Anthony Guerra

Guerra & Gutierrez Mortuaries
5800 E. Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
Phone: 626-331-8231

Campaign Statement

In my attempt to describe skills, experiences and interests that may benefit NFDA and its members, I reflect to encounters over my 45+ years in the profession and how the accumulated knowledge, wisdom and foundation launched my chosen career path into our beloved profession. I have been fortunate and honored to learn from some of the best founding family firms in Los Angeles.

My easy-going, calm and approachable demeanor is a personality I matured into. Like most kids, I thought I knew more than I did. At a young age working alongside family and respected leaders of our profession taught me patience and humility. Many years later, those experiences settled me into a more conservative yet proactive style to conversation and issues at hand. Our time is precious and valuable.

I believe in presenting fresh ideas and new approaches yet being consistent with our mission. To provide value to our membership, I view combining customer service with a sense of urgency. NFDA remains solid, traditional while improving on success and forging ahead with exciting programs. We know how to promote, we the have the product and venues to deliver the value. More importantly, we carry the responsibility of fulfilling the standards we’ve created. This belief is critical for maintaining and attracting new membership and followers.

Looking ahead and a promising core of emerging leaders developing, we have an opportunity to establish infinite possibilities for the next generation of funeral directors. Seamless communication and collaboration amongst leadership is paramount to the success of our vision. By far the most impactful learning experience in my professional career was the honor and privilege of serving on the Funeral Service Foundation. My tenure on the Funeral Service Foundation’s Board of Trustees provided significant insight to the inner workings and relationship with NFDA. More importantly, it brought a newfound respect to NFDA and its leadership.

Working hand in hand with then President Bryant Hightower, providing grants to the many programs enhancing the careers of deserving individuals and establishing the first scholarships towards Advocacy was beyond gratifying. I feel we have an opportunity to get more of our youth in the game with Advocacy and beyond. I hope to expand on scholarships and initiatives making us the premier association in the profession. Like so many before me, I plan on advocating the good word and work of NFDA while building a stronger west coast presence.

Campaign Bio

I am a second-generation Angelino born and raised in East Los Angeles. Upon entering junior high school my family moved to the city of Whittier, California where I reside to this day. My wife is a former elementary school teacher and together have raised two sons presently attending universities in the Los Angeles area. We enjoy our annual family golf vacations to Hawaii and Palm Springs. Our best times and family memories are on those travels. Other family interests include visits to Disneyland, air shows, Angels Baseball and USC Football. Living in Southern California leaves no shortage of activities.

Raised in the family business and witnessing my father build what he did from nothing was an unforgettable experience. Amongst many things, I answered phones at age 10, made first calls and directed services at age 16 all instilling a sense of purpose, meaning and pride. Today’s era differs with challenging issues unlike before. I’ve lived on mountain tops and the deepest valley and when I need encouragement, I look to a quote from Sir Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” This mentality I hope to bring to NFDA.

Bobby Steven Spann

Spann Funeral Home
1961 Hwy 48 North
1616 Church Street
Dickson, TN
Phone: 615-446-1123

Campaign Statement

I am confident that my 42-year career offers a history of dedication and commitment to the funeral service profession. I truly love being a practicing funeral director (I have owned two funeral homes for decades) in addition to being the President of the John A. Gupton College for over a quarter of a century. I might be the only candidate for a board position that brings this unique combination to the board of directors of NFDA.

For 28 years, I have been able to lead others in a way that has given voice to enhanced quality funeral service on a national, state, and local level. I have also guided hundreds of Mortuary Science student’s successfully to final licensure which is a major step in having a career in funeral service.

I was raised by good solid parents who taught me to be honest and impartial in my interactions with people and voice my thoughts and opinions. It was my honor to serve as President of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association, and during the elevation to that office I served in every association office in that organization. I am not a rookie with association processes, procedures, and politics. In addition to this valuable life experience, I deal daily with the public, conduct funeral services, and serve families from every walk of life. Because of my vast experience with people from every conceivable socio-economic status in life I know the skills of being diplomatic. I believe I would be a valuable ambassador to assist in guiding NFDA’s future and communicating the value of membership.

My life has been spent pursuing knowledge about every aspect of the funeral service profession. I possess higher academic degrees and I am an insatiable learner. I am also an effective project manager. I have built a new funeral home, overseen the renovation of the college campus, as well as guiding accreditation studies, curriculum development, funeral home business plans, and funeral home accounting and fiscal policies.

