Meet Your Speakers
Tyler AndersonVice President of Business Development Precoa Tyler Anderson is vice president of business development at Precoa. Through his leadership and extensive experience in the profession, his team helps funeral homes expand market share and grow through preneed. His unwavering passion for helping families experience a meaningful funeral service is reflected by Precoa’s commitment to share the value of ritual, ceremony, and gathering through the highest quality preneed. He has presented on the topics of business, marketing, sales, and workplace culture at NFDA, ICCFA, Selected Independent's Annual Meeting, the Funeral Service Business Plan Conference, the Emerging Leaders University Conference, and the CFDA, TFDA, SCFDA, and OFDA conventions. Learning Lab: Reach More Families: How to Turn the Tide Against Direct Disposition
| Jason BargerAuthor/Speaker/Consultant Step Back Leadership Consulting, LLC Jason Barger is committed to engaging the minds and hearts of people in order to strengthen leadership, culture, and clarity of mission, vision and values. He is a globally celebrated Author/Speaker/Consultant and creator of the “Step Back from the Baggage Claim” Movement – featured in the New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, Kiplinger, Book TV, and many other spots worldwide. His is also the author of the books “Remember”, “Thermostat Cultures” and “Breathing Oxygen” which reached #1 in Amazon’s new release categories. He is also the host of “The Thermostat” podcast. Prior to sleeping in airports and observing human behavior, Barger led over 1700 people to construct 125 houses internationally for families living in poverty as well as implemented the Streets Mission Project to serve the homeless on the streets of Columbus, Ohio. As the former Director of First Community Church’s Camp Akita, he designed programming focused on living with joy, love, compassion, faith, and service for over 1900 campers a summer. Jason is a graduate of Denison University, where he served as Captain of the men’s basketball team, and also received certification from Georgetown University in Nonprofit Executive Management. In 2004, he was one of five people in Columbus, Ohio to receive a Jefferson Award, a national award given to “Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things”. In 2014, he was selected as a 40 Under 40 award winner by Business First. Jason is a sought-after Keynote Speaker, visionary, and consultant. As founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting LLC, he works with organizations that are passionate about Culture Change, Leadership Development, Innovation, Service, and bringing their Mission to life every day. He’s served and partnered with global brands like Nationwide Insurance, Kaiser Permanente, Wendy’s, NetJets, IBM, Caribou Coffee, Deloitte, and many many more. Jason is passionate about his family and travels from Columbus, Ohio all around the world to engage the minds and hearts of people. You can learn more at JasonVBarger.com or follow on social media @JasonVBarger. Keynote: Breathing Oxygen
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Jeffrey P. Bellefleur, B.S., M.S., M.D.Anesthesiologist Dr. Bellefleur graduated from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1990. After two years in an OB/Gyn residency, he completed a residency in Anesthesiology, followed by a Fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesia at Children's Hospital of Michigan. He remained on staff at CHM as a member of both the cardiac team and the spinal fusion team. Dr. Bellefleur was recruited to William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan where he practiced for twenty years until his retirement in 2020. During his tenure at Beaumont, he was the Division Chief for several years. Dr Bellefleur’s interest in funeral service and embalming began at the age of ten. In 2013, his passion was further fostered when he became friends with Sharon Gee-Mascarello after a chance meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa. Dr. Bellefleur was selected by Gee-Mascarello to serve as an Editorial Consultant to “Embalming: History, Theory, and Practice, Sixth Edition”. Dr Bellefleur is an advocate for enhancing a better relationship between medicine and funeral service in hopes of providing excellent care for patients at the end of their lives. Preconvention Embalming Seminar: Implantable Devices and Therapies: What You May Not Know
| Tim BridgersSVP - Head of Funeral Home and Cemetery Live Oak Bank Tim Bridgers is the Senior Vice President of the Funeral Home and Cemetery Lending team at Live Oak Bank. As a former business owner, Tim understands the challenges that business owners face. Combined with his extensive experience in financing, Tim’s team has provided over $760 million in loans nationwide to owners of funeral homes, cemeteries, and cremation businesses. He recently served as a Trustee for the Selected Educational Trust board, on the advisory board of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, and serves on the fund development committee for the Funeral Service Foundation. Tim and his team of non-commissioned financing experts maintain an undeniable focus on helping funeral home and cemetery owners make the right financial decisions for their business’s long-term success. Their goal is solely to help you reach your goals. Imagine