Frank Robertson joins NGL as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Madison, Wis. (September 29, 2025) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to announce the addition of Frank Robertson as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Robertson is an experienced financial executive who has led finance teams and successfully driven several large-scale transformational initiatives. He joins NGL with nearly 30 years of experience in insurance financial services.

Robertson will be responsible for overseeing all financial operations, including accounting, financial reporting and strategic planning. He will work directly with Joe Celentano, NGL President & CEO, along with the executive leadership team to drive NGL’s growth in selected markets and focus on long-term organizational success.

“We are excited to welcome Frank to our team,” shared Celentano. “He brings a wealth of experience in strategic financial planning, business transformation and leadership. Frank’s expertise aligns with NGL’s vision for the future. His financial and insurance knowledge will be instrumental in accelerating our growth and operational efficiencies.”

Prior to joining NGL, Robertson served in several financial functions and senior leadership roles at Global Atlantic Financial Group (formerly Goldman Sachs Reinsurance Group). During his tenure at Global Atlantic, Robertson drove the buildout of the controllership function, worked closely with all areas of the firm to drive strategic growth initiatives and was responsible for helping design and build the infrastructure and processes that enabled Global Atlantic to operate successfully as a stand-alone company.

“I’m honored to join a financially strong, century-old company with a legacy of serving its policyholders and partners,” said Robertson. “NGL’s values-driven culture, long-term stability and forward-looking approach to growth makes this an exciting opportunity. I am committed to working alongside a collaborative, talented team that contributes to NGL’s continued success, as well as driving sustainable long-term growth for our partners and policyholders.” 

Robertson earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. He earned a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance from Boston College Carroll School of Management. Robertson is also a certified public accountant in the state of New Jersey.

Robertson currently resides in New Jersey. He is an active member in the community and proudly supports a variety of youth and humanitarian focused organizations. 

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science Names Mark Ivey as New President

Cincinnati, Ohio July 28, 2025 – The Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (CCMS) proudly announces the appointment of Mark Ivey as the new President of the college, effective immediately. Ivey brings a wealth of leadership experience, a deep respect for funeral service education, and a strong vision for the future of the institution.

Mark Ivey succeeds Poul Lemasters, who has served as interim President and will continue to support the transition and strategic initiatives of the college.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark Ivey as our next President,” said Kathleen Shaffer, President of the CCMS Board of Trustees. “His energy, experience, and genuine passion for education and death care will elevate the legacy of CCMS and position us for continued growth and innovation in preparing tomorrow’s funeral service leaders.”

A seasoned professional with over 25 years in higher education leadership and strategic development, Ivey is known for fostering collaboration, advancing student success, and creating sustainable institutional change.

“Stepping in as interim president has been an honor,” shared Poul Lemasters, who led the institution through a period of transition. “Mark’s appointment is exactly what CCMS needs to continue its mission of excellence. His presence brings stability, inspiration, and a forward-thinking mindset that will serve our students and profession well.”

In accepting the role, Mark Ivey expressed gratitude and enthusiasm: “I am deeply honored to lead Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, an institution with such a rich history and impact on funeral service education. I look forward to working alongside the dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners to build on the strong foundation already in place. Together, we will shape a bold and compassionate future for our profession.”

Under Ivey’s leadership, CCMS will continue to expand academic offerings, enhance student services, and strengthen its national reputation as a premier institution in funeral service education.

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science is an institution which endeavors to develop end of life professionals who can function with distinction within their chosen profession and within the community of life. The College strives to provide the best education possible, and focuses on offerings that provide convenience, accessibility and outreach to learners. For more information about Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, visit www.ccms.edu.

Starmark Appoints Dan Cook as Vice President of Business Development

Recognition Reflects Cook’s Leadership and Commitment to the Funeral Profession

RICHMOND, IN, June 19, 2025 – Starmark, the cremation solutions leader, has announced the appointment of Dan Cook as its Vice President of Business Development. Cook joined Starmark in 2023 as a leader from day one. His appointment as Vice President of Business Development can be compared to graduating from “Funeral Care University.” Cook gets the funeral business. 

