Carlos Black

Carlos Black 
Small's Mortuary Inc
950 S Broad St.
Mobile, AL 36603
cblack@smallsmortuary.com
817-319-2973

Campaign Statement

Carlos D. Black, Dedicated Leader, Experienced Funeral Service Professional, and Advocate for Excellence

I am Carlos D. Black, a dedicated funeral service professional with a passion for excellence, leadership, and service to families and communities. With a career spanning over thirty years from funeral attendant to General Manager, I have gained extensive experience in all facets of the funeral industry, including operations management, staff development, and strategic growth. My journey through the ranks has provided me with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within our profession, equipping me with the insight and leadership necessary to contribute meaningfully to the National Funeral Directors Association and its members.

As a licensed and accredited funeral director in Alabama and Texas, I have consistently demonstrated a commitment to upholding the highest standards of service, ethics, and innovation. My experience managing funeral home operations across multiple locations has strengthened my ability to implement effective policies, enhance customer experiences, and ensure business sustainability in an ever-evolving industry.

Beyond my professional expertise, I am also an ordained minister, serving at Beth Eden Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. This role has further shaped my perspective on the importance of compassionate service, community engagement, and ethical leadership—qualities that I believe are essential for guiding the future of our profession.

If elected to the Board of Directors, I will bring:

Leadership & Operational Expertise: Proven experience in managing funeral home operations, ensuring efficiency, financial sustainability, and service excellence.
Mentorship & Professional Development: A commitment to supporting and mentoring the next generation of funeral service professionals, fostering a culture of growth and continuous learning.

Advocacy & Industry Advancement: A strong voice for policies and initiatives that enhance the profession, protect funeral service professionals, and improve service standards nationwide.
Community Engagement & Ethical Leadership. A focus on strengthening relationships between funeral professionals, families, and the communities we serve, ensuring that our industry remains respected and trusted.

The National Funeral Directors Association plays a crucial role in shaping the future of funeral service, and I am eager to contribute my knowledge, experience, and passion to further its mission. I would be honored to serve as a representative and advocate for my fellow professionals, working together to elevate our industry and ensure its continued success.

I appreciate your consideration and support, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve.

Christopher Costello

Mothe Funeral Homes Inc
1300 Vallette St
New Orleans, LA 70114
chriscosnomfh@gmail.com
504-710-8789

Campaign Statement

I am originally from California but have lived in New Orleans for the past 30 years. As a fourth career funeral director, my experience outside the funeral industry as a chemist, an educator, a business leader, and a consultant gives me a unique perspective on how other industries serve the public and operate. It is this experience that I want to bring to the NFDA and the funeral industry as a whole. What attracted me to funeral service was the ability to leverage my skillsets to help others. These are skills I have learned and honed over the years through my formal education and in my careers as well as through my volunteering where I have held various positions from volunteer, to board member to officer. I am energized to lend a different perspective to the challenges the industry faces, to offer insights on how it has worked in other place and to help bring solutions to the table that will elevate and advance NFDA and the industry.