I would also like to share that I place high value on discretion and confidentiality. The NFDA community will find me a trustworthy and worthy candidate for consideration for this position. It is my sincere desire to serve as a voice that magnifies the nobility of this great profession as a member of the NFDA Board of Directors.

Campaign Bio

I am a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the State of Tennessee for more than 42 years. I live in Dickson, Tennessee with my wife Meryl and Daughter Madison. I hold the AA Degree from John A. Gupton College, the BS Degree from Lipscomb University, and the MS Degree from Trevecca University. I am President of John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science since 1994. Founder and owner of Humphreys County Funeral Home, Waverly, TN and Spann Funeral Home Dickson, TN. Active in the local community and the professional community. Served as President of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association. Member of the American Board of Funeral Service Education, and served six years on the Committee on Accreditation, four years as committee chair, providing oversight and accreditation of the fifty-six mortuary programs in the United States.

My unique experience in both the funeral service profession, as an owner/operator, and my funeral service education background, as a Mortuary College President, provides a perspective uniquely qualified for a Board member. I believe that funeral service is one of the most noble professions. It is our duty to build and mold the appearance, the ethical standards, and the educational knowledge of our future.

Brad Walker

Walker Funeral Home
187 South Main
Spanish Fork, UT
Phone: 801-319-5159

Campaign Statement

I am passionate about raising the bar of funeral professionals. I believe I bring a skill set that will complement our national association and bring insight and perspective that will help as we move into the future.

I love learning and sharing knowledge with others. My bachelor’s degree in Psychology helped me to build skills to understand and analyze human behavior and find solutions that can help build others personally and collectively. My M.B.A helped me to develop tools and understanding in business, specifically in in areas of finance, accounting, marketing, business ethics, operations, management, and leadership.

I have had many opportunities to help educate others and build a bright future for funeral service. I have taught at Salt Lake Community College as an adjunct professor in the Mortuary Science program, and I often guest lecture at Brigham Young University. I enjoy teaching and presenting to large and small groups and have appreciated opportunities to teach and present often.

I have enjoyed working in many councils and boards. I appreciate listening to and understanding varied perspectives and coming to mutually beneficial decisions. I commit to continually spending time to listen to the diverse experiences and pain points that our profession experiences. I will also strive to find and create win-win solutions for all involved.

I have loved my time serving on the board of The Utah Funeral Directors Association and most recently as President. I have tried to help continually grow our association by sharing the importance of the benefits available and portraying the value that can be gained through membership. I plan to continue focusing on those aspects on a national level.

I know the importance of making sure that we have positive advocacy. While serving in our state as the Chair of the legislative committee I was privileged with the opportunity to help in new legislation. I was grateful for the opportunity to work with our lobbyist, legislators, and our board to ensure that association interests were met and implemented from a legislative position.

As a funeral director it has been an honor for me to help take difficult situations in others’ lives and construct them into positive experiences. I would be honored to help continually create positive experiences for NFDA and its members. It would be my privilege to serve in NFDA.

Campaign Bio

I have spent all my life in funeral service. I own and operate two funeral locations with my family. I strive to do all I can to help raise the bar in funeral service, maintain the highest ethics, and educate others on the value of our profession.

My priorities in life are family, faith, and friends. I love to help others grow personally and professionally. I believe people are one of the best investments you can make. I have been fortunate to invest my time in serving others and helping others around me thrive. My background has helped me prioritize the important things and learn to properly handle intensely stressful situations. I have a thirst for knowledge and continually push myself to learn and improve in all I do.

I have enjoyed the value and offerings that NFDA brings. I have striven to utilize those offerings by becoming a Certified Preplanning Consultant and Certified Crematory Operator. I also take pride in being a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner. I strive to do all I can to grow personally and professionally. I am honored to offer my time and service to help others.

Ellen Wynn McBrayer

Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes & Crematory
306 Westview Drive
Villa Rica, GA
Phone: 770-459-3694

Campaign Statement

Funeral service isn’t what I do, it’s who I am.

I have a passion for funeral service, founded in principles by past generations and yet open-minded to growing and adapting for the future. The National Funeral Directors Association is a foundational part of who I am in funeral service. The NFDA is the anchor for funeral homes, allowing us the ability to serve our communities to the best of our abilities.

