What are you known for Professionally? What do you have a knack for? Having a background in Funeral Directing and understanding the challenges and changes that we have all faced over the past several years, I bring a “can do” attitude and willingness to step outside the box in thinking and planning, from a leadership perspective. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so I believe in working as a team to meet our challenges and our goals. I am open and receptive to change and find excitement in being a trail blazer or the one who is willing to try something different. I laugh a lot and I have a very heavy southern drawl being a native Tennessean, so most people recognize my presence pretty quickly… but I always try my best to bring positive energy to those I am around. I can be easily identified at times by being the “guy with the bowtie”, funny socks, and most recently neat shoe laces!

What are you most passionate about professionally? What most excites you about your work and the contribution you can make? I have to say that I am driven by a few passions in my career and in this industry. First, we have an amazing opportunity to impact lives and families across many communities through the ability to care and show compassion. I would have never imagined where my decision to become a Funeral Director would lead me or the places that I have found myself where I could make a difference. I have an ongoing passion for caring for and serving people who, in one of life’s most difficult moments, need someone to help guide difficult decisions and care for them and those who grieve. Beyond being part of a greater brotherhood of funeral practitioners, my passion in leadership is to serve my teammates and empower, inspire, and provide our teams on the frontlines of daily serving families with all the support and resources that we can possibly give them so that they, in turn, can realize the joy in their service to others and have the confidence and abilities to exceed the expectations of those they serve. It’s a joy to me to see my fellow teammates being successful and fulfilled and find reward from their selflessness, sacrifices, and contributions that they make every day!

Who have you worked for in the past? And what have you done for them? Going back to the beginning, I was a first-generation Funeral Director in my family and really had no ties to anyone in the industry. My first “gig” out of college in Nashville, TN was with a rather large and successful family -owned operation in Knoxville, Mynatt Funeral Home. Buddy Coomer gave me my first shot as a licensed Funeral Director, along with “Bud” his dad and a whole team of other seasoned Funeral Directors who taught me a lot and provided me with a solid foundation. From there, I was invited to join Stewart Enterprises, which later was acquired by SCI. I spent nearly 5 years with them in the role of Funeral Director and leadership as they provided my first opportunity in management. Later, I was recruited to Foundation Partners and over the next 6 years I had a great opportunity to work in the roles of Location Leader, Integration Manager, Director of Virtual Services, and lastly Market Leader. I have been blessed by every opportunity that I have enjoyed over the last 14 years by not only working for some of the best businesses in the industry, but I have worked alongside some of the best men and women in our business! I couldn’t be doing what I do today had it not been for all these experiences that I have been blessed with having!

What are you passionate about personally? What do you really enjoy? I am passionate about growth and gratitude. Over the last few years, I have been much more active in the gym and taking care of my physical self. I value the people and relationships I have in my life and I am adamant about creating and maintaining a balance. I want to continue to learn. A favorite quote, “ develop a passion for learning and you will never cease to grow.” Anything that allows for opportunities to learn something new is always welcomed, whether that be travel to a new place, try a new recipe because I love to cook, look for a change in my current workouts, carve out a weekend for friends or family, etc… I love and appreciate it all!

Where can we find you when you’re not working? What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or a Sunday afternoon? Most likely you would find me at home playing catchup from chores that I have to do because I travel a good bit for work…lol! In honesty, I’ve come to value my time at home with my two best companions, Henry and Dolly Jolene, as it can be limited. I love time in the yard or on the couch with my pups! I also like my time in the kitchen cooking for those I enjoy spending time with… I’ve gotten pretty good on a charcoal grill over the last year! Hiking or being out on the lake are always a relaxing way to decompress too! And about 5-6 days per week, I will be at my local gym.

Where did you grow up and why aren’t you there now? I was born in Boone, NC but lived all of my young life in a small rural area of East Tennessee. The mountains of home will always be beautiful, and I realize I was very blessed to grow up there, surrounded by the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. I’m a country kid at heart, but coming from a rural place, I always had dreams of seeing and living in other areas too. I attended college in Nashville, TN and following graduation and beginning my funeral service career, I have had the opportunity to also live in Charlotte, NC, returned home for a small stint to Tennessee, and I am now preparing for a move to the beautiful Gulf Coast area of Florida, where I have always dreamed of living. Home will always be in those hills of East Tennessee, but I am thankful to also get the opportunity to live out my childhood dreams of experiencing some amazing landscapes beyond home.

What is impossible for you to give up? My drive for always wanting to improve and grow. Hope in things that I can’t see now but believe in my heart can happen. Endearing relationships with family and friends that sustain me. My faith and beliefs… I couldn’t do this walk alone! And Diet Coke and Peanut M&M’s… I know it’s awful, but it is what it is!