Johnson Consulting Group added five consultants to its Business Consulting Services team. Gill Giddens, Doug Wagemann and Doug Miller are seasoned experts with hands-on experience in funeral home and cemetery operations. Lacy Robinson and David Shank are recognized authorities in training, coaching and business communications. These individuals will help JCG clients succeed in customer service, workplace development, strategic planning, and financial and performance management.
Giddens started his career in 1991, assisting families in the Dallas-Fort Worth community with future-planning needs. In 2003, he and his brother built four funeral homes (three cremation-focused and one traditional) in Dallas-Fort Worth. Giddens has extensive experience in sales and operations, and developing individuals and teams.
For more than 45 years, Miller has worked for independent funeral homes, Service Corporation International, The Hamilton Group, Keystone Group and Park Lawn Corporation. He has held various management positions, including regional president, COO and president, and has been licensed as an embalmer, funeral director, cemetery broker and preneed insurance agent. During his 22 years with SCI, Miller was also governmental relations liaison for Nevada and worked as an SCI field trainer. He is a past president of the Nevada Funeral Directors Association and former member of the Ohio and California funeral directors associations.
Wagemann joined JCG as president and owner of Wagemann Holdings, which owns funeral businesses in California. He graduated from Cypress College of Mortuary Science, earned a bachelor’s degree in business management (operations) and a master’s in business administration (finance). Wagemann has held operational management positions within SCI and Carriage Services, as well as various roles in banking and hospice. He has also served as an adjunct professor, teaching financial/cost analysis and strategic planning.
Robinson offers clients more than 14 years of success in developing and facilitating customer service training programs. An experienced coach and speaker, she has helped Aurora Casket Company and NFDA provide training and development for funeral professionals. Robinson is a licensed funeral director/embalmer, certified funeral celebrant and certified member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, where she previously served on its Board of Trustees. Robinson holds a bachelor’s degree in communications, is a graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service and currently serves as an instructor for Worsham College of Mortuary Science.
Shank began his funeral service career in 1973. He holds a degree in mortuary science, a bachelor’s in business quality management and an Executive Master of Business Administration. Formerly a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Missouri and Kansas, Shank joined Batesville Casket Company in 1997 as a sales representative and later worked as a regional sales director and sales consultant. He was inducted into Batesville’s Masters Club in 2012 and concluded his career there as sales training manager. His consulting work specializes in relationship building, arranger training, sales and merchandising strategies, customer satisfaction and business profitability. johnsonconsulting.com