HOUSTON, TEXAS — Jay Dodds and Brad Green have announced the formation of The Signature Group. The Signature Group is a privately held consolidation company with the same focus on operations and serving families as that of the most successful independent operators. This pairing is new in name only, in that Mr. Dodds and Mr. Green have worked closely together as executives at a publicly traded death care company for the past five years. Combined, they have over 35 years of experience in both private and corporate funeral and cemetery services.
Mr. Green stated “The Signature Group will acquire and operate premier funeral homes and cemeteries in targeted suburban markets, as well as select businesses in larger metropolitan areas. Through the acquired businesses, The Signature Group will offer a complete range of funeral and cremation merchandise and services, along with cemetery property, merchandise and services, both at the time of need and on a preneed basis.”
“I have spent most of my career working for public companies that, by their very nature, are intensely focused on quarterly results and growth. While I enjoyed my time in the public sector, I look forward to working with our funeral home and cemetery owners to implement a forward looking philosophy and related ideas in a private company environment with a long term focus on serving families.” said Mr. Dodds.
The formation of The Signature Group provides independent owners the opportunity to join a company founded and operated by two individuals with proven track records whose operational strategy is to build a long-lasting organization that is neither public, nor at risk of being acquired by a public company. This will be a highly attractive succession planning option for owners who want their local family business to remain operationally strong in the local communities for many years to come.
Like we have not heard this story before. I wish them well, but every small consolidator has said the same thing in the past.
I worked with Jay Dodds for a while and he was a very fair and great boss. I wish He and Brad luck and I know they will do great things for our industry and provide a solid succession plan for independent owners that do not want to go the public route. Congrats Jay and Brad.
I also worked with Jay and Brad and have a great deal of respect for both of them as professionals in our industry and as men of integrity. I am very pleased to hear of this venture and wish them the very best. Dianne De Armond