

Jessica’s organization and computer skills are essential to the operation of RSS and its (multiple locations.) Jess brings 5 years experience with a hospital systems company doing computer technical support and trouble shooting. She has also worked in a childcare preschool as a teacher and operations director for 4 years, having fulfilled the required college courseware and certification.

When Jess was in high school her grandmother became ill with cancer. Jess helped the hospice care workers when her mom was at work. Later, Jess was responsible for organizing, sorting, packing and moving her grandmother’s belongings; perhaps her first “relocation support” job.

Jess recalls when working in a restaurant that her managers frequently referred to her as an “old people magnet”! Older customers returned often, always asking to be served by Jess where she showered them with attention and patience.

Robyn Antonovich

Robyn, a Move Facilitator for RSS in Ocala, FL has spent most of her past 24 year career working with seniors as an Opthalmic Assistant involved in surgical processes and care continuity for elderly patients. “Transitioning through surgery and through a MOVE are similar processes,” Robyn observes. Each brings many stresses and challenges.

She sees one of her major contributions at RRS as being ‘super organized’. “I also love settling our clients and decorating their new homes,” Robyn says. She views the most important aspect of our services as being empathetic and caring. So, when she finishes each unique move, Robyn feels a sense of accomplishment “when I know everything and everyone is tucked in for the night.”

Robyn summarizes by saying that “from start to finish, the client is always first. While each move has its’ own challenges, we work as a team to accomplish a positive outcome. I love what I do!”

Mary Ellen Collins

Mary Ellen researched her files (clippings of interesting retirement projects) and called Deborah Portman to see if RSS needed any help. Now, three years later, Mary Ellen says she has packed more kitchens than she can count in Volusia and Lake Counties in Central Florida. “My Mom taught me to pack a china barrel (and they were barrels back then) by the time I was 12. Finally, getting to do Mom’s china cabinet was a real vote of confidence!” And since then, Mary Ellen counts her personal moves in the ’20 something.

As a former human resource consultant, adult educator and community volunteer, “I’ve worked with people in all stages and life transitions,” Mary Ellen remarks. She feels the most significant feature of RSS service is the big smile on the faces of staff and clients at the end of each move – “it’s a total win-win.” The emotional support combined with the physical accomplishment is awesome.

In addition to working as a contract packer, Mary Ellen finds time to garden, read, play Mah Jongg and volunteer at her church.

Deborah Nutting

As a contract packer in Deland, FL, Deborah brings over 18 years of experience in health care. She has also owned and operated a successful small business which included working with many senior clients. “You don’t work as a licensed cosmetologist for 21 years and NOT know people and their individual needs,” says Deborah. Having personally experienced the transition and stress of 12 moves in recent years Deborah is very empathetic, and super organized with RSS clients.

Among her credentials, Deborah lists an associate’s degree for Occupational Therapy Assistant, certificates in Phlebotomy, and the National Federation of Professional Trainers. “Oh, and another thing,” Deb adds, “I have a passion for jazz music”. She can be heard belting out “My Funny Valentine” or “Misty” with the Deborah Nutting Trio at open mike’s around town!