Steve Spann

Spann Funeral Home
1961 Hwy 48 North
Dickson, TN 37055
spann@guptoncollege.edu
615-347-4955

Campaign Statement

My forty-four-year career in the funeral service profession offers a rich history of dedication and commitment to both leading and serving others. If given the chance, I would choose funeral service again. I truly love being a funeral director and embalmer (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 think that I am the only person in NFDA history to bring this unique combination to the board of directors of NFDA.

For the past 30 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 guided hundreds of Mortuary Science students 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, as well as every office of the Association. 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 diplomacy and 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. Also, I am an effective project manager. In my experiences, I have built a new funeral home, and overseen the renovation of the college campus. I have guided accreditation studies, curriculum development, funeral home business plans, as well as 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.

For information go to www.stevespann.net

Campaign Bio

I am Steve Spann and I have worked in the funeral profession for the past 44 years in Tennessee. I live in Dickson, Tennessee with my wife Meryl and daughter Madison. I hold the AA Degree from John A. Gupton College, BS Degree from Lipscomb University, and MS Degree from Trevecca University. Since 1994 I have served as President of John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science. Founder and owner of Humphreys County Funeral Home, Waverly, TN and Spann Funeral Home, Dickson, TN. I am very active in the local community and professional community. Served as President of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association. Member of the American Board of Funeral Service Education, and served six years, four as chair, on the Committee on Accreditation, providing oversight and accreditation of the 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 R Walker

Walker Funeral Home
1553 South 910 West
Payson, UT 84651
emailbradwalker@gmail.com
801-319-5159

Campaign Statement

I know the importance of what you do as a funeral director. You are there in the most tender moments and help memorialize loved ones so that their legacies live on. You are a steward of the most sacred things in life. Thank you for being a funeral director and for your passion and commitment.

Like you I am also passionate about funeral service and love to help raise the bar of funeral professionals. I have been honored to serve on NFDA’s Board of Directors as an At-Large Representative. It really has been an honor to serve, and I hope to continue serving on the Board of Directors. I want to help amplify your voice and make sure you have the resources you need to continue to be an amazing funeral director.

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 areas of finance, accounting, marketing, business ethics, operations, management, and leadership.

I have appreciated NFDA’s offerings, and I am a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), Certified Crematory Operator (CCO), and Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC). I also enjoyed serving on the Audit Task Force, Budget Task Force, Spokesperson Team, and Headquarter Operations Committee. 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.

Whether I am with a family, in the prep room, or out on a service, I know the importance of what we do. We give experiences to families. We give opportunities to grieve. We help form the customs and culture of grief, death, and memorialization. NFDA has so many resources and the ability to help funeral directors everywhere be their best. I hope to share those resources with you, and look for new opportunities to help us continue to be pillars in our communities and the ones that families trust with their loved ones.

I will strive to serve with my all. I would be honored for your support to continue my service as secretary of NFDA. More info available at www.bradwalkerinfo.com

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 utilized those offerings by becoming a Certified Preplanning Consultant and Certified Crematory Operator. I also take pride in earning my MBA and 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. More info available at www.bradwalkerinfo.com