Nunnaley, Bridgers Named 2024 Ambassadors of the Year

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL — August 5, 2024 — The Selected Educational Trust is pleased to announce the 2024 Ambassador of the Year Award recipients:

Robert Nunnaley, Owner/Director, Fry and Prickett Funeral Home, Carthage, NC, 2024 Ambassador of the Year – Funeral Service Professional

Tim Bridgers, SVP – Head of Funeral Home and Property Management Lending, Live Oak Bank, Wilmington, NC, 2024 Ambassador of the Year – Industry Partner Leader

Established in 2021, the Ambassador of the Year Awards Program honors individuals for their outstanding contributions to the mission and vision of the Selected Educational Trust, their personal and significant contributions to the independent funeral service profession, and their commitment to provide lifelong learning opportunities for all who work within and for this time-honored profession. Each year, two individuals, a Funeral Service Professional and an Industry Partner Leader, are selected by the Board of Trustees to receive this distinguished award.

The Awards Ceremony will take place during the Selected Educational Trust Reception, to be held on Wednesday, September 25 at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Lake Buena Vista, FL, in conjunction with the Selected Independent Funeral Homes Annual Meeting. This reception is open to all donors and supporters of the Trust with invitation. Donors that show their support by making a gift to the Trust in honor of the awardees will be recognized during the event as Ambassador Envoys.

“This year’s recipients exemplify not just a commitment to the independent funeral service profession, but also innovation and giving back with an eye toward the future,” stated Stefanie Favia, the Trust’s Executive Director. “It is an honor to recognize the accomplishments and efforts of Robert and Tim, and their personal commitment to paving the way for the next generation.”

The Ambassador of the Year Awards program is sponsored by Physicians Mutual. “Robert Nunnaley and Tim Bridgers are more than deserving recipients of this year’s awards,” said Leigh Klemencic, Director of Preneed. “Physicians Mutual is delighted to recognize their robust contributions to funeral service, myriad as they are. We look forward to celebrating Robert and Tim at the Selected Independent Funeral Homes Annual Meeting in September.”

For more information about the Selected Educational Trust or attending this event, visit www.selectedtrust.org or contact Stefanie Favia at stefanie@selectedtrust.org. Make an Ambassador Envoy gift to the Trust in honor of the recipients at www.selectedtrust.org/ambassador-of-the-year-awards-program.

About the Selected Educational Trust

The mission of the Selected Educational Trust (www.selectedtrust.org) is to provide the best educational opportunities for the advancement and support of all who work within the independent funeral service profession. To fulfill this mission, the Trust provides programs which offer scholarships to mortuary science students and funeral service professionals, online education through its Institute for Exceptional Funeral Service powered by National Guardian Life Insurance Company (www.funeral-institute.org) and networking and employment opportunities through its Workforce Development Centers.