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Board of Directors and Leadership

2025-2026 Board of Directors

Daniel J. Ford, CFSP, CCSP: President

Daniel J. Ford, CFSP, CCSP: President

Dan Ford is the 2025-2026 president of the National Funeral Directors Association on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Dan Ford is the 2025-2026 president of the National Funeral Directors Association on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Chris Christian, CFSP, CCO: President-elect

Chris Christian, CFSP, CCO: President-elect

Chris Christian is the 2025-2026 president-elect of the National Funeral Directors Association on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Chris Christian is the 2025-2026 president-elect of the National Funeral Directors Association on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Bobby Steven Spann CFSP, COO: Treasurer

Bobby Steven Spann CFSP, COO: Treasurer

Steve Spann, CFSP, CCO, is the 2025-2026 Treasurer on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Steve Spann, CFSP, CCO, is the 2025-2026 Treasurer on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Christopher P. Robinson, CFSP, CCO: Immediate Past President

Christopher P. Robinson, CFSP, CCO: Immediate Past President

Christopher P. Robinson, CFSP, CCO, was the 2024-2025 president of the National Funeral Directors Association on the NFDA Board of Directors.

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Christopher P. Robinson, CFSP, CCO, was the 2024-2025 president of the National Funeral Directors Association on the NFDA Board of Directors.

Business

Ellen Wynn McBrayer, CFSP, CPC, CCO: Secretary

Ellen Wynn McBrayer, CFSP, CPC, CCO: Secretary

Ellen Wynn McBrayer is the 2025-2026 Secretary on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Ellen Wynn McBrayer is the 2025-2026 Secretary on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Carlton Maye, Jr., MBA, CFSP, CCO 2024-2026 At-large Representative

Carlton Maye, Jr., MBA, CFSP, CCO 2024-2026 At-large Representative

Carlton Maye is a 2024-2026 at-large representative on the NFDA Board of Directors. 
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Carlton Maye is a 2024-2026 at-large representative on the NFDA Board of Directors. 
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Ladd Pulliam, CFSP, CCO, 2024-26 At-large Representative

Ladd Pulliam, CFSP, CCO, 2024-26 At-large Representative

Ladd Pulliam is a 2024-2026 at-large representative on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Ladd Pulliam is a 2024-2026 at-large representative on the NFDA Board of Directors.
Business

Carlos Black: 2025-27 At-large Representative

Carlos Black: 2025-27 At-large Representative

Carlos D. Black is a 2025-2027 at-large representative on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Carlos D. Black is a 2025-2027 at-large representative on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Christopher Costello, CFSP: 2025-27 At-large Representative

Christopher Costello, CFSP: 2025-27 At-large Representative

Christopher Costello is a 2025-2027 at-large representative on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Christopher Costello is a 2025-2027 at-large representative on the NFDA Board of Directors.
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Christine Pepper, MBA, CAE: NFDA Chief Executive Officer and an Ex-Officio member of the Board of Directors

Christine Pepper, MBA, CAE: NFDA Chief Executive Officer and an Ex-Officio member of the Board of Directors

Christine Pepper has been CEO of NFDA since 2002. She is also a Board of Directors member ex-officio.
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Full biography
Christine Pepper has been CEO of NFDA since 2002. She is also a Board of Directors member ex-officio.
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Full biography

NFDA Past Presidents

2024-2025 Christopher P. Robinson C FSP, CCO Easley, SC
2023-2024 Douglas R. “Dutch” Nie, II CFSP, CCO, CMFP Ann Arbor, MI
2022-2023 John O. “Jack” Mitchell, IV CFSP, CCSP Baltimore, MD
2021-2022 Randall P. “Randy” Anderson CFSP CCO Alexander City, AL
2019-2021 R. Bryant Hightower CFSP Carrollton, GA
2018-2019 Chuck Bowman CMSP, CFSP, CCO Liberal, KS
2017-2018 Kenneth A. Cahall CFSP, CCO Georgetown, OH
2016-2017 W. Ashley Cozine MBA, CFSP, CPC, CCO Wichita, KS
2015-2016 Robert T. “Bob” Arrington CCO Jackson, TN
2014-2015 Robert C. Moore IV CFSP, CCO Wayne, NJ
2013-2014 Robert L. “Robby” Bates CFSP, CCO DeKalb, TX
2012-2013 Robert T. “Bob” Rosson, Jr. CFSP, CPC, CCO Oxford, MS
2011-2012 Randall L. Earl CFSP, CCO Decatur, IL
2010-2011 Patrick E. Lynch CCO Clawson, MI
2009-2010 William C. Wappner CFSP Mansfield, OH
2008-2009 *John D. Reed Sr. CFSP, CPC Webster Springs, WV
2007-2008 *Michael R. St. Pierre CFSP Indianapolis, IN
2006-2007 *John J. Hogan Jr. CFSP Flushing, NY
2005-2006 *Robert J. Biggins CFSP, CPC Rockland, MA
2004-2005 R. Doggett Whitaker Jr. CFSP, CPC Newberry, SC
2003-2004 Mark D. Musgrove CFSP Eugene, OR
2002-2003 Dwayne R. Spence CFSP Canal Winchester, OH
2001-2002 Robert F. Vandenbergh CFSP Clinton Township, MI
2000-2001 John C. Carmon CFSP Windsor, CT
1999-2000 William F. Aaron* CFSP Sun City, AZ
1998-1999 David R. Pearson
CFSP
Galesburg, IL
1997-1998 L. Ruple Harley Jr.
CFSP
Greenwood, SC
1996-1997 *Maurice E. Newnam III CFSP Easton, MD
1995-1996 *Bruce A. Overton CFSP Traer, IA
1994-1995 Sumner Brashears CFSP Huntsville, AR
1993-1994 Joe Merritt CFSP Wenatchee, WA
1992-1993 David E. Dillon Jr. CFSP Joplin, MO
1991-1992 *Robert J. Smith Sr. CFSP Chicago, IL
1990-1991 *Robert L. Shank Sr. CFSP Perrysburg, OH
1989-1990 *Richard A. Braun CFSP Adrian, MI
1988-1989 *William V. Hocker CFSP Grants, NM
1987-1988 *Glenn G. McMillen CFSP Lancaster, PA
1986-1987 *Roy T. Pfeffer CFSP Manitowoc, WI
1985-1986 *John B. Hutchins CFSP Kendallville, IN
1984-1985 *H. Pat Mayes Norman, OK
1983-1984 *Morris A. Nilsen CFSP Richfield, MN
1982-1983 *William P. Rutherford CFSP Columbus, OH
1981-1982 *Earle D. Biggerstaff Caney, KS
1980-1981 *Richard Myers CFSP Ogden, UT
1979-1980 *Sumner James Waring Jr. CFSP Fall River, MA
1978-1979 *Cecil L. Goettsch Monticello, IA
1977-1978 Royal Keith CFSP Yakima, WA
1976-1977 *Myron L. Van Horn Lakeview, OH
1975-1976 *R. Jay Kraeer Pompano Beach, FL
1974-1975 *Edward J. Fitzgerald CFSP Elephant Butte, NM
1973-1974 *Frank R. Galante Union, NJ
1972-1973 Raoul L. Pinette CFSP Lewiston, ME
1971-1972 *Amos N. Dunn Sulphur, OK
1970-1971 *Frederick R. Sears N. Syracuse, NY
1969-1970 *Joseph L. McCracken Pana, IL
1968-1969 *John L. Werness Minneapolis, MN

* Deceased

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