speaking to a lender who understands all phases of your business and not having to explain the terminology and nuances of the funeral profession. This provides more time to establish a meaningful business relationship with you. Tim studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Business at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and completed his Finance degree at Liberty University. Tim completed his MBA at UNC Chapel Hill with a concentration in leadership and finance. This diverse education prepared Tim for success in sales, marketing, and management. Tim is dedicated to assisting small business owners in the funeral profession to become and remain successful with Live Oak Bank’s products and services. Tim has presented at ICCFA, NFDA, and Selected National meetings on several occasions over the past 6 years on topics of key metrics, succession, acquisition, employee empowerment, and financing. Tim has also spoken at mortuary colleges across the US, teaching graduate students about cash flow and business. In addition, Tim has spoken at Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, and other state association educational events. Learning Lab: Funeral Business Financing: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes
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Amie L. BurrOffice Manager Krill Funeral Service, Inc. Amie L. Burr was the lead trainer for the grief therapy dogs for Krill Funeral Service. Her work with a trainer from Pawsible Angels led to the dogs to become certified as AKC Good Citizens and Certified Grief Therapy dogs. Her background is diverse. Amie has worked in the corporate world as a manager of project managers for 15 years before joining the Krill Funeral Home as Office Manager. She also works part time for her church. Learning Lab: Grief Therapy Dogs, A Benefit to Your Client Families
| Gary M. Burr, CFSPFuneral Director & EmbalmerOFDA Past President Krill Funeral Service, Inc. Gary M. Burr, CFSP has been licensed in Ohio as a Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1994 and in Indiana since 2000. He served as President of OFDA 2019-2020; He has given numerous presentations to OFDA groups from District meetings to OFDA Conventions. He served on a panel discussion virtual for NFDA to discuss COVID-19 preparations. Learning Lab: Grief Therapy Dogs, A Benefit to Your Client Families
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Melanie Carr, Ph.D.Director of Sales DevelopmentFuneral Directors Life Dr. Melanie Carr has worked in the funeral industry for the past 13 years. During this time, she has served in both business to consumer and business to business roles. She currently is a Director of Sales Development for Funeral Directors Life overseeing North Central Texas and the state of Arkansas. Dr. Carr’s educational credentials include a B.A. in Communications from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, a M.A. in Human Services from Liberty University, and a Ph.D. in Performance Psychology from Grand Canyon University. Melanie researched the topic of emotional intelligence and occupational stress while working on her dissertation. Her findings led her to write “Emotional Intelligence for Funeral Directors: The Secret to Less Stress and Burnout at Work.” Since its release, Dr. Carr has hosted workshops and spoken on this subject to various funeral homes, groups and association. She was also featured in an issue of American Funeral Directors magazine. Learning Lab: Emotional Intelligence for Funeral Directors
| Chris CrugerChief Executive OfficerThe Foresight Companies Chris Cruger is seen as an innovator and thought leader in the funeral and cemetery industry. His great success is based on his exceptional ability to provide comprehensive solutions to intricate business challenges that leaders in our industry are faced with. Chris continues to successfully improve Foresight’s operational and transactional services. Since joining Foresight, he has demonstrated his passion and ability to help our clients and implemented some key initiatives to further expand the company. As one of the foremost authorities in the funeral and cemetery profession, Chris has the knowledge to provide efficient solutions to businesses of all sizes in our profession. His passion and desire for the development of the profession come through in everything that he does. Learning Lab: If Not Now, When? – The Truth About Your Business Succession
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Laura DempseyDirector of Preneed Trust Operations Ohio Funeral Directors Association Laura Dempsey has worked for the Ohio Funeral Directors Association (OFDA) since 2014 and is currently the Director of Preneed Trust Operations. She oversees the daily Trust operations, assists with Master Trust oversight, creates marketing materials, maintains website content and is the editor of the weekly eNewsletter, the Digital Director. Laura is the past chair of the Trinity Lutheran School, school board, a volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Ohio Chapter and has previously volunteered for the annual American Lung Association Fight For Air Climb in Columbus, OH. She earned her B.S. at The Ohio State University in 2004; she currently resides in Marysville, OH with her husband, Tommie, and two children, Jackson and Addition. Learning Lab: Write, trust, profit. Repeat!
