to the guide.

Board of Directors
Election 2016
VOTER GUIDE
The candidates for the
ICCFA Board of Directors
are in!
Eight of the 12 candidates listed in this booklet will be elected to three-year terms during
the Annual Meeting of Members on Thursday, April 14, at 8 a.m. Write-in nominations will be
accepted on the ballot at the time of voting. Members will have an opportunity to write in up
to three candidates.
Enclosed in this packet is your 2016 Voting Certificate. Be sure to complete your certificate
and return it to ICCFA headquarters by March 15 for validation. If you cannot attend the
Meeting of Members, you may designate a co-worker who will be attending to cast your vote.
Proxy voting is not permitted.
Validated certificates will be distributed in registration packets on-site in New Orleans.
Validated certificates are required in order to receive a ballot at the Annual Meeting of
Members.
In addition to reading the profiles in this guide, we encourage you to seek out the candidates
(you’ll recognize them by their “Board Candidate” ribbons), to share your observations and
concerns about ICCFA, discuss their views and determine who deserves your vote.
Andres Aguilar
Andres Aguilar is Vice President and Member of the Board of Señoriales
Corporacion de Servicio in Guatemala City, a second generation family
business that provides funeral, cemetery and cremation services.
Señoriales conducts more than 1,800 funeral services and 1,000
burials annually. In his current role, Aguilar leads a staff of more than
300 sales and family services people, selling more than 5,000 pre-need
contracts each year.
Aguilar has been involved in his family business for more than 10 years
gaining experience in Marketing, Sales, and Technology. He holds a
Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Arizona State University and an
MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Currently, Aguilar sits on the ICCFA’s Marketing and Sales committee,
and is a student at the ICCFAU.
Aguilar has involved his company in several community services
programs. His latest project was in an impoverished community onthe
outskirts of the city where together with his staff, they built a home for
an underprivileged family. Additionally, they are giving scholarships to
25 children with whom they visit regularly and encourage them to learn
and grow.
Aguilar says, “We live in a world that has become globalized. Being
from Central America I can bring a different perspective to this
amazing organization that has given me so much in terms of education,
networking and friendships. I intend to fully embrace the “I” in ICCFA.”
Carlos Belloso
Carlos Roberto Belloso is President of Parques y Jardines de Cuscatlan.
He has been in the cemetery and funeral business since 1991. His
company began operations with an 8-acre cemetery and 30 employees,
14 of whom were sales representatives. In 1997, the company opened
the first funeral home in San Salvador. Later in 2000, they opened
a second funeral home serving the middle and upper class of San
Salvador. In 2005, the cemetery expanded with the development of
32-acres of land to have a total of 40-acres ready to sell.
In 2008, Belloso bought the largest funeral home company in El
Salvador, which was in business for more than 50 years and owned five
funeral home locations. Since then, his company is the biggest funeral
home company in El Salvador with six funeral homes serving more than
3,000 families a year and conducting 780 cemetery services a year.
Operations were started in Honduras in 2013 and then in Nicaragua in
2015. The company in El Salvador now has six funeral homes and one
cemetery with 620 employees; the Honduras location has one funeral
home with 42 employees; and the Nicaragua location has one funeral
home and one cemetery with 75 employees.
Belloso’s involvement in ICCFA has been as a member and a participant
only. He has been a member of the Latin America Association of
Funeral Homes and Cemeteries (ALPAR), as well as on the ALPAR Board
of Directors for 16 years and as Vice President for four years. In ALPAR,
Belloso helped to transform the association to be more international
and society-focused. They have worked with FIAT/IFTA and held two
successful conventions together.
In the past four years as acting Vice President of ALPAR, Belloso has
seen the importance of bringing together ALPAR and ICCFA. There is a
mutual interest for both associations to learn how to best serve their
members.. Belloso recognizes the need for American cemeteries and
funeral homes to better understand the Latin American market, as it is
the largest minority in the United States of America. ICCFA is a door to
change and innovate business models, strategies and innovative ways
to provide for clients. The globalization is pushing everyone to become
more innovative and to gain a worldwide vision.
Gary Buss
Gary Buss is President and CEO of Arlington Cemetery Company, which
is a historic, family-owned cemetery and funeral home combination
located just outside of Philadelphia, PA. He started working with the
grounds crew 24 years ago and has worked his way up the ladder.
