Brookfield, Wis. – Carlos D. Black and Christopher Costello have been elected to serve as at-large representatives on the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Board of Directors. They will begin their two-year terms of service immediately following the 2025 NFDA International Convention & Expo, taking place October 26 though 29 in Chicago, Illinois.
On August 5, during the NFDA Leadership Conference in Napa, California, state association representatives elected the new at-large representatives. State association representatives are the voting representatives from each state who cast a ballot on behalf of their state for the at-large representatives on the NFDA Board of Directors.
Carlos D. Black brings more than 30 years of experience in funeral service, having advanced from funeral attendant to general manager. He currently serves as General Manager of Small’s Mortuary Inc., which has multiple locations in Mobile, Alabama. A licensed funeral director in both Alabama and Texas, Black is known for his operations management skills, commitment to professional development and passion for community engagement. In addition to his funeral service credentials, Black is an ordained minister serving at Beth Eden Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, a role that complements his compassionate leadership style and dedication to ethical service. Throughout his career, he has championed excellence in operations, mentorship of emerging professionals and advocacy on behalf of the profession.
“If elected to the Board of Directors,” Black stated in his campaign biography, “I will bring leadership and operational expertise, a commitment to mentoring the next generation of funeral professionals, and a strong voice for advancing policies and practices that protect and elevate our profession.”
Christopher Costello is a licensed funeral director with Mothe Funeral Homes in New Orleans, Louisiana. A fourth-career funeral director, Costello’s professional journey has included roles as a chemist, educator, business leader and consultant. This diverse background gives him a distinctive perspective on innovation, problem-solving and public service in funeral care. Costello’s commitment to service is evident in both his professional and volunteer work. Costello was a member of the 2024-25 class of the NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program and is currently serving on the NFDA Convention Education Task Force. Over the years, he has held positions ranging from volunteer to board officer across a variety of community and professional organizations. With 30 years in New Orleans, he is deeply connected to his local community and the families he serves.
“My experience outside of funeral service helps me bring fresh thinking to the challenges our industry faces,” said Costello. “I’m energized to offer insight from other sectors and help identify solutions that will strengthen NFDA and advance funeral service nationwide.” More information about Black and Costello can be found on the NFDA website, NFDA.org/Elections.
NFDA Board Leadership
As announced in June, the following individuals were elected by NFDA members to serve as officers on the 2025-26 Board of Directors:
- President-elect: Chris E. Christian, CFSP, CCO, Christian-Sells Funeral Home, Rogersville, Tennessee
- Treasurer: Steven Spann, CFSP, CCO, Spann Funeral Home, Dickson, Tennessee
- Secretary: Ellen Wynn McBrayer, CFSP, CPC, CCO, CCSP, Jones-Wynn Funeral Home & Crematory, Villa Rica, Georgia
Following his term as 2024-25 President-elect, Daniel J. Ford, CFSP, CCSP, of Alderson-Ford Funeral Home in Cheshire, Connecticut, will lead NFDA as the 2025-26 President. Current NFDA President Christopher P. Robinson, CFSP, CCO, Robinson Family Funeral Homes, Easley, South Carolina, will continue on the Board with a one-year term as the 2025-26 Immediate Past President. Also continuing their service on the NFDA Board are 2024–26 At-large Representatives Carlton Maye Jr., MBA, CFSP, CCO, of Statesboro, Georgia; and Ladd Pulliam, CFSP, CCO, of Richton, Mississippi.
NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving nearly 20,000 individual members who represent nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and more than 40 countries around the world. NFDA is the trusted leader, beacon for ethics and the strongest advocate for the profession. NFDA is the association of choice because it offers funeral professionals comprehensive educational resources, tools to manage successful businesses, guidance to become pillars in their communities and the expertise to foster future generations of funeral professionals. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.nfda.org.