| John T. FeherSenior Director of Business DevelopmentPrecoa John Feher is Senior Director of Business Development at Precoa. An Ohio Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for over 25 years, John was called to the profession at age 15 after losing a close friend. It is through John’s extensive experience and deep commitment to the profession that he now works closely with funeral homes to grow their preneed and at-need market share. John is a relationship builder who loves to perform charitable work in his spare time, and he is passionate about helping funeral homes through an effective and complete preneed solution so that more families can experience a meaningful service. In addition to his acute insights into current market conditions, John delivers engaging presentations about the competitive advantages of a proactive preneed program. Preconvention Insurance Seminar: Stop Losing Customers: A 3-Part Framework to Easily Grow Your Market
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Donald B. Ferfolia, Jr., J.D., CFSPLicensed Funeral Director Vice President Ferfolia Funeral Home Don is a fourth-generation funeral director involved with his family’s funeral firm in the Southeast Cleveland area. In addition to being a funeral director he is an attorney who is a principal with the law firm of Donald B. Ferfolia, Jr., LTD, located in Brecksville, Ohio. The combination of law, funeral service, and family business experiences have provided Don with a unique skill set that enables him to assist clients in solving many different types of problems. He enjoys helping firms deal with the daily challenges of running a closely held business including regulatory compliance, proactively managing accounts receivable issues and succession planning. Learning Lab: Climbing the VA Tower
| Chrissy FichtnerSenior Trust Administrator Administrative Systems, Inc. (ASI) Chrissy Fichtner is the Senior Trust Administrator for Administrative Systems, Inc (A.S.I.), and has held that position since 2002. She maintains the administration and the record keeping of seven PreNeed Master Trusts Nationally and has worked closely with OFDA for 21 years. Chrissy is a 2020 Franklin University graduate where she earned a B.S. in Accounting. She enjoys volunteering at her church, hiking, and spending time with her family. She resides in Hilliard, OH with her husband Justin, daughter Brenna, son Braeden, and her fur babies Jazzy and Jack. Learning Lab: Write, trust, profit. Repeat!