He has experienced all aspects of the organization, including sales,
purchasing, union negotiations, mausoleum and lawncrypt projects,
and the successful integration of a funeral home.
A Temple University graduate, Buss holds a BBA with a dual emphasis
in marketing and human resources. He also completed the Walt
Disney World Management Seminars and post-graduate courses at the
University of Pennsylvania.
As a Past President of the Pennsylvania Cemetery, Cremation, and
Funeral Association, Buss has chaired annual meetings, regional
meetings, state conferences and a multi-state conference. He is also
active in the legislative committee and has represented the association
before State Senators and Representatives.
Buss believes active community involvement is vital for his company to
remain relevant to today’s consumer. Each year he orchestrates many
events, such as bereavement workshops, celebration-of-life memorials,
death cafés, and a Christmas concert. His most significant contribution
to the local community has been through fundraising efforts for the
police department, performing arts and other local non-profits.
Buss still operates a backhoe and digs the occasional grave. His
willingness to work side-by-side with his employees gives him
invaluable insight into his staff, his product, and his consumers. It would
also make him an asset to the ICCFA Board.
Corey Gaffney
Corey Gaffney is President and General Manager of the Gaffney family
of companies, including Gaffney Funeral Home and Cremation Society
of Washington located in Tacoma, Washington. Gaffney is a fourthgeneration funeral director with more than 15 years experience in
the cemetery, funeral home and cremation society segments of the
industry. Gaffney is responsible for the overall direction and operations
of both firms serving over 1,000 families annually while supervising 20
employees.
Gaffney is a licensed funeral director and certified crematory operator.
He attended Gonzaga University, majoring in public relations with a
minor in philosophy. Gaffney is a former board member of ICCFA and
attends many conventions, including having been asked to present and
speak at several events. Gaffney also maintains an active membership
in CANA. Gaffney is a long time Tacoma resident and is engaged in the
local community, having served on multiple boards of directors.
Gaffney says: “ICCFA is the only association that speaks to the multidimensional concerns that many of us share. We all find ourselves
operating in a quickly changing environment where being prepared
is more important than ever before. I have looked to ICCFA over the
years for guidance, leadership and candid discussions that resulted in
many of our firms’ best practices. If elected, I will seek to reinforce and
strengthen many of the programs and initiatives that have made ICCFA
what it is today while keeping an eye towards future opportunities and
challenges.”
Anthony Guerra
Anthony Guerra is Vice President of Guerra & Gutierrez Mortuaries in
Los Angeles with 6 locations serving 2,000 families annually.
With nearly 40 years experience in the family owned business, Guerra
is a second generation licensed funeral director. Guerra is responsible
for overseeing and participates in several aspects of daily operations
such as marketing, merchandising, policy, procedure, arranging
and directing funeral services as well as establishing a co-branding
preferred provider partnership with Forest Lawn Memorial Parks
throughout Southern California.
Guerra currently serves on the ICCFA Sales & Marketing Committee and
the Funeral Service Foundation Board of Trustees. Active member and
supporter of the Chamber of Commerce in his respective markets as
well as various fundraising committees at local schools and parishes.
Guerra attended ICCFA University College of Funeral Home
Management, has been a speaker at both the 2010 and 2014 ICCFA
Annual Conventions, article contributor to ICCFA Magazine, Co Chaired
2013 ICCFA Fall Management Conference, past Board member of Los
Angeles County Funeral Directors Association and served on ICCFA
Board of Directors.
From the early days of growing up in my father’s mortuary serving
100 families to what he built today, I was a witness what solid work
ethic, commitment and sacrifice can accomplish. In today’s complex,
regulated and bureaucratic world, our profession is confronted with
hurdles and obstacles undeserving to our mission and the families we
serve.
I believe my experiences and proactive approach has provided a sense
of urgency to surround oneself with a strong and talented cabinet
enabling all to thrive, thus creating results that ensure stability and
success well into the future for ICCFA and our profession.
Ed Horn
CCE
Ed Horn is the Director of Sales, Marketing and Community Relations
for St. Michael’s Cemetery and All Souls Chapel & Crematory. The ICCFA
recognized Ed by granting a CCE. In 2005, Ed received the KIP Award for
Most Personalized Service.
