Selected Announces New Officers; Welcomes New Directors  

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. April 7, 2025 — Selected Independent Funeral Homes (Selected), the  world’s leading association of forward-thinking funeral professionals with a shared vision of  advancing independent funeral service, announces the election of new Board Officers. Barbara  Risher-Welch, owner of Risher Mortuary & Cremation Service in Montebello, California, will  serve as President and Christopher Waite, owner of Waite Funeral Homes in Medina, Ohio,  will serve as Board Chair. 

New Officers 

Risher Mortuary & Cremation Service has been an active member since joining Selected in  2016. Barbara Risher-Welch says, “Joining Selected has been the best move our family owned business has ever made. Since the beginning, I have been even more impressed with  the members and staff who make up this association. Working together with Christopher and  our other dedicated and talented Board members, it is our strong commitment to lead Selected  into the future, carrying on the legacy, distinction, and quality we’ve been known for since  1917.” 

Christopher Waite’s firm, Waite Funeral Homes, was invited into Selected membership in  2013. “I am truly honored to step into the role of Board Chair for Selected Independent Funeral  Homes,” Waite shares. “Reflecting on my time as a member, I am deeply grateful for the  personal and professional growth I have experienced because of my involvement in Selected. I  look forward to collaborating with Barbara, our exceptional Board members, and Selected’s  talented staff as we work together to lead our association into a bright and promising future.” 

New Directors 

Additionally, the Selected Board Director Appointment Committee has chosen Todd Bozell, president and owner of Bozell Funeral Homes in Lapel, Indiana, and Megan Comer, president  and owner of Alhiser-Comer Mortuary in Escondido, California, as incoming Board Directors.  

With a passion for keeping independent firms independent, Todd Bozell reflects “I could not be  more honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Selected. I am excited to work with the  entire team at Selected, and I will do my best to represent the membership and promote  Selected to the next generation of independent funeral homes.” 

Megan Comer is involved in several funeral service organizations and causes on a national and state level. “I am deeply honored and humbled to serve as a Board Director for Selected,  an organization that holds a special place in my heart,” she shares. “My late father was a  proud member of this Board, and it is both a privilege and a personal responsibility to carry on  his legacy of service, compassion, and leadership.”  

Risher Welch, Waite, Bozell and Comer will begin their leadership terms at the 2025 Selected  Annual Meeting, September 28 – October 1, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

“We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding professionals into Selected’s leadership,” remarks Rob Paterkiewicz, Selected’s Executive Director & CEO. “Their collective experience,  dedication, and leadership will help guide our organization with strength and sensibility as we  continue to support our members and advance the profession. We look forward to their valuable insights and contributions in shaping the future of Selected and independent funeral  service” 

The current Selected Board of Directors includes President Tom Antram, Albuquerque, New  Mexico; Board Chair John Keohane, Quincy, Massachusetts; Barbara Risher-Welch,  Montebello, California; Christopher Waite, Medina, Ohio; J. Sheridan Lee, Garner, North  Carolina; David Moore, Mason City, Iowa; Brad Pingel, Pampa, Texas; and Daniel Kochapski,  Windsor, Connecticut. 

About Selected Independent Funeral Homes  

Selected Independent Funeral Homes provides innovative resources, solutions, and ongoing support to a global network of independently-owned death care providers. Committed to  excellence, our members adhere to rigorous standards and best practices, ensuring reliable,  high-quality service and funeral-related information for the public. For more information about  Selected’s programs, communities, and membership, or to locate a member, visit  www.selectedfuneralhomes.org or call 800-323-4219. 

Selected Independent Funeral Homes Announces 2024–2025 Officers

New Leaders to Be Installed at 2024 Annual Meeting in Disney

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. — March 28, 2024 — Selected Independent Funeral Homes, the world’s premier association of independently owned funeral homes, has announced the election of new Board Officers. Tom Antram of French Funerals & Cremations in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will serve as President. John Keohane of Keohane Funeral Homes in Quincy, Massachusetts, will serve as Board Chair. Tom and John will help lead the association through its three-year strategic plan.

“I believe that to know where you are going, you need to understand your past and where we’ve been,” says Tom. “Our strategic planning has done just that – taken a view into our past and the legacy of Selected/NSM, while also looking forward to a new dawning of our profession and Selected’s role within it. I’m excited and encouraged that we have chosen to take this opportunity to improve services and hold accountable to our standards.”

“It’s paramount to stay focused on all levels of our organization to lead it into the future,” says John. “Our businesses are changing and Selected is evolving at the same time.”

Even as Selected adapts to changes in the profession, Tom and John share optimism about Selected’s ongoing commitment to connecting members with like-minded professionals. “Where else can you go to tap into such a talented pool of young professionals, women in funeral service, first-generation owners and legacy funeral providers?” says John. “The quality of members is unmatched.”

Selected’s Board of Directors elected the new Officers at its quarterly March Board Meeting. The officers will be officially installed during the Annual Meeting, September 25–28, at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

The entire Board of Directors includes President Eric Trimble, Moline, Illinois, Group 4; Board Chair John Kepner, Huntersville, North Carolina, Group 3; President-elect Tom Antram, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Group 5; Board Chair-elect John Keohane, Quincy, Massachusetts, Group 1; Barbara Risher Welch, Montebello, California, Group 6; Christopher Waite, Medina, Ohio, Group 2; Sheridan Lee, Garner, North Carolina; and Dave Moore, Mason City, Iowa, Group 4.

For more information on Selected, its programs, becoming a member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes or to locate a member, visit selectedfuneralhomes.org or call 800-323-4219.

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About Selected Independent Funeral Homes: Selected Independent Funeral Homes  delivers innovative and pertinent resources, solutions and ongoing support necessary for enduring excellence to its international network of independently owned death care providers who aspire to be the very best in their profession. Members of Selected operate according to specific standards and best practices to provide the public with reliable, high-quality service and funeral-related information.