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Kevin GaffneyRegional Sales VPFuneral Directors Life Kevin has been in the Funeral and Cemetery industry for the past 25 years. He has consulted with funeral homes and cemeteries From Washington D.C. to San Francisco. In June of 2007 he joined Funeral Director’s Life Insurance Company as a Director with responsibilities in Ohio, Kentucky and a variety of development projects, and in 2010 became a Regional Vice President for the eastern U.S. He is actively involved in the International Cemetery and Funeral Association as a member of the Education Foundation Board and Chairman of the Membership Committee. He has also been a speaker at state and national conventions. Preconvention Insurance Seminar: Understanding and protecting Today's Ohio End-of-Life Planners
Preconvention Insurance Seminar: Ethics in the Workplace
| Sharon L. Gee-Mascarello, CFSP, MBIEAuthor, Educator, Funeral Director/Embalmer Sharon L. Gee-Mascarello is a Michigan-licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, retired educator in the Mortuary Science Program at Wayne State University, Detroit, and author of the latest version of Embalming: History, Theory, and Practice, 6th edition, (McGraw-Hill, 2022). Considered the gold standard by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, over 300 new photographs appear in this first full color edition. Gift of Life Michigan recently named Gee-Mascarello as their Champion Funeral Professional of the Year in appreciation for the work she does to build positive collaboration between funeral homes and organ procurement organizations. Her relationship with GOLM and various OPO’s in the country generated a complete revision of Chapter 18: Preparation of Organ and Tissue Donors. As a young person, Gee-Mascarello predicted she would pursue a career in either journalism, clinical psychology, or veterinary medicine. Instead, many personal losses lead her in the direction of funeral service. Gee-Mascarello believes that the kindness imparted through human touch is a hallmark of the helping professions. She cautions that the manner of final disposition selected should never circumvent the fundamentals of postmortem care. Accordingly, she says, “Everyone deserves our efforts to create a clean and compassionate departure. The final bathing and grooming, the at-rest positioning, and pleasing expression are gestures of our humanity”. Gee-Mascarello is often-invited as a speaker at funeral service events and in classrooms. She treasures her interactions with students and colleagues, especially when the conversations explore the diversity of ways in which meaningful decedent care is expressed. A lifelong learner herself, Gee-Mascarello often cites the wisdom of Greek Philosopher Epictetus, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” Preconvention Embalming Seminar: Implantable Devices and Therapies: What You May Not Know
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David A. Ingram, Esq.OFDA General Counsel The Ingram Firm David is a Columbus-based attorney practicing in a range of areas such as emerging businesses and non-profit and tax-exempt organizations. He draws on his experience as the previous executive director for the Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors to serve OFDA and its membership. He enjoys the opportunity to assist funeral service entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses in navigating compliance, licensing, risk, and the unique challenges that they face each day. Learning Lab: The Right of Disposition Referee
| Jake JohnsonPresident and CEO Johnson Consulting Group As a subject matter expert in the funeral and cemetery profession, Jake Johnson has over 25 years experience in funeral service, including speaking in numerous venues at the local, regional, and national level. Events have included keynote speaker appointments, workshops, study groups, breakout sessions, summits, webinars, podcasts, and industry conferences. As a member-emeritus of several boards, Jake’s passion for the industry creates an active learning environment by sharing his knowledge and empowering people to achieve greater success. He recently finished his first book titled, “Staying Alive in the Funeral and Cemetery Profession” and is also a funeral home owner in Sun City, Arizona. Learning Lab: How to Deliver Exceptional Customer Service & See How It Impacts Value
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Michael KachenmeisterMarket Center ManagerFuneral Directors Life Mr. Kachenmeister has over 18 years of sales management, insurance, and financial experience, with the last 10 years dedicated to the insurance industry. He currently holds Life, Accident, and Health Insurance Licenses in Ohio and Michigan. He is also a (CPFP) Certified Professional in Funeral Planning. His educational credentials include an Associate of Arts degree from Owens Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Toledo. He is currently the Market Center Manager, in Ohio, with Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company. Preconvention Insurance Seminar: Understanding and protecting Today's Ohio End-of-Life Planners
Preconvention Insurance Seminar: Ethics in the Workplace
| Barbara Kemmis, CAEExecutive Director Cremation Association of North America (CANA) Barbara Kemmis is Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America where she promotes all things cremation through member programs, education, and strategic partnerships. After more than 20 years of experience in association leadership, Barbara knows that bringing people together to advance common goals is not only fun, but the most effective strategy to get things done. Barbara has served two prior professions as the Director of Member Services at the American Theological Library Association and Vice President of Library and Nonprofit Services at the Donors Forum (now Forefront). Barbara earned a master’s degree in library science from Dominican University, a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from North Park University and a B.A. from Earlham College.
