BROADVIEW, IL, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 – Pierce Mortuary Colleges is pleased to announce the addition of Mike Hays as President of Mid-America College of Funeral Service, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Hays possesses a broad range of knowledge of funeral, cremation and cemetery processes, with over twenty years of funeral industry experience. His experience includes funeral director, preneed sales, consolidator operations and trainer. He has worked for small and large funeral homes and cemeteries as a director and counselor, and has managed operational and high level sales of more than 600 funeral homes and 65 cemeteries across 37 states. Hays also co-founded a firm that provides consulting, training and marketing services to funeral homes and cemeteries across the country.
Hays is passionate about leadership development and takes pride in his work as a teacher and coach. He has trained hundreds of at-need and preneed managers and arrangers and taught for thirteen years as a professor at the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) University. A certified CEO Focus™ consultant, Hays has spent the bulk of his career in funeral service focused on the successful integration of at-need operations and preneed sales systems at the location level, a process he calls “Building an Effective Service-Sales Culture.”
“It is critical for funeral home owners and operators to market their businesses more effectively in order to increase their market share and remain vital, relevant and profitable for the future,” states Hays. “This requires a focus on ‘systems thinking’ and more effective use of human resources. I hope to instill this in funeral professionals who study at Mid-America College.”
Hays’ educational development includes the United States Air Force Academy, Berea College, the University of Kentucky College of Law and Asbury Theological Seminary. He holds Bachelor of Arts Degrees in English and Education and a Master of Arts Degree in Divinity.
“We are very excited to have Mike Hays take the helm at Mid-America College of Funeral Service,” says Dr. Jill Karn, Chief Operating Officer of Pierce Mortuary Colleges. “His successful track record as a senior-level executive and professional development manager positions him well to help Mid-America College prepare future funeral professionals for successful careers.”
For more information on Mid-America College of Funeral Service, visit www.mid-america.edu.
