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September 23, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 15
Tom Fellman: still going full tilt
The yin and yang of Howard Kooper
by OZZIE NOGG by OZZIE NOGG The first thing I noticed when I entered Tom Fellman’s If a Martian landed in Omaha and said, “Take me to your office was an honest-to-goodness, neon-flashing pinball leaders,” Howard Kooper’s office would be one of the alien’s machine. A longer look around the office (from which first stops. Described by a friend as “the guy who makes Fellman is often absent) revealed a motorcycle airbag vest, things happen”, Kooper’s deal-making, fund-raising fingerski poles, ski boots, athletic shoes, a Wilson basket ball, a prints are all over many important building projects in our radio controlled miniature army jeep and a plush, doggie- Jewish (and non-Jewish) community. The Residences at shaped, big-enough-toOne Pacific Place. Beth El nap-on bean-bag from Synagogue. The Fitness F.A.O. Schwarz. But the Center and CDC on the toys (intended for Tom’s JCC Campus. The Rose grandkids to play with Blumkin Jewish Home. when they visit his office) Broadmoor Apartments at and the sporting gear Ak-Sar-Ben Village. Some clearly don’t distract impressive list for a man Fellman from his work at who, in his teens, wanted Broadmoor Development, to be a doctor. “I gave up where he and his business that idea after watching a partner, Howard Kooper, movie that showed a neuhave racked up considerrological operation,” able success. “My dad, Kooper said. “Too bloody Leon Fellman, taught me for me.” the love of real estate. Medicine now off his list, When I was young, he Kooper graduated with a took me to countless projBusiness Administration Tom Fellman and Howard Kooper ects that he was looking at degree from UNL and then or working on. That’s tried law school. “I where is all began for me. enrolled at Creighton as a Then he took me to the promise to my dad, Bob horse track and showed Kooper. He always stressed me how the horses wear the importance of educablinders on their eyes so tion, how no one can take they don’t get confused by it away from you.” After what everyone else is one year of course work in doing.” (A-ha. Focus on Civil Procedure, Litigation what you’re doing. Smart.) Strategy and Appellate Tommy’s sisters, Nancy Briefs, Howard said byeRips and Janie Pickus, bye to the Bar. “I couldn’t describe Tom as the consee myself sitting in an summate “idea man” with office all day, doing that a unique vision that lets kind of work.” Broadmoor at Aksarben Village complex. him see a piece of property In 1977 Kooper and his and instinctively understand how best to develop it. “like a brother” friend, Tommy Fellman, launched Fellman’s first project involved building two houses at 52nd Broadmoor Development Company which currently owns and W Street on a lot owned by his dad. He started his own and manages over thirty-five apartment communities in company in 1966 and about ten years later joined forces Nebraska and Iowa. The Fellman-Kooper partnership was a with Kooper, building apartment communities in Omaha natural fit for the two young entrepreneurs. “At the time, I and surrounding areas. The best advice he ever received was involved in Kooper Investments -- a solo venture. came from his father. “My dad always told me you have to Tommy was already a real estate broker and I was working make more right decisions than wrong ones, that nobody out of a closet-sized space I’d rented in one of his buildings. makes good decisions all the time, but you have to work on Tom’s office was six doors away and he kept coming over to making more good ones.” discuss deals.” Tom offered Howard a piece of a Hinky“Omaha has a positive image in its own right,” Fellman Dinky shopping center in Fremont. Next, an apartment that said, “and I’m not sure our buildings have any bearing on the pair went on to syndicated to other investors under the that fact. But we’ve had fun building them. It’s fun to see name of T&H Realty. “The challenge,” Kooper said, “is how people really enjoy living in our different apartments doing the deal. Whether you can make it work. T&H Realty and the sense of community we’ve established. I built was as good a deal as we’ve ever done.” Thomasville Apartments when I was twenty-five years old, An only child, Kooper describes himself as “stubborn, and forty-four years later people are still living out there and selfish, I always want my way.” He prefers working with enjoying it. A very wise, older real estate developer once small groups of people rather than with committees. “More told me that real estate was never meant for the first owner can be accomplished by dictatorship,” he said, smiling. In to hold onto, meaning the first owner usually went broke the same breath Kooper quoted one of his mentors, Jack and had to sell it off to someone else. In the mid-70s there Marer. “Jack advised me that a bad settlement is better than were plenty of struggles that made it plenty difficult for me a good law suit. That’s a reality. It’s better to make a deal to hold on, but I’ve always loved watching our communities through compromise rather than hold out.” Howard also and how much the people who live there enjoy it.” referenced his father. “My dad felt you had to give back to “I used to work very hard and I loved every minute of it,” the community. Hopefully he’s someplace where he can hear Fellman continued. Still hyperactive and busy, he’s always what I’m saying now, because I used to argue with him a lot.” ready for the next adventure. “I wake up every day ready to (Interesting concept. A ‘dictator’ who compromises. A ‘selfgo. I don’t need a battery charger.” Fellman and Darlynn, his ish’ guy who gives back to the community. Howard Kooper. wife of 41 years, live most of the time in Aspen, Colorado. An anomaly, for sure.) “Darlynn’s the one who keeps me organized and grounded.” Dr. Dennis Beavers, a confidant with whom Kooper My recent email interview with Tom went like this: speaks almost every night, shed light on his friend’s contraWho do you go to for advice? dictory nature. “Howard is funny, eccentric, a tough busiDarlynn, Howard and a couple close friends. ness man. You don’t get to be successful by having everyWhat do you do to relax? body love you. On the other hand, he’s one of the most kindTake my dog for a walk, sit on my patio with a Bud Light. hearted, benevolent people I know. What Howard does in What books are you currently reading? public is obvious, but the private stuff... that’s another story. None. My twin sister, Nancy, does all the reading for me. If he sees a TV show about a poor single mom who has to Name the best gift you ever received. wash her kids clothes by hand in the bath tub, he’s apt to Darlynn. Our children Louri, Bruce and Ted; and nowa- send her a washer and dryer. I chide him constantly about days our grandkids, Rachel, Josh, Samantha and Tommy his Jewish guilt.” Joanie Jacobson, another friend, also comSullivan, and Leo Pine Fellman. mented on Kooper’s generosity. “Howard is all about comIf you could change one thing about yourself, what would munity building,” she said. “Both he and Tom have hearts as it be? big as their apartment complexes.” More patient. Patience has never been my strong suit. Kooper’s heart is wide open to his wife, Sharon, his kids What’s your typical way of dealing with conflict? and grandkids -- upon whom he dotes. His advice to them, Quickly. Very quickly. and his wishes for them, mirror his own experience. “Find Continued on page 17 Continued on page 17
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