Learning Lab: Cremation is________: Understanding cremation motivations
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Amanda Marie Eilis King, CFSPLicensed Funeral Director & Embalmer B.C. Bailey Funeral Home Amanda Marie Eilis King, CFSP, is an Embalmer and Funeral Director holding licensure in multiple states. She completed her embalming apprenticeship under Vernie R. Fountain, as well as extensive training in postmortem reconstructive work. In addition to her AAS in Mortuary Science from ACC in Colorado, Amanda holds a B.S. from Skidmore College for Studio Art and Biology, and a Post-Baccalaureate degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her approach to Funeral Service is from an artistic standpoint. She is also an educator who specializes in and teaches reconstructive work and cosmetic application. Her contributions in the field outside of the funeral home include articles, illustrations, and photography for trade journals. She also does freelance work as AMEK Graphics and is an embalming specialist with Frigid Fluid Company. Learning Lab: Pediatric Funeral Care
| Greg LogueOwner and President Lake Erie Leadership Development/Crestcom International Greg joined as a Crestcom franchisee in 2020 and serves clients in a 13 county area of Northwest Ohio including the Toledo Metroplex. Additionally, he is the Area Representative for all of Ohio and Kentucky. Prior to his joining Crestcom, Greg spent nearly 25 years in operational positions of increasing responsibility in primarily the agriculture and mining sectors. His final role was that of Chief Operating Officer and his career experience included multiple global assignments including The Netherlands, Canada and Australia. Greg is married to his wife Christine who is an accomplished global artist and curator and has one daughter who currently attends Manhattan College in New York City where she plays Division 1 Softball for the Jaspers. Additionally, in April of 2021, Greg was certified by Crestcom as a PRO Facilitator. This certification process provides client assurance that sessions facilitated by him are engaging, collaborative and truly drive the behavior change Crestcom programs seek to achieve. Learning Lab: Beating Mental Bias
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Leili McMurroughLicensed Funeral Director Attorney at Law Program Director, Worsham College of Mortuary Science Leili McMurrough is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and a licensed attorney. Leili received her B.A. from Lehigh University, her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law, and her Associate degree from Simmons Institute of Funeral Service. Leili is the Program Director at Worsham College and works at McMurrough Funeral Chapel in Libertyville, Illinois. She is also the Chair of the American Board of Funeral Service Education Committee on Accreditation. Keynote: Evolving Funeral Service Education
| Cameron MitchellFounder and CEO Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Cameron Mitchell is the Founder and CEO of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants (CMR), headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, which celebrates 30 years of business in 2023. Over these many years, Mitchell has enjoyed success as a lifelong entrepreneur, accomplished businessman, culinary expert and nationally recognized restaurateur. Cameron’s rise has been called “a dish room to board room story,” as he began his career in the restaurant industry more than 40 years ago as a dishwasher at a local Columbus steakhouse in 1980 as a junior in high school. A few years later, when he was working as a line cook during a chaotic shift change, time stood still amidst the pandemonium in the kitchen, and Cameron had an epiphany. He realized then he loved the restaurant business and set out to make it his lifelong career. After that shift, he put pen to paper to map out his career goals, waking his mother in the middle of the night to share them with her. Those goals – to attend the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA), to become an executive chef by age 23, to be a restaurant general manager by 24, and ultimately to be president of a restaurant company by the age of 35 – eventually were the benchmarks that would set the course of Cameron Mitchell’s restaurant industry career. Today, CMR remains independent and privately held, with 43 restaurants across the country from Beverly Hills to New York City, and 18 different concepts in 14 states plus the District of Columbia, as well as a separate and highly successful catering division, Cameron Mitchell Premier Events, and a food hall chef incubator, Budd Dairy Food Hall. Furthermore, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants also manages the growth and development of its sister company, Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern, which has 22 locations across five states. With an entrepreneur’s energy, vision and passion, Mitchell’s sights are set on the development of new restaurant concepts, and the expansion of concepts currently