Cook shared: “I love working with the Starmark team, who shares the common goal of helping families navigate loss and honoring their loved ones through funeral service. What I have found most rewarding is developing strong relationships with funeral professionals and helping them do better.” 

“Cook’s appointment as Vice President of Business Development marks another step forward for Starmark’s organization. His strategic insight, passion for the funeral profession, and commitment to excellence epitomize what makes Starmark special to funeral professionals.” – Justin Davis, President.

Cook holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Psychology (B.B.A.) but credits his most significant learning to hands-on experience. “I’m honored to serve funeral professionals through Starmark. Having a background in sales, accounting, and finance, I see so many ways that Starmark can improve funeral service. What a pleasure it is to build upon existing and develop new Starmark friendships.”

About Starmark: Starmark creates Sensible Solutions® for funeral professionals to help families more easily honor life’s most meaningful moments with grace and respect. It is all about celebrating the lives of loved ones with dignity and care. This belief inspires everything we at Starmark do, allowing funeral service professionals and families to focus on love, legacy, and healing.  For more information, visit: www.starmarkcp.com 

Leigh Klemencic joins NGL as Assistant Vice President, Marketing Communications

Madison, Wis. (February 17, 2025) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to announce the addition of Leigh Klemencic as Assistant Vice President, Marketing Communications. Klemencic will lead the marketing team in the development of strategic external marketing communications initiatives to further enhance NGL’s position as a leader in the Preneed insurance industry.

Klemencic has experience in developing marketing campaigns and collateral, writing editorial content for industry publications, and building strong relationships to further enhance partners’ ability for future growth. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Leigh to our team. With her extensive experience in the Preneed profession, we are confident she will play a key role in advancing our vision to work with strategic clarity, creativity and operational excellence as NGL focuses on being a leader in chosen insurance markets,” said Jeremy Ragsdale, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at NGL. “Drawing on her skills in marketing and communications, with her background in Preneed, she will work to strengthen our marketing services for everyone who collaborates with us.”

Prior to joining NGL, Klemencic held a variety of roles at Physicians Mutual Insurance Company, including Director-Preneed, and Preneed Marketing Manager. During her tenure with the organization, she helped funeral homes find and amplify their strategies for growth, designed and managed tradeshow sponsorships and exhibits, and implemented marketing campaigns.

“NGL is a leader in Preneed insurance and I’m excited to join the team and continue building on the foundation to grow in the marketplace,” said Klemencic. “I thrive on discovering opportunities to innovate through Preneed marketing and making a notable difference for the funeral homes that serve our communities.”

Klemencic earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brooklyn College. She is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

Klemencic is a native of Ashland, Neb. and resides in Omaha, Neb., with her husband and three dogs.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

President Carter’s Funeral Wasn’t the Only Deathcare News Making Headlines Last Week

The week-long celebration of the late Jimmy Carter’s 100-year-long life was certainly a fitting tribute to our country’s longest-living president — and it highlighted many of the meaningful memorial traditions that are still treasured by the deathcare profession. Of course, the solemn and respectful services weren’t without a bit of controversy, namely the use of the “troubled” U.S. Army caisson platoon and the surprisingly cordial gathering of the five living presidents.

Thankfully, the nonstop coverage of tributes to the 39th president overshadowed an unusually high number of deathcare-related headlines — many of them involving important (or at least interesting) legal updates that we didn’t want you to miss.

Illinois chain of custody law goes into effect

Beginning this year, Illinois funeral directors who knowingly provide the wrong cremains to families could face penalties, including jail time. The new Integrity in Death Care Act establishes a thorough system for tracking remains, and not following the process will now be a felony. The law was inspired by the 2022 discovery that a Carlinville funeral home had mixed up the mostly-untagged cremains of nearly 80 individuals. Authorities realized there were few options for criminal charges for this mishandling, although a slew of civil suits were filed.

