The International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) held its latest conference, called PROGRESS, in at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, California. The gathering hosted attendees from 13 states and six countries.
The opening keynote session, “Leadership Lessons from the Happiest Place on Earth,” offered insights into Walt Disney’s customer service excellence and leadership strategies. Other educational offerings included “Fostering the Future: Industry-Education Partnerships Supporting Funeral Service Students and Staff”; “Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Funeral Service: Hiring, Retaining, Motivating, and Team Development for Business Growth”; “Future-Proof Your Funeral Home: Marketing for 2025 and Beyond”; and “Funeral Arrangements to Die For,” among others.
During the Golden Circle Celebration Dinner, OGR inducted its 2025-26 board of directors. Kim R. Hunter, owner of Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles-Newbigging Chapel Limited in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, will serve as president.
In addition, Jamie Wieting of Wieting Family Funeral Home, Chilton, Wisconsin, assumed the role of past president. Peter Urban Jr. of Anton B. Urban Funeral Home Inc., Ambler, Pennsylvania, was installed as president-elect. And Justin Zabor of Zabor Funeral Home Inc., Parma, Ohio, was installed as secretary/treasurer.
The ceremony also included the reinstallation of board members Larnique Mickens of Heritage Mortuary Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada, and Adam Guthrie of Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Franklin, Pennsylvania.
The board welcomed Gregory McClary of Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home – Westland, Westland, Michigan, and Bruce Parthemore of Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, for their first term.
During the dinner, the association also announced the winners of its 2025 Professional Service Awards. These awards honor individuals and funeral homes that display exceptional dedication, innovation and commitment to excellence in the profession. Kevin Opsahl of Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, South Dakota, received the Golden Light Award. This award is given to an individual member who inspires others by their commitment to service.
OGR presented the Golden Rule Community Service Award to Raffy Jose of Arlington Memorial Chapels, Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. This award singles out a member firm for outstanding activities benefiting local organizations and/or the community it serves.
To conclude the awards, Farmer & Son Funeral Home, Geneva, Nebraska; Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler Mortuaries & Crematory, Omaha, Nebraska; and Oliverie Funeral Home, Manchester, New Jersey, each received the Exemplary Service Award. This honor recognizes member firms that display outstanding professionalism and provide exemplary service to the families they serve.
OGR will hold PROGRESS 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5-7, 2026.
In other news, OGR named Gary Del Vecchio director of membership development. His career in sales and business development spans more than 20 years. In this role, he will build connections with current and prospective members, expand the association’s network of independently owned funeral homes, and advance its supplier partnerships.
Said Del Vecchio of his new position: “I’m excited to contribute to the continued growth of this respected organization and to connect with those who are passionate about providing meaningful service to families and communities.” ogr.org