Page A30 August 2022 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Se c t i on A by KNAUER INDUSTRIES Order Direct at 1-800-782-8249 Free UPS Ground Shipping www.mccordcasketsandvaults.com NEWS Association CONTINUED NFDA Introduces the 2022 Meet the Mentors Program Participants and Mentors BROOKFIELD,WI— The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is proud to introduce the funeral professionals who have been selected to participate in the 2022 Meet the Mentors program. The program, which has been wholly funded by the Funeral Service Foundation since its inception in 2011, will take place August 14-16 at the Emory Conference Center Hotel, located on the campus of Emory University, in Atlanta, GA. The 2022 NFDA Meet the Mentors participants are: Jessica Woltring, Wenig Funeral Home, Sheboygan Falls, WI; David Andrzejewski, Howe-Peterson Funeral Home, Dearborn, MI; Josh Austin, Cozine Memorial Group, Wichita, KS; Jordan Baker, Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, New Bedford, MA; Jessica Bowen, Spry Funeral Home, Huntsville, AL; Nicole Brown, Davenport & Harris Funeral Homes Inc, Birmingham, AL; April Callahan, Preble Memory Gardens Funeral Center, West Alexandria, OH; Hannah Chambers, Smith Family Funeral Homes–North Little Rock, North Little Rock, AR; Katie Clapp, Anthony Funeral Homes, Akron, OH; Greg Counsell, Counsell Woodley Funeral Home & Monument Company, Hampton, IA; Emily Grace Crowe, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home, Franklin, TN; Brockton Elkins, Dyersburg Funeral Home, Dyersburg, TN; Skyler Gunderson, Gunderson Funeral Home, Mount Horeb, WI; Brooke Hassig, Chas. Verheyden Inc, Grosse Pointe, MI; Kelsey Hickman, Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, Canal Winchester, OH; Jami John, Vertin Family Funeral Homes, Breckenridge, MN; Paul Johnson, Heritage Funeral Homes, Milwaukee, WI; East Brunswick, NJ; Andrew Merschman, Counsell Woodley Funeral Home, Hampton, IA; Larry Moore, Moore Funeral Home, Trenton, GA; Jacob Morris, West Harpeth Funeral Home & Crematory, Nashville, TN; Meghan Reithel, Nie Family Funeral Home, Ann Arbor, MI; Kellie Rogers, Hughes Family Tribute Center, Dallas, TX; Brienna Smith, Return Home, Auburn, WA; Joe Strednak, Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory Inc, East Pittsburgh, PA; Evelester Vargas, Logan Square Funeral Home, Chicago, IL; and Mykal Walden, Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home, St. Petersburg, FL. Three highly esteemed funeral professionals have been selected as the 2022 mentors: Sam James, the owner of James Funeral Home and Northlake Memorial Gardens in Huntersville, NC; Ginny Sanzo, CFSP, managing partner of the John E. Day Funeral Home in Red Bank, NJ; and Tom Sproles, CFSP, coowner of Sproles Family Funeral Home in New Castle, IN. During Meet the Mentors, the mentors will share career advice and lessons they have learned while building their careers in the funeral service profession. Attendees, who are all either under the age of 40 or new to the profession (first licensed within the last five years), will be able to connect with the mentors and their fellow mentees during small group discussions, interactive exercises and meals. There is no cost to participate in the Meet the Mentors program itself. The Funeral Service Foundation’s generous grant provides exclusive, career-transforming access to three mentors, and covers attendees’ registration fees, two nights’ lodging and select meals. The individuals selected to attend only pay for their transportation to the program. More than 600 young professionals and budding leaders have benefited from the Meet the Mentors program, which underscores the Foundation’s mission of investing in people and programs to strengthen funeral service and lift up grieving communities. Complete details about the NFDA Meet the Mentors program can be found on the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/mentors. NFDA Baltimore Convention honored will be those individuals who earned certification through NFDA’s Cremation Certification program; new NFDA Certified Preplanning Consultants; Funeral Service Foundation scholarship and award recipients; 2022-23 National Emerging Leaders Program participants; and APFSP Certified Funeral Service Practitioners (included with registration). During the 2022 Service of Remembrance on Tuesday, October 11, NFDA will explore the customs associated with honoring the lives of our fallen heroes. Every day, our service members selflessly put their lives on the line to keep us safe and protect our freedom. The primary mission of Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations is to fulfill the nation’s sacred commitment of ensuring dignity, honor and respect to the fallen, and care, service and support to their families. NFDA will also remember the members of the funeral service community who died during the past year. The Funeral Directors Under 40 Party allows attendees to socialize and unwind at Kraken Axes. Guests will enjoy a private arena and dedicated team of axe coaches who will help them stay safe as they attempt to hit the bullseye! This ticketed event includes two drink tickets, heavy hors d’oeuvres and an axe-throwing lesson. As the NFDA Convention comes to an end, attendees will gather one final time on Wednesday October 12 at the iconic National Aquarium. Ranked as one of the nation’s top three aquariums, guests will enjoy awe-inspiring and award-winning exhibits that are sure to amaze. This ticketed event includes a hosted bar, dinner and access to the aquarium. Baltimore is writing a new chapter in its history, fueled by cultural tastemakers and creative entrepreneurs. Today’s Baltimore is a vibrant community that honors the past while keeping a keen eye on the future. In Charm City, you can see the largest public collection of Matisse in the world (for free!), sip a craft beer in the sanctuary of a converted church and stay in a four-star hotel poised atop an historic recreation pier. To help attendees explore this incredible city, NFDA has planned several ticketed exclusive excursions which can be found at ht tps : //convent ion.nfda.org/Agenda/Area-Tours. For those who prefer to plan their own adventure, they can start by visiting www.baltimore.org. There is so much waiting for attendees to discover at the 2022 NFDA International Convention & Expo. Attendees should register on or before September 1 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. After September 1, prices will increase by $100. The latest information, including information on how to register and make hotel reservations, is available at www.nfda.org/Convention or by calling 800-228-6332. Continued from Page A29 Carl Kirby, Gaines Funeral Home, Cleveland, OH; Alexandra Lazaruik, Park Memorial Ltd, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Joseph Mask, Radney Funeral Home, Alexander City, AL; John McCaig, Brunswick Memorial Home,
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