in his company’s portfolio, particularly Ocean Prime (known in Columbus, OH, as Mitchell’s Ocean Club). Plans include the continued introduction of this concept in major metropolitan markets throughout the United States. In 2019, Cameron published his book Yes is the Answer! What is the Question? The book chronicles Mitchell’s rise in the restaurant industry from troubled youth to the highs and lows of growing his multi-unit, multi-concept, nationwide, associate-centered restaurant company. The book made Forbes’ list of 12 Best Business Memoirs of all Time, with Lee Iacoca, Danny Meyer, Ben Franklin and others. Cameron Mitchell’s successes in business and keen understanding of the restaurant industry have earned him countless awards and acknowledgements. Most recently, he was recognized by the Columbus Business First 2022 C-Suite Awards as one of the most admired CEOs in central Ohio, as well as being honored with a lifetime achievement award. He also was named as CEO of the year by Columbus CEO in 2015. Globally, he has been recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young, as a Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration and as one of 50 New Taste Makers by Nation’s Restaurant News. He also received the Richard Melman Concepts of Tomorrow Award in 2005; a prestigious Silver Plate award from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association; a Commitment to People Award from the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART) in 2007, and in 2008, was inducted into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame. Mitchell was honored to be named one of five Golden Chain Winners by Nation’s Restaurant News in 2009. Cameron is regularly sought after for speaking engagements and by national business and industry publications and national broadcast media. He has been featured in publications including Restaurant Business, Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Hospitality, Chain Leader, Restaurants and Institutions, the Wall Street Journal and People, as well as CNN’s Erin Burnett Show, CNBC’s Squawk Box and Fox Business News’ Claman Countdown. He also completed a “Behind the Brand” interview, which ran on Huffington Post and Entrepreneur.com. In March 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cameron closed 37 restaurants and furloughed 4,500 associates. Cameron and the CMR team worked to secure a PPP loan and reopened restaurants according to city mandates in the states where the company’s restaurants are located. Cameron has been a much-needed voice for the industry, pushing for PPP loan amendments for the hospitality sector, being appointed as one of 18 CEO’s on Ohio Governor DeWine’s Economic Recovery Task Force, collaborating with the Cleveland Clinic to create a company-wide safety protocol, writing op-eds for national hospitality trade publications, and appearing on national television representing not only CMR, but other independent restaurant companies. Keynote: The Answer is Yes. What is the Question?
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Ashley MontroyChief Marketing Officer FrontRunner Professional Ashley Montroy has been in funeral service her entire life, growing up directly on top of her family's funeral home. She is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at FrontRunner Professional, Vice-President of the Funeral Service Association of Canada, a member of the Exhibitor Advisory Community with NFDA, and a member of Tribute Technology’s Advisory Board. To date, she has taught close to 10,000 funeral professionals at 50 national, state and provincial conventions. Over the past decade, Ashley has helped FrontRunner grow to be one of North America’s top funeral technology and marketing providers, working with more than 3,000 funeral homes world-wide. Learning Lab: 7 Steps to a Winning Cremation Marketing Strategy that Actually Works!
| Robbie L. PapePresident-Elect The International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (ICCFA) Robbie Pape is Sr. Vice President of Operations & Regional Partner for Carriage Services. She is the proud mother of an 18-year-old daughter, Samantha, who is a Freshman pursuing a degree in Vocal Performance (classical opera) at the University of Cincinnati – College Conservatory of Music (Go Bearcats!). Robbie is a certified public accountant with a degree in Marketing and Information Systems from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Robbie serves as President-Elect for the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (“ICCFA”) as well as being a member of the Finance Committee. She has also served as ICCFA Secretary and Director. Robbie is also active in the Cremation Association of North America and served as a board member until the fall of 2021. Since joining the industry in 1991, Robbie has held numerous positions including internal audit, finance, cemetery and funeral home operations and process improvement, systems implementation, cemetery records digitization, funeral and cemetery financial controls, and bronze memorial design/storage.