Utah director’s license revoked … again

A funeral director whose license was reinstated following his release from a Utah prison in March has once again seen that license revoked. Lonnie Nyman was sentenced in 2019 on a wide variety of crimes, from financial misdeeds and witness tampering to charges of sending explicit images to a minor. So perhaps it’s not surprising that Nyman allegedly gave the state’s Funeral Service Board misleading information that led to the board’s issuance of a probationary funeral director’s license in November. Nyman, who called himself “an awesome, awesome funeral director,” acknowledges wrongdoing but disputes many aspects of the original case and the current license revocation proceedings.

Arkansas introduces body parts bill

State legislators in Arkansas learned last week about Lux’s Law, a bill which, if passed, would make it a crime to sell human remains that were authorized for cremation. The bill was inspired by the terrible tragedy of Lux, a stillborn baby whose body was stolen and sold by a funeral home employee. Violating this law could result in a fine of up to $10,000, up to five years in prison, or both. 

Grieving New York families may pay toll

A controversial “congestion toll” went into effect in New York City, and it seems even grieving families will not be exempt. Because funeral homes (obviously) will not transport bodies via public transportation, the owners of hearses and other mortuary vehicles will be subject to the $9 per day fee for operating a vehicle in certain areas of Manhattan — and most plan to pass that fee along to families. The New York Post spoke to several directors who all agreed they’d have to incorporate the fee into their basic service charges. One director even participated in a failed lawsuit last year to block the fee from going into effect.

Georgia director denied bond

Chris Johnson, the Douglas, Georgia funeral director who is accused of 17 counts of abuse of a corpse, will remain in jail for the time being. In late October, authorities attempting to serve eviction papers at Johnson’s funeral home discovered 18 bodies in various states of decomposition. Since his initial arrest, Johnson’s bids for bond have been denied while the Georgia Bureau of Investigation worked to identify each set of remains. Although the last two families were finally notified last week, bond was again denied, because, according to one family member, if Johnson was let out, “somebody’s going to kill him.” In addition to the abuse charges, Johnson faces up to 100 years in prison for fraud, forgery, and theft.

Express Funeral Funding Promotes Andy Buckman to President and Deanna Wilkinson to Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

Jeffersonville, IN – Express Funeral Funding (EFF), the nation’s largest privately held, FASTEST and EASIEST at-need insurance assignment funding company is pleased to announce the promotion of Andy Buckman to president and Deanna Wilkinson to vice president of sales and marketing.

Joining EFF in 2013, Buckman brought a wealth of experience from the finance sector, specializing in healthcare cost containment services for several Fortune 500 companies and holds a Master of Business Administration from the Rubel School of Business at Bellarmine University. He brings a comprehensive understanding of EFF to this new role, having gained valuable experience across all departments during his 11-year tenure.

“Andy has been pivotal in the growth and success of EFF,” said Kevin Tkacz, CEO and president of The Messenger Company. “With a proven track record of leadership and a deep understanding of the company’s vision, he is well-positioned to lead the organization into its next phase of growth.”  

As president, Buckman will work closely with the executive team to ensure the continued success of EFF and will drive forward initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction, product development and market expansion.

“I am honored to take on this new role and lead such an exceptional team,” said Andy Buckman, president of EFF. “Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible and deliver outstanding value to our clients and stakeholders. I am deeply committed to furthering our mission and driving continued success for the company.”

With this transition, Deanna Wilkinson will assume Buckman’s previous role as vice president of sales and marketing.

Wilkinson brings a decade of extensive experience and understanding of the field to this role, having started her funeral service career in 2015 with one of the nation’s largest casket suppliers. Since her start at EFF in 2017, Wilkinson has been instrumental in developing and executing strategic sales and marketing initiatives designed to drive growth and enhance brand visibility among funeral and cemetery professionals nationwide.

“With the support of our shareholders, I am confident under these leadership changes, EFF will continue to thrive and maintain its position as the leader in insurance assignment funding,” said Kevin Tkacz.

