The Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky held its 141st Annual State Convention in Louisville June 6-7. The theme was “Welcome to Fabulous Louisville, Kentucky,” and funeral directors from many surrounding states attended. FDAK President Bill Mullins, Middendorf-Bullock Funeral Homes, and his wife, Nancy, along with NFDA At-Large Rep. Steve Spann and wife Meryl, cut the ribbon to officially open the trade show.
This year’s continuing education offerings featured: Poul Lemasters, Lemasters Consulting, “CYA: The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Business”; Duane Hills, Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home, Washington, D.C., “Joseph Gawler’s Sons: Funeral Home of the Presidents”; Bill Johnston, president, Post & Boost, “How to Be Known, Trusted and Celebrated on Facebook” and “Busting the Myths of Local Advertising for Funeral Homes”; and Bill Ford, president of SESCO Management Consultants, “Recruiting and Retaining Great Staff” and “Wage and Hour Compliance.”
Wesley Rominger, Rominger Funeral Home, Manchester, was sworn in as FDAK president June 7 by now Immediate Past President Mullins. NFDA’s Spann swore in the remaining FDAK Board members and district directors.
FDAK Board of Directors: Wesley Rominger, president; Grant Bolt, chairman of the board; Bill Mullins, immediate past president; Brandy Harwood, president-elect; Chad Townsend, vice president; John Hill, secretary/treasurer; and Kyle Wolfe, sergeant-at-arms.
FDAK District Directors: Louis Linnemann, Northern District; Doherty Reynolds, Central District; Laura Neal, Eastern District; Tony Floro, Southcentral District; Jason Steele, Southeastern District; Frank Giles, Western District; and Lee Muster, Southern District.
Convention chaplin Philip Brown also held the annual Service of Remembrance to honor the Kentucky funeral directors, sales club members and family members who had died since the last convention. The Messenger Co. provided a commemorative ornament to the families of the deceased.
In addition, outgoing President Mullins presented a plaque of appreciation to each funeral home in eastern Kentucky that served families of the recent devastating floods. FDAK also honored 50- and 60-year-licensed funeral directors and firms that have been in business for 50-75 and 100 years.
Finally, at this year’s convention, FDAK celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Funeral Funding Trust of Kentucky. fdaofky.com