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Christopher P. Robinson, CFSP, CCOTreasurer National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Christopher Robinson is the 2022-2023 treasurer to the National Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors. He is secretary of NFDA. Christopher’s roots in funeral service date to a summer job in high school digging graves by hand. After graduating cum laude from Washington and Lee University with a bachelor’s degree in German and European History and a master’s degree in international business from the University of South Carolina, he worked in the international banking industry. During this time, Christopher’s father continued to expand the family’s funeral business. With no other siblings working alongside his father, Christopher left the banking industry and returned to his grave-digging roots to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer at Robinson Funeral Homes in Easley, South Carolina. Christopher has been a dedicated member of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, serving in the state officer positions. His service to his state association culminated with a term as president. A devoted member of NFDA, Christopher has represented the state of South Carolina on the Policy Board. Prior to serving as Secretary of NFDA, from 2018-2021, Chris served as an at-large representative on the Board of Directors. Chris has also served as a member of the Convention Education Task Force, Spokesperson Team, Headquarters Operations Committee, Audit Task Force, Advocacy Committee and the Associate Membership Committee. In addition, Christopher serves as NFDA’s representative to the Curriculum Committee of the American Board of Funeral Service Committee; he also is the NFDA liaison on the Funeral Service Foundation Board of Trustees where he serves on the Executive Committee, Grants Committee and Board Development Committee.
| Jason SchechterleKeynote Presenter & Motivational Speaker Burning Shield Jason Schechterle represents the human experience at its very best – an uphill climb from despair to describing himself as the luckiest person alive today. After serving four years in the Air Force, at the age 26, Jason achieved his goal to work on the streets of Phoenix as a rookie police officer. Then, only 14 months into his career, Jason’s life took an unexpected tragic turn. On the night of March 26th, 2001, a taxicab crashed into the rear of Jason’s patrol car. Upon impact, Jason’s car burst into flames, trapping him inside. Through a series of miraculous and fateful circumstances, Jason survived the crash and ensuing physical and emotional catastrophe. He suffered severe burns to over 40% of his body which drastically altered his appearance. He has undergone more than 50 surgeries just to have the ability to accomplish simple daily tasks we often take for granted. Jason’s journey chronicles his fight for life, his triumph over tragedy and the inspiration that enables him to continue to overcome unimaginable adversity. His personal narrative exemplifies that the power of the human spirit can never be underestimated or extinguished. Jason is available to travel worldwide as a motivational and keynote speaker, sharing his incredible story which has been described as “engaging,” “engrossing,” and “very entertaining.” Booked at over 75 engagements each year, Jason has found his calling in inspiring other to overcome adversity, big and small with a message that applies to everyone one. Keynote: Burning Shield – The Jason Schechterle Story
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Scott Serafin, CSRISSenior Vice President - Wealth ManagementThe 770 Group UBS Financial Scott has a passion for his clients, their families and their financial well-being. His goal is to be their trusted advisor for the most important financial decisions in their life. Scott leads with financial planning, and he believes planning should guide investment strategies. He is diligent about understanding his clients’ goals and concerns and anticipating what risks could stand in the way of accomplishing those goals. Scott is committed to continuous education in order to provide sound advice about shifting taxes, regulations and economic conditions. Learning Lab: Write, trust, profit. Repeat!
