Biography of Doug Heller

Douglas J Heller, a resident of Springfield Township for over 15 years, is a successful businessman and familiar face in his community — a committed member of many neighborhood, historical, and civic organizations. Doug is a dedicated citizen who volunteers countless hours every week to improving his street, neighborhood, and township.

Doug was one of the key individuals involved in preserving the historic Black Horse Inn on Bethlehem Pike, which won the 2006 Community Action Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. Doug also serves on the Board of Directors of Hope Lodge Historic Site, on Bethlehem Pike, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Independence Hall Association — the nonprofit organization founded in 1942 to create Independence National Historical Park and to honor our nation's shrines.

Doug has a track record of leadership and innovation that he hopes to utilize to bring new resources to Springfield Township. He will work tirelessly as he has his entire career. He hopes to help build safer roads and more livable communities. Just as Doug believes in preserving our history, he believes in building a bright future. With hard work, commitment, experience, and integrity Doug hopes to have the opportunity to give back to the Township he loves, and build a better place for our families, and for our children.

Doug was born in 1954, one of four children. His father was a professor and chair of the Computer Science Department at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. His mother was a middle school art teacher.

Doug was educated at the University of Rochester, where he studied in American History, journalism, and music. Doug has spent his professional career seeking exciting challenges and opportunities. He has been a leader and an innovator throughout his career, at the cutting edge of several industries — from publishing, to education, to internet design and development. He began his career as a typesetter and then as the editor of crossword puzzles for several national magazines.

He not only edited the puzzles, he architected a computer system for the production of the magazines, from puzzle creation through printing. He worked for two publishing companies, the only survivors in their field today. With current New York Times Crossword Editor Will Shortz, Doug helped found the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, which continues annually. Doug and the tournament were recently featured in the documentary film Wordplay.

Based on his business success, Doug was hired by Kappa Publishing in Fort Washington, where he quickly worked his way to become a Vice President of the company.

Doug left to pursue a new business opportunity. With two partners he founded Beyond Books, Inc., the world's first exclusive producer of interactive online curricula and educational resources for middle and high school students. Deeply committed to education, Doug worked with a team of educators, writers, and curriculum developers to pioneer the tools for the next generation of students.

The Montgomery County-based company immediately took off, with over 1,000 schools across the nation subscribing. The company won numerous awards including the District Administration Award and becoming Media & Methods Magazine's 2001 Portfolio Winner. Doug and his partners sold the company to Seattle-based Apex Learning, a company founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

Doug began working full-time as an internet designer and developer. He has created and advised on websites for dozens of clients, often focusing on history and education sites. Past clients have included America Online, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Partnership for International Education, Heritage Vision, National History Day Philadelphia, the National Museum of American Jewish History, Center for Professional Advancement, and Sequoia Public Relations (partial list).

On top of his full-time work and board positions, for years Doug has volunteered much of his time developing the Independence Hall Association's website, USHistory.org. It was his love, passion, and newfound commitment to provide a wealth of American history resources for students across the country.

Today USHistory.org has gained visitation larger than most corporations' websites, with over 45 million page-views per year. Some of the most visited pages on the site include those on America's historic documents, Benjamin Franklin, and Betsy Ross and the American Flag. USHistory.org has won awards and honors from Forbes magazine, USA Today, and the History Channel.

A self-professed history buff, Doug lives in a freshly painted Victorian, always with his "Betsy Ross" American Flag flying proudly from the front porch. Doug and his partner Nancy Parsons are well known on their block, popular with the neighbors who come to their regular film screenings, barbecues, and other get-togethers. Doug has two sons: a 21-year old entering his senior year at New York University, and a 26-year-old who works as a regional planner in Philadelphia.

Doug continues his internet work, building USHistory.org, his preservation work, and his volunteer positions. However, more and more, he has been seeking new venues for improving his community. Doug hopes to have the opportunity as your next Township Commissioner to carry forward his impressive experience in business and education, his love of history, and his commitment to his community.