Our Board Leadership
Committed. Engaged. Moving Us Forward.
The Board of Trustees is made up of men and women from across the profession whose participation is based solely upon a belief in – and a commitment to – the Foundation’s mission of lifting up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service.
Each member of our board leadership team may serve up to two three-year terms. In accordance with Foundation bylaws, at least 60% of the Board of Trustees must be licensed funeral directors and maintain membership with the National Funeral Directors Association.

2023-2024 Funeral Service Foundation Executive Committee
L-R: NFDA Liaison Chris Robinson, Treasurer David Falconer, Chair Mark Krause, Immediate Past Chair Lisa Baue, Chair-Elect John Heald

Mark Krause | 2023-24 Chair
Krause addressed the general session during the 2023 NFDA International Convention & Expo in Las Vegas, NV.
“The Trustees of the Funeral Service Foundation are dedicated individuals who bring a diversity of experience and a sincere commitment to the Foundation’s mission. It is a privilege and honor to serve as the Foundation’s Chair this year as we continue to invest in education, programming and resources that benefit funeral service and the communities and families we serve.”

MARK KRAUSE
2022-23 Foundation Chair
Krause Funeral Homes & Cremation Service
Milwaukee, WI

2023-24 Funeral Service Foundation Board of Trustees
Bottom Row L-R: Tim Schramm, Carmalita March-Harris, NFDA Liaison Chris Robinson, Treasurer David Falconer, Chair Mark Krause, Immediate Past Chair Lisa Baue, Chair-Elect John Heald, Beth Kmiec, Jeff Smith, Will Bischoff
Top Row L-R: Todd Lumbard, NFDA CEO Christine Pepper, Bryant Hightower, Jimmy Lucas, Thomas Pontone, David Hernández, Jr., Jenn Parvin, Matt Outcalt, John Faulk, W. Ashley Cozine
2023-2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MARK KRAUSE*
Chair
Krause Funeral Homes & Cremation Service
Milwaukee, WI
JOHN HEALD*
Chair-Elect
Legacy.com
Chicago, IL
DAVID FALCONER
Treasurer
Regions Bank
Houston, TX
LISA BAUE*
Baue Funeral Homes
Immediate Past Chair
CHRIS ROBINSON*
NFDA Liaison
Robinson Funeral Homes
Easley, SC
WILL BISCHOFF
Homesteaders Life Company
West Des Moines, IA
ASHLEY COZINE*
Cozine Memorial Group
Wichita, KS
JOHN FAULK
Service Corporation
International
Houston, TX
DAVID HERNÁNDEZ*
Jersey Memorial Group
Old Bridge, NJ
BRYANT HIGHTOWER*
Hightower Family Funeral Homes
Carrolton, GA
KATHY KELLEY
ASD
Media, PA
BETH KMIEC
ClearPoint Federal
Bank & Trust
Batesville, IN
JIMMY LUCAS*
Lucas Funeral Homes
Hurst, TX
TODD LUMBARD*
Anthem Partners
Regina, SK
CARMALITA MARCH-HARRIS*
March Family Funeral Homes
Baltimore, MD
MATT OUTCALT
Global Atlantic
Financial Group
Batesville, IN
JENN PARVIN*
Batesville
Batesville, IN
THOMAS PONTONE
Matthews Aurora
Funeral Solutions
Kearny, NJ
TIMOTHY SCHRAMM*
Howe-Peterson Funeral
Home & Cremation Services
Dearborn, MI
JEFF SMITH*
Smith Family
Funeral Homes
North Little Rock, AR
CHRISTINE PEPPER
NFDA CEO
NFDA
Brookfield, WI