Home Conferences Meet the Mentors Mentors

Meet the 2024 Mentors!

Jay Dietz, VP, Operations

JayDietzJay is an accomplished and passionate operations leader with deep roots in funeral service since 1993. After joining Vertin in 1995, he spent the next eighteen years as a managing funeral director of firms in West Central, MN, until becoming a key member of the organization’s leadership team in 2013. Today, as Vice President of Operations, Jay is responsible for all funeral home operations, providing strategic leadership and ensuring all associates have the resources, tools, and support they need to offer the highest level of service to all families.

Kenneth Howe, President, Chief Executive Officer, Owner

KennethHoweKenneth R. Howe is a resident of Lebanon and grew up in his family business. He is a graduate of Lebanon High School, Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Southwest Baptist University, and Missouri State University. He is an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, the Lebanon Rotary Club (past president), Former Chairman of the Mercy Hospital Foundation,and the President of the Mercy Board of Directors. He is a former chairman and member of the Missouri State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. He was named the 2012 Funeral Director of the Year by the American Funeral Director magazine and is active in the daily management of the family business. His firm was awarded the 2015 NFDA "Best of the Best" Award.

Virginia ‘Jenni’ Bryant, CFSP, CCO

VirginiaBryantJenni F. Bryant, CFSP, CCO, is a native of East Tennessee and is the General Manager of Smith Life & Legacy in Maryville, TN. A Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer, Jenni is a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta. She is a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and is the immediate Past President. Jenni has previously served on the NFDA Convention Education Task Force Committee, The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards National Board Exam Committee and is a Certified Crematory Operator. She and her husband David have one son, Logan who recently graduated John A. Gupton College of Funeral Service in Nashville.

Guest Speakers

Duane Hills

Hils-DuaneDuane E. Hills is President of Joseph Gawler’s Son Funeral Home in Washington, DC. Originally from rural Pennsylvania he moved to New York State before attending Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, New York. In 2008, Duane transferred to SCI to manage a group of funeral homes and a cemetery in Lufkin, TX.

In 2012, he transferred to Washington, DC where he became the Assistant Manager at Joseph Gawler's Sons. Today, he holds the position of President.

Over the years he has held memberships with Rotary International, local fire departments, historical societies, churches, various Lincoln Groups as well as numerous volunteer opportunities to serve his community. He has also served on the DC Board of Funeral Directors and is licensed in DC, Virginia and New York State.

In 2022 Duane self-published a book on the history of Joseph Gawler's Sons entitled, "One Block West of the White House." His book has made it into the Presidential Library at the White House, the Law Library at the United States Supreme Court and the Scottish Rite Temple Library in Washington, DC.