CFSA’s Annual meeting will take place during the Fall Conference & Trade Show’s Business Meeting on Tuesday, November 14, at the JW Marriott Indianapolis. Members will elect the 2017-18 Board of Directors and Officers. The Business Meeting is scheduled as a stand-alone session prior to the keynote presentation by Eric McElvenny. In addition to the elections, the Treasurer’s Report and In Memoriam will be presented.
The Nominating Committee, with approval by the 2016-17 CFSA Board of Directors, recommends election of the following individuals to the Association’s 2017-18 Board of Directors:
Rodney Robinson, President
Southern Craft Manufacturing Inc. – Loretto, Tennessee
Rodney is President of Southern Craft Manufacturing Inc., founded in Loretto, Tennessee, in 1994 by he and his wife, Tina. He has been in the casket industry since 1981, beginning his career in Richmond, Indiana, with Wallace Metal Products, where his father, Bob Robinson, and uncle, Donald Robinson, also began their careers. He and Tina have two children, Nichole and Leland. Leland continues to work with Transportation for Southern Craft, while Nichole deals with the company’s marketing. Nichole’s husband, Eric, heads up daily operations at Southern Craft. Nichole and Eric have two children, Lane and Aubrey, who are often seen at CFSA functions. Rodney previously served a three-year term on the CSFA Board, was Vice President last year, and was elected as Treasurer in 2015.
Christopher J. Boots, Vice President
C.J. Boots Casket Company – Anderson, Indiana
Christopher J. Boots, founder and president of C.J. Boots Casket Company, holds memberships in the Casket and Funeral Supply Association of America, Indiana Funeral Director’s Education Foundation, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Manufacturers Association, and the Indiana Funeral Directors Sale Supply Club, and is the school board president for South Madison School Corporation. Chris provides leadership and direction for the company and is the primary source for the company’s product development. He enjoys spending time on his boat with his wife and four lovely daughters. Chris previously served a three-year term as a CFSA Director from 2010-13, and served as Treasurer in 2016-17.
Michael Mims, Treasurer
Cherokee Casket Company – Griffin, Georgia
Mike is President of Cherokee Casket Company located in Griffin, Georgia. As a longtime CFSA member (first joined in 1956), Cherokee is an international company which manufactures and supplies children caskets and related funeral products to funeral professionals since 1941. Mike took over operations in 2005 from his parents, Dean and Henrietta Mims, who purchased Cherokee from the founder, Sarah Betts, in the mid-1980s. As a graduate of Samford University and Southwestern Theological Seminary, Mike served two churches and as a hospice chaplain before joining Cherokee. Mike enjoys having his son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Casey, working daily along his side. When not working, Mike cherishes every moment of beach life. He previously served a three-year term as CFSA director from 2010-2013, followed by a three-year term as the CFSA liaison to the Funeral and Memorial Information Council (FAMIC.)
Gerald (Jerry) Burchett, Immediate Past President
PPG Industries, Inc. – Brazil, Indiana
Jerry has worked for IVC Industrial Coatings, which was acquired by PPG Industries in September, 2015, for 23 years as a Sales and Technical Service Representative. Currently he is the National Sales Manager for the Casket Division – IVC Area Services. He has been in the coatings industry, both liquid and powder, for 35 years. Jerry previously served a three-year term on the Board, and was elected as Treasurer in 2014, Vice President in 2015, and then President in 2016.
Jerry and his wife, Patti, have been married for 38 years and currently live in Nolensville, Tennessee. They have two children. Their son Kale and his wife Amy have two children, Piper Kate and Annalee, and they live in Cookeville, Tenn. Their daughter Katie and her husband Brian have two children, Brody and Anagail, and they live in Nolensville, Tenn. Jerry and Patti enjoy spending time with the grandchildren, traveling, and relaxing at their farm. Jerry has served on our Board for the last six years, and during that time he has not missed a Fall Conference or Winter Seminar. He is looking forward to serving on our Board one more year as our Past President.
Shannon Robinson, Director
Matthews International – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Shannon Robinson is the Manufacturing Manager at Matthews International’s Metal Stamping Plant located in Richmond, Indiana. She began working in the casket industry in 1994, and has served in various positions at the plant over the last 23 years. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations, as well as purchasing. Shannon is a graduate of Indiana University. She and her husband, Tim, live in Centerville, Indiana, with their sons, Bryce and Brock. She enjoys bowling, crafting, and spending time with her family. Shannon previously served a two-year term as a CFSA Director in 2013-2015.
Greg Beavers, Director
Wise Products, Inc. – Honey Grove, Texas
Greg Beavers is Vice President of Wise Products Inc. Wise Products Inc. has five locations throughout Texas, and is a steel outer-burial container manufacturer and casket distributor. Greg is a third-generation family member working at Wise Products, the business his grandparents, Lyle and Evelyn Wise, founded in 1967. Greg served in the United States Marines for nine years, with one tour in Iraq. He received his degree in business administration from Texas A&M of Commerce. Greg has been married to his wife Rebeka for eleven years and has two children, Levi and Macy. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and hunting.
Bill Jones, Director
Tiedemann-Bevs Industries – Richmond, Indiana
Bill Jones is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Tiedemann-Bevs Industries. Previously, he was the Director of Distributor Development for Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions. Bill began his career in 1993 with Aurora Casket Company 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 and, later, became Director of Distributor Development. Bill earned his Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from Hanover College. In addition to his work with Tiedemann-Bevs 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 and Pam have two sons, Austin (16) and Cole (14).
The CFSA 2017 Nominating Committee members were: Pete Galletly, Chair (CFSA Immediate Past President; Tiedemann-Bevs Industries); Dave Hazelett (Astral Industries); Kevin Thomson (Dixline Corporation); Rodney Robinson (CFSA Vice President; Southern Craft Manufacturing); and, Chris Boots (CFSA Treasurer, C.J. Boots Casket Co.)
Three CFSA Board members will be retiring on November 14th at the Fall Conference, as their terms will expire: Pete Galletly (CFSA Immediate Past President; Tiedemann-Bevs Industries); Jason Mims (Cherokee Casket Company); and, Jeanette Hiemstra (Keith M. Merrick Company).
Six Directors will continue on the 2017-18 Board: Pat Duckers (Artco Casket Company); Justin Thacker (Thacker Casket Manufacturing); Dan Sauder (Sauder Funeral Products); Kim Graham (Nomis Publications, Inc.); Scott M. Jones, Jr. (Service Casket Company); and, Craig Warner (Paragon Casket, Inc.). There are a total of 13 volunteer members of the CFSA Board of Directors.