Greetings members. Thank you all for the opportunity to serve as your association president. It has been a rewarding experience and humbling at the same time. I have had some great experiences and met some great people, and I feel we did well during my time as president.

I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would pursue this career. My path in this business started when my father became ill and needed in-home care. I put on hold my landscaping career and took care of him from 1999 to 2000. When he had his heart attack in June of 2000, he was put on hospice. I brought him home, and my siblings and I were there
when he passed. Not knowing anything about the profession, we called a local mortuary to come and receive him into their care. The next day we went to the home to make the cremation arrangements. We wanted to see him one more time and asked to do so. I believe this is where it started for me. We made the arrangements and then were escorted into
their chapel, where my father was. They had him still on the cot, strapped in, features not set, and half-dressed.
Granted, he was a big man, and I really had no clue what to expect. Now I know this was not how to treat a loved one. The reasons the mortuary did this are not important now. However, this became a catalyst in my passion to serve families to the utmost in their time of loss.

I have been in this industry for a while, starting in 2001 as a removal tech and funeral assistant at O’Connor Funeral Home in Great Falls. I was looking for a part-time job and stopped by the local Job Service in Great Falls and saw an ad for part-time help at O’Connor Funeral Home. I was given the opportunity to work under Todd Carmichael, Gene Goodson, and Bob Corbally. I worked there until 2006, when I went to Mount Hood to finish Mortuary School. Bob was the one who really helped and directed me to take the plunge and pursue becoming a mortician.

At Mount Hood, I was able to work full-time at Bateman Carroll and really see how the industry works. I accomplished a lot of funeral work, restoration experience and embalming in my 10 months out there. After graduating, I was offered
a job in Helena to work at Retz Funeral Home and Randy Wilke. This is where I really became the mortician I am today.

I have enjoyed this profession immensely and have met a great number of colleagues I consider friends. Working with and in the MFDA is a rewarding experience. I would encourage anyone who has the desire and will to become involved. I am grateful for the time I served; who knows, I might be back. Thanks to Jim Brown, Terri James, and the entire
board for all they have done and continue to do for our association. God Bless and take care.