Homesteaders Heroes Program Honors Outstanding Employees

Funeral Industry News Funeral Industry Press Releases December 18, 2016
CDFuneralNews

We believe that every funeral director should have the tools to succeed. With the help of our field-leading partners, we publish daily funeral industry news and provide free tools to help our readers advance their careers and grow their businesses. Our editorial focus on the future, covering impact-conscious funeral care, trends, tech, marketing, and exploring how today's funeral news affects your future.


Homesteaders Heroes Program Honors Outstanding Employees

West Des Moines, Iowa — Homesteaders Life Company, a national leader in pre-need funeral funding, has announced the recipients of its inaugural peer-nominated Homesteaders Heroes awards. The new award program recognizes employees who demonstrate Homesteaders’ values and make a significant impact on the success of the company and its customers.

Homesteaders Heroes award winners were chosen based on nominations from their colleagues. Homesteaders EVP-HR & Administration Judy Ralston-Hansen noted that this selection process makes the recognition particularly meaningful.

“We received a tremendous response for Homesteaders Heroes nominations, both in the quantity of submissions and in the powerful testimonials that employees provided about their coworkers,” Ralston-Hansen said. “We’re proud to recognize these exceptional employees who contribute to our company culture and promote our values every day.”

Homesteaders Heroes award recipients were named in four categories:

  • Rising Star Award: Danielle Burmeister, Marketing Communications Specialist
    This award recognizes an employee who demonstrates eagerness to learn, commitment to Homesteaders and engagement with the company and peers early in his or her career.
  • Innovation Award: Travis Nelsen, Senior Research Application Developer
    This award recognizes an employee for the successful implementation of a new or updated product, service or program that results in a measurable improvement in the company’s performance, processes or brand strength.
  • Outstanding Teamwork Award: Jason Richards, Business Analyst
    This award recognizes an outstanding member of a project team who has demonstrated enthusiasm, cooperation, problem-solving skills, commitment to success and a consistently positive attitude.
  • Enduring Impact Award: Karen King, Regional Director
    This award recognizes an employee for a significant, long-term contribution or body of accomplishments to Homesteaders that make a lasting impact on the company’s success.

The company also presented a special Enduring Impact Award to the family of Cheryl Phillips, a longtime Homesteaders Customer Service Representative, who passed away earlier this year.

Celebrating its 110th year of business in 2016, Homesteaders Life Company is a national leader providing life insurance products and services to promote and support the funding of advance funeral planning and end-of-life expenses.