Some experiences, skills, and interests that I will bring to the Board of Directors that will benefit the NFDA and its members is my love and passion for funeral service. In my life, I have faced many challenges that have shaped me into the leader I am today.

I am rooted in the “whatever it takes” approach. I can’t explain it or tell you in one campaign statement “why”, but anyone who knows me knows that I love big, work hard, and never shy away from doing the right thing.

Funeral service, networking, and serving others, to me, is more relaxing than sitting on the beach somewhere. I was born with funeral service and NFDA in my DNA. I have worked very hard on many local committees and boards, and NFDA committees that have prepared me for the NFDA Board.

My core values are to treat others as I would want to be treated, remain fair and respectful to others, work hard as an entire team, and never stop learning. Many other leaders have told me they admire the fact that I’m a progressive thinker who could help in NFDA’s mission to remain a leader in our industry. Serving a suburb of Atlanta, we care for many different cultures and communities. I believe NFDA helps us do that, and I, in return, will use our day-to-day experience to benefit NFDA and its members as a whole. When I believe in something, anyone who knows me will agree that I believe in it with my whole heart. Funeral service is one of my top missions in life. I am loyal and committed on my life journey in funeral service.

Campaign Bio

I’m an emotional first responder. My husband and I are a third-generation husband/wife team of licensed funeral directors. Growing up in funeral service provided me with an invaluable foundation of knowledge and experience that I use to provide personal, caring, respectful service to families. When I was in college, my dad died suddenly of a massive heart attack. This was the moment that I knew my calling was back into funeral service. I learned that, “A funeral isn’t just a day in a life, but a lifetime in a day.”

My calling back into the family business was suddenly bigger than me. Continuing the family tradition and starting a family, we then faced another crossroad we didn’t expect. It was discovered that our 2nd born wouldn’t survive childbirth due to major complications, including heart and DiGeorge Syndrome birth defects. We knew of a world of healthy babies and a world of babies who are taken too soon. Our journey with a newborn on hospice to a miracle of his survival helped grow me as a person to better serve and care for families in funeral service. I am living out my calling and purpose.

James M. "Jimmy" Olson

Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service
1132 Superior Avenue
Sheboygan, WI
Phone: 920-452-1481

Campaign Statement

For the last 17 years, I have trained and served as a spokesperson for the NFDA and also as one of the spokespersons for the NFDA annual convention. I have participated in hundreds of interviews in paper, radio, TV all over the world where I have been entrusted to tell the story of NFDA and funeral directors from all around the world. I have served both on the Pursuit of Excellence committee andas chairperson of the group. I helped write the program outline for the Green Burial Certificate Program and serve onthat committee.

I have also been honored to be a part of the CPC review committee, presenter at Meet the Mentors and have been an 18 year attendee at Advocacy in Washington DC. I am currently serving as the Wisconsin Representative to the NFDA Forum but have served as the WI Policy Board Representative since 2016 and as an alternate for WI for 16 years 5 Wisconsin Executive Directors and have also attended the last 18 years at the NFDA Leadership Conference.

I am proud to serve as an educator and presenter for the NFDA at convention, online and at international conventions. I believe all of this experience would help me better serve the NFDA on a larger national level and platform. I look forward to bringing my insight onto the executive board.

Campaign Bio

Jimmy is a first-generation funeral director and began his career in funeral service in Connecticut in 1997 when he graduated from Briarwood College of Mortuary Science. He also holds degrees in music and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Pre Med Biology from the Southern Connecticut State University. He owns & operates Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Sheboygan, WI.

He is an educator on green burials, chair of the NFDA Green Burial Workgroup, co-chair of the NFDA Pursuit of Excellence and serves as a spokesperson for the National Funeral Directors Association. Jimmy has traveled around the world educating funeral homes and directors as well as consumers about natural burials, cremation, innovating marketing and funeral home and crematory management.

He has written several articles and has been quoted in several publications including NFDA’s Director Magazine, The New York Times, The Economist, and The Wall Street Journal. Jimmy is a member of several professional organizations. He is currently a Past President of the WFDA and serves as the Representative from Wisconsin for NFDA. He is also an International member of FIAT-IFTA and the NAFD in England.

Kristal Dufour - withdrew candidacy on May 9, 2022

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home
805 Ellsworth St SW
Albany, OR
Phone: 541-926-5541

Campaign Statement

Excellence in all things is what drives me to be a great funeral director, small business co-owner and community leader. My experience in navigating a cultural shift in perspective while providing new and meaningful experiences for our community to celebrate their loved one gives me the experience I need to contribute to our profession on a national level.

