Through a partnership with the Funeral Service Foundation, National Guardian Life Insurance Company announced its commitment of $100,000 to establish two named scholarships in memory of Harry Pontone and Mark Hornibrook. “Harry and Mark had a tremendous impact on the funeral service industry, and we are honored to remember and celebrate their legacies through these scholarships,” said Knut Olson, NGL president and CEO.
Pontone started in the funeral industry when he joined South Brooklyn Casket Company, founded by his father, Thomas Pontone, in 1931. Through expansion and combination, the company eventually become the second-largest casket company, with Pontone as president and CEO. He even earned a funeral director’s license in order to better understand the challenges and needs of funeral directors, and he instilled this passion to serve in his sons; Scott Pontone now serves as president of Trust 100 and owns several funeral homes.
Said Scott Pontone: “The scholarship is a wonderful tribute to my father and his love for funeral service. Thank you, NGL, for your generosity in [helping] new professionals enter this amazing community of caregivers. It warms my heart to know it will carry out his legacy.”
A compassionate, intelligent business leader, Mark Hornibrook created industry-defining products and founded companies, including preneed company Precoa. His vision was to create a company that offered a proactive approach to advance planning and provided meaningful connection for thousands of families. The scholarship in his name is available for individuals committed to advancing the profession and fostering a workplace that puts people first.
Said Tyler Hornibrook, Precoa vice president of marketing: “My father valued education and loved this profession. He was dedicated to improving the way funerals are preplanned in America and fostering a workplace that puts people first. We’re grateful to NGL for its generous commitment to establish an academic scholarship in Mark’s memory. It’s such a meaningful way to carry on his legacy, and as we continue to attract caring and talented people to this profession, we’ll help build a future Mark would be proud of.”
In other news, NGL recently promoted Robert Heins to regional vice president of sales. In this role, he will focus on developing and enhancing preneed business development opportunities with NGL’s marketing organizations, independent agents and agencies.
Heins joined NGL in 2006 as a processing representative and has enhanced his preneed expertise through a variety of partner- and agent-focused roles during his career. He holds a business, management, marketing and related support services degree from Madison Area Technical College, as well as FLMI Level 1 and ACS LOMA insurance certifications. nglic.com