CFSA’s Annual meeting will take place during the Fall Conference & Trade Show’s Business Meeting on Tuesday, November 11, at the JW Marriott Indianapolis. Members will elect the 2014-15 Board of Directors and Officers. Members who are unable to attend may submit a written proxy to CFSA designating a company representative to cast his or her vote. The Business Meeting is scheduled as a stand-alone session prior to the educational programs. In addition to the elections, the Treasurer’s Report and In Memoriam will be presented.
The Nominating Committee, with approval by the 2013-14 CFSA Board of Directors, recommends election of the following individuals to the Association’s 2014-15 Board of Directors:
OFFICERS
President
Tina Houck
Schuylkill Haven Casket Company—
Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania
Tina Houck is President & General Manager of Schuylkill Haven Casket Co., a 95-year-old hardwood casket manufacturer located in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. She is the third generation of her family to hold the position. She has a Business Administration degree from Penn State University and she previously served three years on the CFSA board. She was elected as Treasurer in 2012, and as Vice President in 2013. Her father, Donald W. Houck, is a former CFSA President (1987-88) and winner of the CFSA Lifetime Recognition Award (2003). Tina lives in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, with her fiancé, Fred Schwartz.
Vice President
Peter Galletly
Tiedemann-Bevs Industries—
Richmond, Indiana
Peter Galletly is Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of Tiedemann-Bevs Industries, Inc., located in Richmond, Indiana. Tiedemann has been a supplier of casket textiles since the 1860’s, and Bev’s Threads, a supplier of manufactured sewn parts and notions, has served the casket Industry since 1985. The two companies merged in 2008 under the ownership of Bob and Pete Galletly, both third-generation in the industry. Pete graduated with a business degree from Nasson College, has been a previous CFSA board member, was elected as Treasurer in 2013, and has served on several for-profit company boards. His father, Robert C. Galletly, is a past winner of the CFSA Lifetime Recognition Award (2011), and his brother, Robert C. Galletly, Jr., is a CFSA Past President (1996-97). Pete currently is the Chairman of the Board of the New Hampton School, a nonprofit, grade 9-through-12 boarding school in central New Hampshire. He is married to Karen, and they have a daughter, Leanne.
Treasurer
Gerald (Jerry) Burchett
IVC Industrial Coatings—
Brazil, Indiana
Jerry has worked for IVC Industrial Coatings for 20 years as a Sales and Technical Service Representative. Currently the National Sales Manager for the Casket Division, he has been in the coatings industry, both liquid and powder, for 32 years. He and his wife, Patti, have been married for 35 years and currently live in Nolensville, Tenn. They have two children. Their son Kale and his wife Amy have two children, Piper Kate and Annalee, and live in Cookeville, Tenn. Their daughter Katie and her husband Brian have two children, Brody and Anagail, and live in Nolensville, Tenn. Jerry and Patti enjoy spending time with the grandchildren, and relaxing at their farm.
Immediate Past President
Louis Tobia, Jr.
New England Casket Co.—
East Boston, Massachusetts
Louis Tobia, Jr., Vice President of New England Casket Company, is the third generation owner and has been with the company full time since 1990. New England Casket has been manufacturing hardwood caskets for over 79 years. Lou has a business degree from Bentley University and has been a previous board member of CFSA, serving a three-year term. He was elected as Treasurer in 2011, Vice President in 2012, and President in 2013. His father, Louis F. Tobia, is a CFSA Past President (1999-2000) and winner of the CFSA Lifetime Recognition Award (2008). According to CFSA’s bylaws, Lou, Jr., now automatically moves to the officer position as Immediate Past President, and remains a voting member of the Board of Directors. He and his wife Melissa live in Middleton, Massachusetts, with their two children, Olivia and Andrew.
DIRECTORS
Jeanette Hiemstra
Keith M. Merrick Company Inc. –
Sibley, Iowa
Jeanette Hiemstra is the Chief Operating Officer of the Keith M. Merrick Company, an 81-year-old company based in Sibley, Iowa. The company is a manufacturer of printed memorial products. After obtaining an Associate of Arts degree, Jeanette began her career at Keith Merrick as a screenprinter in 1983. Later, she operated a press and then started the book case-making operation for the company. She then managed the fulfillment area for the company before becoming Plant Manager. In 2011, Jeanette was appointed COO. She has specialized in Lean Management, and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Continuous Improvement Division of Printing Industries of America (PIA). Jeanette is married to Rodney, and they are the parents of three grown children, Jessica, Rebecca and Gregory. In her spare time, she loves to make jewelry and is active in her church as a lector and Eucharistic minister.
Bill Jones
Aurora Casket Company –
Aurora, Indiana
Bill Jones is the Director of Distributor Development at Aurora Casket Company. In this role, he actively works with casket distributors in the U.S. and internationally promoting the Aurora line as well as the Alliance Saint Laurent line of products. Bill began his career in 1993 with Aurora as a Sales Representative in Michigan, later transferring to northern Ohio. This success led him to receive the National Sales Representative of the Year award in 2002 and 2003, and numerous other sales awards. It was the successful career in sales that enabled Bill to become a Senior Sales Advisor, leading Michigan. In 2005, Bill left Aurora to work for Wilbert Funeral Supplies as a Business Development Manager, where he was responsible for marketing and business development of the Wilbert Licensees. One year later, he was lured back to Aurora as a Key Account Manager. Aurora’s desire to focus on and increase its business with regional casket companies created a need for Distributor Development. Bill later became an obvious selection as Director of Distributer Development. Since then, he has participated in Aurora acquisitions. Bill earned his Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from Hanover College. In addition to his work with Aurora and community involvement, Bill, and his wife, Pamela, own a funeral home, Dovin & Reber Jones Funeral and Cremation Center. There he supports Pam, who has been a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for the past 25 years. Bill, Pam, and their two sons Austin (13), and Cole (11) reside in Lorain, Ohio.
Jason Mims
Cherokee Casket Company –
Griffin, Georgia
Jason Mims is Vice President of Operations at Cherokee Casket Company in Griffin, Georgia, where he is the third generation to join the company. Cherokee Casket Company has been making child caskets since 1941 in Griffin. Jason is from Athens, Georgia, and has a Business Administration Degree from Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Ga. He lives in McDonough, Ga. with his wife, Casey.
The CFSA Nominating Committee members were: Len Weber, Chair (CFSA Immediate Past President; Aurora Casket Company); Peggy Rouzzo (Nomis Publications); Jeff Cheek (Matthews International); Bill Strangward (Langenau Manufacturing Company); and, Frank Taddeo (Church & Chapel Metal Arts).