Each funeral home is unique, and each community is unique, but excellence is universal. NFDA needs to inspire and empower each member firm to not settle for the funeral service of the past but to strive for excellence in meeting the changing needs of their communities.

Campaign Bio

Life is not a question to be answered, but a journey to be experienced. My journey consists of being a wife, mother, nana, funeral director, small business co-owner, and community leader. I believe in excellence in all things and strive to encourage those around me to achieve excellence also.

Oregon is my home. My husband and I have co-owned our firm since 2005. We have had to learn how to adapt and thrive with a changing cultural perspective on what funeral service should look like. I take pride in the fact that our firm is nimble and continues to grow as we learn new ways for our community to celebrate the life of their loved ones. I am passionate, about providing a wow factor to each and every family through customization and attention to detail. I believe that my geographical location and success of navigating the paradigm shifts in our industry would bring a fresh and timely perspective.

Timothy J Schramm

Howe-Peterson Funeral Homes LLC.
22546 Michigan Ave.
Dearborn, MI
Phone: 313-561-1500

Campaign Statement

My passion is to help others, whether caring for a deceased, helping a client family, my teammates, the communities I serve and live in or my profession. It has been an honor and a privilege to have a career as a Funeral Service Professional! My Dad always told me, “Find something you love to do, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” He was so right.

I began my career at Howe-Peterson as a part-time Funeral Service Associate, then a Resident Trainee. I became a Licensed Funeral Director, Location Manager, Director of Operations, COO and now the Owner and CEO.

I have served the funeral service profession in the Michigan Funeral Directors Association from the District level, the MFDA Board and as President. One of my initiatives as the MFDA President was the creation of the MFDA Leadership Academy to create future leaders for our association, in funeral homes and in our communities. I am currently a Trustee for the Michigan Mortuary Science Foundation and served as the President from 2016-2021. I have participated in numerous Task Force, Workgroups and as a Program Speaker for both the MFDA and NFDA. I have served as a Funeral Service Foundation Trustee since 2020.

I firmly believe excellence happens through education. After graduating from the Wayne State University Mortuary Science Program, I have continued to serve on the WSU Mortuary Science Program Advisory Board, the WSU-EACPHS Board of Visitors and the WSU Alumni Association Board participating in scholarship programs, reaccreditation, guest lectures and mentoring initiatives.

I believe we all have to be life long learners. I have earned my CFSP, CMFP, CCO and CCSP. I have participated in NFDA Leadership Conference, Advocacy Conference, Convention and Expo, MFDA Annual Convention and have been a speaker for the MFDA Roadshow.

I am actively involved in mass fatality response management. I am the Commander of MI-MORT, Michigan’s Mass Fatality Response Team and I am a Victim Advocate for DMORT and NDMS.

I bring to the NFDA Board a passion for information and education, helping our current and future professionals to understand our biggest challenges. I will advocate for better state and federal education and preparation for mass fatality incidents.

I have a passion to help others and serve. So, I would be honored and humbled to be elected by my peers as a NFDA At-large Representative.

Campaign Bio

Timothy J. Schramm, CFSP, CMFP, CCO, CCSP, Licensed Funeral Director, Owner/CEO Howe-Peterson Funeral Homes LLC.

Tim grew up in Taylor, Michigan. He went on to attend Wayne State University in Detroit and play football from 1983-1986, where he earned academic and athletic honors. He was fortunate enough to be invited to three professional football training camps. Tim returned to WSU as a football coach and graduated from the Mortuary Science Program in 1989.

Tim began his career at Howe-Peterson in 1988 as a Funeral Service Associate, then a Resident Trainee, Funeral Director, Location Manager, Director of Operations, COO and then became Owner/CEO in 2017.

Tim spent time as an official in the MHSAA for 20 years and the NCAA for 22 years. Tim has served the MFDA as President 2014-2015 and MMSF President 2016-2021. He is the Commander of MI-MORT, Michigan’s Mass Fatality Response Team and a member of DMORT and NDMS. Tim is currently a Funeral Service Foundation Trustee.

Tim serves on the WSU Mortuary Science Program Advisory Board, WSU-EACPHS Board of Visitors and the WSU Alumni Association Board.

Tim and his wife of 32 years Cheryl, have two sons Joshua and Joseph.