New leadership to take organization into 2013 and beyond
DEERFIELD, Ill. — April 11, 2012 — The Board of Directors of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, the world’s largest and oldest association of independently owned funeral homes, has announced the election of new officers and the appointment of new board members to help lead the association. Selected’s Board Nominating Committee appointed the new Directors, while the officer election was held during a recent Board meeting at The Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston, site of Selected’s upcoming 94th Annual Meeting, Sept. 19-22.
Robinson and Tetrick Elected as President and Secretary-Treasurer, Respectively, for 2013
Adam Robinson is President of Ralph Robinson & Son, Inc. in Pine Bluff, Ark., and of his other family-owned company, Co-Operative Life Insurance Company. During his career, Robinson has served as President of the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association and the Arkansas State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. He also has served as a Selected Group Meeting Chairman and as a presenter and Nominating Committee Chair at Selected Annual Meetings.
“It is very much an honor to be named Selected’s next President,” said Robinson. “We are excited about building upon the success we have achieved both fiscally and in terms of educational programming. I’ve never been to a Selected meeting where I didn’t learn something new and wasn’t able to solve an issue I was facing, either directly through program content or by talking with fellow members.”
Richard Tetrick is President of Heritage Family Funeral Service, Inc. in Elizabethton, Tenn. He has served on the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association Board, as President of the Northeast Tennessee Funeral Directors Association, and as Chairman of the Tennessee State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers.
“I’m very much looking forward to serving with Adam and the Board this coming year,” said Tetrick. “Membership in Selected requires participation, and I’m particularly delighted with the number of new members we have in the pipeline, adding growth to our organization.”
Busch and Speaks Named to Selected Board of Directors
James H. Busch will be the new Group 2 representative. He is President of Busch Funeral and Crematory Services, Cleveland, Ohio, where he has been a full-time staff member since 1986. In addition to his leadership work with numerous community and service organizations, Busch has been involved in Selected in numerous capacities, from speaking to committee membership. Busch is the third generation to serve on the Selected Board.
“It is a real honor to be able to serve on the Board of Directors, to help shape and lead Selected into the next generation,” Busch said. “I’m also honored to continue the tradition of my father and grandfather in service to the association. Selected always has been important to our firm, helping us gain tremendous insight and standing as a leader in our marketplace.”
Brad Speaks will represent Group 4 on the Selected Board. He is President and CEO of Speaks Family Legacy Chapels, Independence, Mo. Speaks has been involved in many community and service organizations and currently is serving on the Leadership Council for Selected’s upcoming educational offering, the Leadership Academy. His father, R. Robert Speaks, served on Selected’s Board from 2003-2006.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve on the Board,” said Speaks. “Membership in Selected has opened so many doors for my family and me, both professionally and personally, and I am eager for this chance to give back. Membership in Selected is so important because of the opportunity to share with like-minded colleagues from around the world, with invaluable camaraderie and exchange of ideas between fellow members at meetings and programs.”
Robinson and Tetrick will be installed as officers, and Busch and Speaks will officially join the other members of theSelected Board during an installation ceremony on September 24 at the 94th Annual Meeting at the Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston. The Board also will include W. Bruce Tannahill, Ontario, Canada, Group 1; Lance C. Larkin, Salt Lake City, Utah, Group 6; and current President Thomas M. Belford, Omaha, Neb., Group 4, as Ex Officio.
For more information on Selected’s programs, becoming a member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes or to locate a member, visit Selected’s website at http://www.selectedfuneralhomes.org or call 1-800-323-4219.
