LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., April 17, 2026 — Selected Independent Funeral Homes (Selected), the world’s leading association of forward-thinking funeral professionals, announces the election of new Board Officers and welcomes new members to its Board of Directors. J. Sheridan Lee, owner of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Garner, North Carolina, will serve as President, and David “Dave” Moore, owner of Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapels in Mason City, Iowa, will serve as Board Chair.
New Officers
Dave Moore serves as President of Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapels, which operates in five locations serving North Iowa. Moore’s firm has been a Selected member for approximately 10 years. “I want to help lead Selected with enough clarity and courage that when our term is over, no one will say we merely managed history, they will say we were equal to it,” Moore shares.
J. Sheridan Lee serves as Owner and Vice President of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home. Lee’s firm has been part of Selected since 1992 and is a trusted provider in the Garner, North Carolina community. “I look forward to helping guide Selected through a successful year and building on the strong foundation established by the many outstanding leaders who have come before me,” Lee says.
New Directors
Additionally, the Selected Board Director Appointment Committee has chosen Stephen R. Christianson, CFSP, owner and president of Hill and Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Rachel Gunderson, licensed funeral director at Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care in Madison, Wisconsin, as incoming Board Directors.
Stephen R. Christianson, CFSP, leads Hill and Wood Funeral Home and brings extensive experience in serving families and advancing professional standards within funeral service. “I hope during my time on the Board to better understand the needs and challenges facing our membership and to work collaboratively to leverage our shared experience in ways that benefit family-owned funeral homes wherever possible,” Christianson shares.
Rachel Gunderson serves as a licensed funeral director at Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care and is actively engaged in supporting families and strengthening the future of independent funeral service. Gunderson reflects on what she hopes to accomplish as a Selected Board Director. “I would like to develop more ways for members to stay involved in everything Selected has to offer. I want to expand membership beyond just owners and managers, tapping into the incredible workforce that make up independent funeral service.”
Lee, Moore, Christianson, and Gunderson will begin their leadership terms at the 2026 Selected Annual Meeting, September 2–5, in Louisville, Kentucky.
“We are excited to welcome these outstanding professionals into Selected’s leadership,” remarks Rob Paterkiewicz, Executive Director & CEO. “Their collective expertise and commitment to excellence position Selected for continued growth and impact. We look forward to the perspectives they will bring as we shape the future of independent funeral service together.”
The current Selected Board of Directors includes President Barbara Risher Welch, Montebello, California; Board Chair Christopher Waite, Medina, Ohio; J. Sheridan Lee, Garner, North Carolina; David Moore, Mason City, Iowa; Daniel Kochapski, Windsor, Connecticut; Brad Pingel, Pampa, Texas; Todd Bozell, Lapel, Indiana; and Megan Comer, Escondido, California.
About Selected Independent Funeral Homes
Selected Independent Funeral Homes provides innovative resources, solutions, and ongoing support to a global network of independently-owned death care providers. Committed to excellence, our members adhere to rigorous standards and best practices, ensuring reliable, high-quality service and funeral-related information for the public. For more information about Selected’s programs, communities, and membership, or to locate a member, visit www.selectedfuneralhomes.org or call 800-323-4219.