| Ryan ThogmartinCEO/OwnerDISRUPT Media Motivated by a desire to create change, Ryan Thogmartin is a forward-thinking entrepreneur, speaker, and coach. As the founder of the Inc. 5000 company, DISRUPT Media (2020 and 2021 list of fastest-growing private American businesses), he has helped businesses earn millions of dollars through social media marketing and lead generation. Along with his other ventures, Ryan is a personal development coach helping people find freedom in their day-to-day lives. Above all, heʼs a husband, father to two daughters, and a worship-driven Christian. Learning Lab: We Spent $5,000,000 on Funeral Home Ads – Here’s What We Learned
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Deborah Thomas-NiningerDTN Productions International Hello, and please allow me to introduce myself…I am Deborah Thomas-Nininger, the founder of DTN Productions International, a company that has been providing soft skills (people skills) training for over thirty years. Soft skills have never been more in demand. Some of my most popular topics include Grow Your Backbone, EQ, Gravitas, Presentation Skills, Reputation Management, Practicing Mindfulness, and Autopilot Habits, in addition to my etiquette programs and tutorials. I had the distinct honor of organizing the international etiquette training for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, putting me on the global training map. I continue to spread my contemporary approach to effective H2H (human-to-human) communication and social courtesies via workshops, keynotes, webinars, and podcasts. My first two books, Reputation Management – Building Your Brand and Tweetables for Life, will be available in the summer of 2023, with my MiniManners series to launch in the fall of 2023. Learning Lab: Putting the “Extra” in Extraordinary!
Mortuary Student Forum: Emerging Leaders | Pam UleryDirector of Sales DevelopmentFuneral Directors Life Pam graduated from Ohio University in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Pam has been in the funeral industry for over 25 years starting with Forethought in 1991. She decided to work at a funeral home as a prearrangement specialist after a decade in business-to-business sales. Then she pursued a 6-year career with Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals, now Merck, prior to starting with Funeral Directors Life in 2010. She is a Director of Sales Development with Funeral Directors Life working with funeral homes in Ohio and Kentucky. Pam completed The Wolfelt Experience Certification in 2017 and is now a Certified Professional in Funeral Planning (CPFP). Pam is also a Licensed Insurance Agent. Preconvention Insurance Seminar: Understanding and protecting Today's Ohio End-of-Life Planners
Preconvention Insurance Seminar: Ethics in the Workplace
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Paul vonSchoelerPresident/CEO Administrative Systems, Inc. (ASI) Paul was the Principal of vonSchoeler, McBride and Associates, Columbus, OH. VMA was a Third-Party Administrative firm providing administrative services to defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans. Mr. vonSchoeler created Administrative Systems, Inc. (ASI) in 1991 as a subsidiary of vonSchoeler, McBride and Associates and serves today as the President/CEO. ASI has over 30 years of specialized experience in providing administration, record keeping, consulting and tax work for preneed master trusts in seven states, including The Ohio Funeral Directors Association Master Trust. Learning Lab: Write, trust, profit. Repeat!
| Nancy WeilMember Resources Director International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) Founder, Laugh Academy Nancy Weil serves as Member Resources Director for the International Order of the Golden Rule and is the founder of The Laugh Academy. For over a decade her monthly column, Random Musings, has been featured in Funeral Home and Cemetery News. She has certifications as a Grief Management Specialist, Grief Services Provider, Funeral Celebrant and Laughter Leader. Nancy is known for her energetic, entertaining and content-rich programs. Nancy can be contacted at NWeil@ogr.org. Learning Lab: Aftercare: Strengthen Your Families and Your Business
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Justin P. Zabor, CFSPFuneral Director and Professional SpeakerThe Zabor Funeral Home, Inc.Justin Zabor Enterprises, LLC Justin P. Zabor, CFSP is “The Director of Death who speaks the Language of Life” for you and your business. He is a third-generation funeral director and professional speaker who works with associations, organizations and corporations to help them create customer experiences To Die For! Justin has been granted the designation of Certified Funeral Service Professional (CFSP) by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. There are over 35,000 funeral directors in the U.S. alone and only 4% of the entire profession have achieved this distinct honor. He is the President of Justin Zabor Enterprises LLC, a professional speaking firm based in Cleveland, OH. He has been speaking professionally in the funeral industry for over 15 years. Justin was elected the second-youngest President ever of The Ohio Chapter of the National Speakers Association. Learning Lab: Fabulous Food For Funerals; Catering the Funeral Experience
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