Express Funeral Funding, a Messenger Family Company, has been providing funeral homes and cemeteries nationwide the ultimate funding experience since 2002. EFF eliminates the challenges of working with insurance companies by limiting administration, providing immediate payment, and advancing complete policy funds. For more information on Express Funeral Funding, please visit www.expressfuneralfunding.com, email contact@expff.com or call 812.949.9011. 

Catching Up With CANA’s Newly-Elected Board President Ryan Wiseman

Every board of directors is tasked with providing advice and oversight to an organization to ensure it operates as effectively as possible. Strategic planning, fundraising, and policy making are just a few of the duties entrusted to a board’s officers and members. But according to Ryan Wiseman, the newly-elected president of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) board of directors, his team has an additional, yet equally important, assignment: Keeping CANA Executive Director Barbara Kemmis busy and challenged. 

“That’s one thing about Barbara,” Wiseman says, with a tone of admiration in his voice, “she wants feedback from us. She wants to be challenged, and she always wants to keep busy and find more ways to keep CANA on the forefront. And she’s doing a great job.”

Although CANA members only recently elected Wiseman to the office of board president, he’s quite familiar with the body’s multi-faceted responsibilities, as he’s served as a board member for more than six years. 

“I’ve been very educated and have learned a lot being on the board for the past six years,” Wiseman says. “Our board is very talented, and we’re very lucky to have some really smart people from all across the United States. Everyone brings a wealth of very diverse knowledge on not just cremation, but what’s going on in their state, so it’s very interesting.”

As co-owner of both Porter Funeral Homes in Kansas City and Lenexa, Kansas, and the Cremation Society of Kansas and Missouri, brings his own unique perspective as second-generation director beginning his third decade in deathcare. His own market closely aligns with the 2023 average U.S. cremation rate of just over 60% that was shared by CANA earlier this year along with other statistics that show that cremation is still growing, but just at a slower rate.

“I know that here in the Midwest we’re seeing cremation rates continue to go up,” he says. “I think that it’s still going to keep going, but just not increasing at the rate that it has been. I think we are right where we want to be, and we’re helping people navigate cremation and educating people. So I think we’re in a good spot.”

Even though more people are learning about cremation, more cremation-related options are being made available, like solidified remains, cremation diamonds, and even cremains-filled fireworks — and CANA strives to stay on top of them all.

“So many things continue to come out,” Wiseman adds. “You think you’ve seen everything and then you come to a CANA convention and there’s a new exhibitor, and you’re saying, ‘Wow, I never thought I would see something like that, it’s very interesting.’”

One rapidly-growing option that CANA’s board and staff are closely following is alkaline hydrolysis, which some states’ lawmakers have tried to fit in under the “cremation” label, even sometimes dubbing the process “water cremation.”

 “CANA has worked on our actual statement of what we believe cremation is and what we believe cremation is not,” Wiseman says,. However, states are legalizing alkaline hydrolysis as cremation, and we follow the law. 

The CANA definition of cremation includes alkaline hydrolysis and has done so for a decade. It is NOR that we have a position statement opposing calling it cremation and providers agree. 

Wiseman is well aware of the various governmental challenges when it comes to deathcare laws and regulations, and he’s proud of the work Kemmis and her team have done in cooperation with various entities. 

“Government agencies and state agencies look to us to help guide them,” Wiseman says “And I love that.”

Over his term as board president, Wiseman hopes even more people learn about CANA and its important role in cremation education and in representing the cremation community. One of his goals for the coming year is to continue building CANA’s membership by promoting the organization and sharing the many perks of involvement, especially with the online Funeral Professionals Peer Support Group seminars and with in-person events like the CANA symposiums and annual convention.

“I think all organizations are seeing numbers drop as far as attendees in-person with the staffing shortages in our industry,” Wiseman says. “So we’re going to keep the word out there about our conventions and symposia and try to get people to come out to events to get educated and hopefully connect with other like-minded people in our industry.”