During the nearly 10 years of his leadership St. Michael’s has extended
its services throughout the City of New York. St. Michael’s is relied upon
by the most diversified melting pot of Americans found nowhere else in
the nation.
For his leadership and community dedication Horn has received awards,
acknowledgments and recognition from many of New York’s elected
officials, and more importantly from the families that depend upon St.
Michael’s. Horn was the Christopher Santora Scholarship Man of the
Year.
Under Horn’s leadership pre-need sales have more than doubled
resulting in an extensive community mausoleum building program that
guarantees space within the borders of the City of New York for it s
citizens. Horn’s active participation in the development and design of
All Souls Chapel & Crematory provided cremation services to groups
who previously had no connection with St. Michael’s while offering
cremation to an ever expanding demographic. Currently the Crematory
is serving the needs of nearly 2,000 families yearly.
The Variety Boys & Girls Club and St. Francis Elementary School elected
Horn to their Boards. He has been an active participant of the ICCFA
Government & Legal Affairs Committee. Thanks to Horn’s association
with numerous members of Congress the Association has been
privileged to meet and discuss issues relevant to our profession with
decision makers.
Horn has always maintained that he “refuses to have St. Michael’s
become a warehouse for the past.” The yearly Scott Joplin Concert and
the Memorial Services held for the First Responders of 911 celebrate
life insuring that St. Michael’s remains a resource to families who define
remembrance with love, a smile knowing St. Michael’s will always be
there for them.
Hamilton Jones
Hamilton Jones is President of Operations of Miller Jones Mortuary
and Cremations which consists of six funeral homes and a Memorial
Park which is located in Southern California. With almost 10 years of
experience in the funeral and cemetery profession, he is responsible
for overseeing and directing the activities of 75 employees in all areas
of mortuary, cemetery and crematory operations, as they conduct over
2,000 funeral services annually.
Jones is also a licensed funeral director, cemetery manager/broker
and life insurance agent. He holds a bachelor of science in business
administration from Sonoma State University, also a graduate of the
ICCFA University. He was awarded the young funeral director of the
year from California Funeral Directors Association in 2006. This award
presented in recognition of excellence in professionalism, compassion
for families served and contributions to the community while under the
age of 35 years.
He is a past Board Member of ICCFA. He is a past board member of the
California Funeral Directors Association where he served on legislative
committee, and finance committee. He is also the Past President of
Orange Belt Funeral Directors Association
Active in the local community, Jones has served on a number of boards
and committees including, past president of Menifee Valley Chamber
of commerce, board member of Hemet Chamber of Commerce, Hemet
Hospital foundation, Mt. San Jacinto Community College foundation.
He is also involved in Exchange Club, and the Hemet San Jacinto Action
Group.
Jones says: “I have long considered ICCFA to be the leader in our
profession continuing to stay ahead of the curve. I would consider
it a privilege and honor to serve on the board of directs where I can
continue to learn and give back to the ICCFA organization.”
Gregory McClary
CFSP
Gregory B. McClary, CFSP, is the owner/manager of Chapel of the
Chimes Funeral Home and owner/president of McClary Funeral
Services, Inc., in Westland, MI. He has over 35 years of experience in
the funeral services profession.
McClary is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the State of
Michigan; South Carolina; New York; and Indiana. He is a graduate
of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, GA. He
holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies, and in Business
Administration. McClary is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner
(CFSP), and Ambassador of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service
Practice.
He is a member of the ICCFA; National, Indiana, and Michigan Funeral
Directors Association (Past President, District One); Westland Chambers
of Commerce. McClary is active in his community, speaking to the youth
at local churches and schools. He employs mortuary science students
as interns from the local university.
My desire is to make a difference in this profession. It’s my mission to
be a light in this world by providing the best service to each family
entrusted to my care. I stand on my mother’s words “everyone may not
be able to afford the best, but you make sure you give them your best”.
As our association’s members encounter the demands for fast paced,
non-traditional service, I believe that it is our duty to ensure that we
maintain the highest degree of care and service to our families. As a
seasoned funeral service professional, I possess the experience, skills
and care to provide leadership to the members and the future of ICCFA.
