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Jerome M. Zaslow
Jerome M. Zaslow (Jerry) is a native Philadelphian who graduated from South Philadelphia High School for Boys in 1943. He never expected to attend college but a young salesman empl...view moreJerome M. Zaslow (Jerry) is a native Philadelphian who graduated from South Philadelphia High School for Boys in 1943. He never expected to attend college but a young salesman employed in his fathers linen & curtain shop advised Jerry to attend college even if you never use it.
Jerry sought the advice of his mother who dropped out of high school at age 14. She said, ok, if you want to go, and suggested the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania because her father, an immigrant tailor, had a customer who was a professor at Wharton and was such a nice man.
Jerrys 4 year Wharton education was completed in 7 year-round semesters and he graduated in October, 1945 at the age of 20 whereupon he joined the family business, founded in 1931 by his father, Irving. Jerry changed the business model in 1952 to a wholesale textile bid business that catered to government agencies and institutions, worldwide.
The company name was changed to ATD-American Co. (ATD) when business & institutional office furniture was added to the product line. Later, law enforcement products were included and the day after 9/11, ATD acquired 104 year old Thomaston Mills, the last textile company in the U.S. manufacturing bedsheets and pillow cases. In February of 2008, ATD acquired Adirondack Direct, a $20,000,000 furniture catalog company that focuses on the church, school & business markets.
Currently, ATD, with 200 valued employees, is approaching the $100,000,000 mark and its mission is to grow. Janet Wischnia, a Drexel University MBA and Jerrys oldest daughter, is President and CEO of ATD while Jerry is Chairman of the Board and Chief Strategist. Jerry and his wife, the former Anne Kalcheim, live in Jenkintown, PA. They have three married daughters and eight grandchildren.view less
Books by Jerome M. Zaslow
The Time of My Life: What Boomers and Other Kids Should Know, by a Guy Old Enough to Be Their Dad