Anthony Quahliero
CFSP
Anthony J. Quahliero, Jr., CFSP, is currently the manager of Kirila Funeral
Home, Inc. in Struthers, Ohio. He is the licensed funeral director and
embalmer responsible for overseeing all aspects of the business. He
and his wife, Melanie, live above the funeral home making things very
convenient for him and the families he serves. The funeral home is still
a family-owned business.
Quahliero has worked in funeral service for overall forty years. He
started working in the funeral home when the funeral home provided
ambulance service in the community. He attended Westminster College
and Slippery Rock University and graduated from Pittsburgh Institute
of Mortuary Science. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in
both Ohio and Pennsylvania. He also has an Ohio insurance license.
Quahliero served as president of the Ohio Funeral Directors
Association. He started working on various committees at OFDA in 1992
and later decided that the association had a great deal to offer so he
became a regional director and from there worked through the chairs
becoming president in 2013. He also served as president in his local
District 15, becoming the first non-owner to serve as president.
Quahliero has been very active in service and fraternal clubs and
community projects over the years such as the Eagles Club, Knights
of Columbus, Youngstown Wolves Club and especially the Struthers
Rotary Club where he served as president. He also went on to
become an Assistant Governor of Rotary District 6650. He also served
as President of the Struthers School Foundation for Educational
Excellence. Quahliero is also involved with disaster services on the
federal level with VIC and in Ohio with OMORT both in family assistance
along with the Emergency Management Agencies and Corners offices in
his local community. Something that was very special to Quahliero was
giving the commencement address at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary
Science.
Quahliero said “It has been a privilege and honor to serve our
profession. Serving as President of our association (OFDA), working with
other professionals across the country and trying to build and develop
our future professionals to see the importance of education, to serve,
to become part of our communities, building trust and respect with the
families we serve means a great deal to me. Knowing what we do does
make a difference. I hope that I can become part of an organization that
stands for the same things and more: ICCFA. I know I would be an asset
to everything ICCFA has to offer.”
John Renfro
John Renfro, Senior Vice President of Operations - Eastern Division and
Director of Company Funeral Operations for NorthStar Memorial Group,
has been with NorthStar since its founding in 2004. In Renfro’s position,
he is responsible for funeral home, cemetery and crematory operations
in seven states, and funeral operations for the company throughout
the U.S. John is also the president of Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home,
Cemeteries and Cremation Center and Moran and Goebel Funeral Home
in Decatur, Illinois. He has been an active licensed funeral director
and embalmer in Illinois since 1993, and a licensed Cemetery Manager
through the State of Illinois.
Born in Decatur, Renfro grew up in Lovington, Illinois, attending Millikin
University and Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Renfro served
three terms as President of the Illinois Cemetery and Funeral Home
Association, and was one of the first funeral directors to be elected
as ICFHA President. While president, Renfro testified on behalf of the
Association multiple times in the Illinois legislature. At the completion
of his presidency, the ICFHA presented John with the CEMI award—
the highest award given by the organization. John continues to serve
on the ICFHA’s Board of Directors, and is also a member of the ICCFA,
NFDA, IFDA and CANA.
Renfro and his wife Desiree are blessed with four children—three sons
and a daughter. They are active in the Decatur community as members
of Sts. James and Patrick Church, where Renfro serves as a lector and
Eucharistic Minister, and is a past member of the church advisory board.
He is also a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus in
Decatur.
Renfro believes with his 20+ years of experience in the death care
profession and current responsibilities, he is an excellent choice for
the ICFHA board. Traveling throughout the U.S. dealing with numerous
situations provides an excellent background for a board position.
During Renfro’s time as ICFHA President, he worked with the ICFHA to
mitigate various issues, and worked with legislators, educating them
on proposed laws and the effects the laws would have to protect
consumers and our profession. He is very passionate about his role
in his community and beyond. Caring for families is more than a job
to Renfro. Offering unique personalized options that allow families to
honor their loved ones through ceremonies and memorialization is
what drives Renfro every day.
Lawrence Rose
Lawrence Rose is general manager of Cedar Park Cemetery, New
Cedar Park Cemetery, Beth-El Cemetery, Sanctuary of Abraham and
Sarah Mausoleum, and Garden of Memories Mausoleum all located in
Paramus, New Jersey. The combined cemeteries conduct 2,000+ annual
interments and employ more than 140 people. Rose is responsible for
all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the cemeteries. He is also
a member of the Board of Trustees of Cedar Park Cemetery, New Cedar
Park Cemetery and Fidelity Cemetery Corporation of Bergen County.
Rose graduated from the University of Rochester in 1985 with a
bachelor of arts in economics and a certificate in management studies
(accounting-finance concentration). He received his law degree from
the George Washington University in 1988 and is a member of the
New York State Bar. He joined Cedar Park Cemetery in 2009. Prior to
joining Cedar Park, he practiced law for 19 years primarily representing
international insurance and reinsurance companies. Since 2010, Rose has been a member of the ICCFA Government
& Legal Affairs Committee. He is active with both the New Jersey
Cemetery Association and the New Jersey Association of Independent
Cemeteries. He has participated in numerous meetings with New
Jersey State Senator Loretta Weinberg, New Jersey Assemblyman Gary
Schaer, members of the North Jersey Board of Rabbis and the New
Jersey Attorney General’s Office. He was instrumental in developing
an ongoing dialogue among the participants to address and resolve
matters of concern.
Rose is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Arbors
Homeowners Association in Rye Brook, New York. He is a volunteer
at the Rye Brook Youth Soccer Organization’s annual tournament.
His family also volunteers with Newtown Strong Therapy Dogs, an
organization committed to providing support to those affected by the
Sandy Hook tragedy.
Rose’s education, career as a practicing attorney, and practical
experience meeting with New Jersey politicians and regulators create
the ideal skill set needed to address the issues and concerns facing the
death care industry and the ICCFA.
Amy Shimp
Amy Shimp serves as General Manager of Dulaney Valley Memorial
Gardens, a privately-owned, 900-burial-per-year cemetery, in
Timonium, Maryland. Her responsibilities include managing
departmental functions while implementing operational and capital
projects to facilitate organizational goals. Additionally, Shimp
collaborates with financial institutions overseeing trust account
investments and generating financial statements.
Shimp began her fifteen years in the cemetery profession as a family
service counselor for a large corporation. Soon after, she was promoted
to Sales Director initiating effective sales strategies across multiple
cemeteries. Shimp’s prior experience had been diverse, ranging from
owning two gourmet ice cream shops to managing critical accounting
systems for a life insurance company. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in
Sociology and a Master of Business Administration.
Shimp is a member of ICCFA, PLPA, and CANA and serves on the board
of Greater Baltimore Economic Forum; Life Planning Resources; and
Maryland Cemetery, Funeral & Cremation Association. As MCFCA’s
legislative chair, she has hands-on experience with the state legislative
process and being a catalyst to changing laws in Maryland to benefit
the death care industry and its consumers.
Shimp embraces opportunities to support non-profit and professional
organizations, such as Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children,
Baltimore Child Abuse Center and the Baltimore County Department of
Aging.
Shimp’s extensive professional background delivers a unique
perspective relatable to consumers, business owners and industry
leaders. She is passionate about serving the community by means of
influencing legislation. These invaluable qualities complement ICCFA’s
mission and the interests of its members.
SCHEDULE
OF EVENTS
Cremation Training: February 24-25, 2016
Arranger: Feb. 24
Operator: Feb. 25
Mid-America College of Funeral Services
Jeffersonville, IN (Louisville, KY metro area)
ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition
April 13-16, 2016
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center & Hilton New Orleans
Riverside
New Orleans, LA
Cremation Training: April 19-20, 2016
Arranger: April 19
Operator: April 20
Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services
Decatur, GA
Cremation Training: May 25-26, 2016
Operator: May 25
Arranger: May 26
Dallas Institute of Funeral Services
Dallas, TX
ICCFA University
July 22-27, 2016
Fogelman Executive Center at the University of Memphis
Memphis, TN
SCHEDULE
OF EVENTS
ICCFA Fall Management Conference
October 5-7, 2016
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island, SC (off the coast of Charleston)
Wide World of Sales Conference
January 11-14, 2017
Hyatt Regency
Phoenix, AZ
ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition
March 29-April 1, 2017
Charlotte Convention Center and The Westin Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
ICCFA University
July 20-26, 2017
Fogelman Executive Center at the University of Memphis
Memphis, TN