The Messenger Sales Team

Tom Ahlers - WI, MI

Tom Ahlers lives in Wisconsin, the place he has called home since childhood. He loves the lakes of northern Wisconsin, going fishing in the summer and ice fishing during the winter. Tom spent eight years traveling and working in Asia earlier in his career, but eventually returned home to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was a member of the Messenger sales team for nearly 30 years. Tom treasures the relationships he has made while working as a sales rep. In 2014, he was named Sales Rep of the Year, and he is proud that his father was alive to witness this achievement. His family is important to him, and his desire to provide for and guide his children has motivated him throughout his life and career.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Bridge of Faith

Paul Ambroselli - NY, PA

Paul began representing Messenger in January 2010 after representing the Deaton-Kennedy Company for a number of years. He is a licensed funeral director in New York and Pennsylvania, and is the husband of Valerie. They have three children: Sara, Clarice, and Dominic. Paul is a 1986 graduate of Archbishop Walsh High School in Olean, NY and received his funeral service education at Simmons Institute of Funeral Service in 1993. He is currently a member of the board of trustees of Archbishop Walsh Academy which directs both the high school as well as Southern Tier Catholic School. Paul enjoys vacationing with his family and regularly does so on Cape Cod each summer.

Jay Amburgey - IN, OH, WV

Jay is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of Ohio, and he feels right at home in the world of funeral supply sales. He enjoys the opportunity to tackle new challenges every day. In his free time, Jay enjoys playing golf, going to Bengals games, and spending time with his family. He sees his role as a father as his greatest achievement. Jay enjoys taking vacations to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and Captiva Island, Florida, but he’s happy anywhere he can be near the ocean and play a morning round of golf. He and his wife Teresa have been married for over 30 years, and they have two daughters.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Ornate (black)

Cameron Audette - NY, VT, CT, MA

Cameron Audette grew up around the funeral industry. As a kid, he wanted to be a golf course designer, but he always had a fondness for the people in the funeral service profession and recently followed his father into the sales side of the business. Cameron spent his childhood in Saratoga, New York, a place he still calls home, though he loves to travel. His favorite destination so far has been Aspen, Colorado, where he once skied the Highland Bowl. He hopes to visit the Mediterranean and the Maldives someday. Cameron also enjoys soccer. He set several records while playing in college, and was named Conference Player of the Year his junior year. Cameron believes in the importance of trying new things. He knows life is short and wants to accomplish as much as possible.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: The Mountain Chapel

David Bednar - MD, PA, DE

David Bednar grew in up South Jersey, and then moved to Southeast Pennsylvania where he lived for 43 years until moving to Millsboro, Delaware in the fall of 2015. He enjoys traditional east coast activities like clamming and crabbing, and would love to see the Eagles win a Super Bowl. He wanted to be a trash collector when he was 7 or 8 years old, then at age 13 he decided he wanted to be a funeral director instead. He saw this profession as a way to help families in their time of need. By working with Messenger, he still feels he is able to do this by offering those families a diverse line of products to help them through the funeral process. He has been a Messenger sales rep for 30 years, on top of remaining a licensed funeral director and CFSP, as well as an OSHA Compliance Trainer. He and his wife Pam have been married for 22 years. David gained two step-children through his marriage, and now he and Pam have three grandchildren.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: The Beach

Michael Borror - KY, TN, WV, AL

Mike Borror has been active in the funeral industry for over 23 years. He came to Messenger in 2014, and enjoys using his knowledge of the industry to help funeral directors maximize their merchandising efforts. He likes knowing that he has played a part in helping a family through a difficult time. Mike grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but now resides in Old Hickory, Tennessee where he enjoys tennis, boating, and spending the day at Old Hickory Lake. He also enjoys the occasional parasailing adventure or trip to the Caribbean. Mike and his wife Lynette have been married for 34 years and have three grown sons.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: On Freedom’s Wing

Jeff Burnett - PA, NJ, NY

Jeff Burnett always knew he would be a salesman. Growing up he watched his father, a salesman for over 45 years, build lasting relationships and friendships with the customers he served. Jeff holds a BSBA in Management from Nichols College, and has spent the past 26 years serving funeral professionals. In his spare time, he enjoys walking, gardening, reading (especially historical fiction) and various “DIY” projects. He and his wife Lisa enjoy quiet time in nature or by the ocean. Jeff and Lisa have been married for 29 years, and are proud to have raised two great children.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: The Beach (with Enduring as a close second)

Jeff Chancellor - Canada

Randy Clemons - IA

Randy Clemons has called St. Charles, Missouri his home since the mid-70’s. He once considered becoming a funeral director, and took advantage of the opportunity to get into the sales end of the business when it came along. He has been in the funeral industry for 30 years and truly enjoys the people in the business, from the funeral directors to his peers. He and his wife, Trish, have been married for 35 years, and Randy finds his greatest inspiration from seeing her work as a registered nurse. Randy and Trish have two sons, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson. In his free time, Randy plays music as a solo act and in a band, performing in clubs throughout Missouri and Illinois. He also enjoys Stephen King novels and sports—especially the St. Louis Cardinals. He is motivated by the promise of each new day, and his desire not to waste even one of them.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: A Peaceful Retreat

Steve Coker - TX

Steve Coker was a full-time pastor before he took a leap of faith and left his steady job behind to follow his father into the sales world. Now he’s glad he did. He is inspired by his faith in God, sees his sales position as a way to use his gifts and strengths as part of God’s plan. His favorite part about his job is working with customers to help them identify and solve problems. As a Texas native, Steve enjoys all the great things the Lone Star State has to offer: hunting, fishing, and the music of Willie Nelson. He also serves as the lead pastor of a Cowboy Church in Bulverde, Texas. Steve and his lovely wife Joni have been married for 31 years, and together they have two sons.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: On Freedom’s Wing

Paul Cotter - GA, FL

After graduating from college, Paul spent several years working in Admissions and Financial Aid departments at Georgetown University. He entered the sales world roughly four decades ago, with Xerox. Since then he has held numerous positions in both sales and sales management, in companies large and small, public and private. He has been a manager at the branch, regional, and national levels. Paul began selling to the funeral industry 15 years ago, with the A Rifkin Co. He considers himself privileged to represent stationery companies along with a dedicated sales force. Paul’s home is in Atlanta, Georgia, where he resides with his wife Pat. They have four children and eleven grandchildren, who are the reason Paul is still working. For Christmas 2016 Paul and Pat received gifts from the grandchildren that said “Best Nana Ever” and “Best Papa Ever.” Paul says the gifts came from the internet, so it must be true!

Michael Craig - NC, SC

Michael Craig has a degree in Marketing and a long history of sales experience. He spent over 30 years selling into the apparel and book manufacturing industries before joining the Messenger team. In his career and personal life, he is motivated by lasting relationships with family, friends, and customers. He meets often with friends from church, and he even keeps in touch with teammates from his UNC College baseball team, for which he was team manager. He was part of the 1964 UNC baseball team which went undefeated with a 14-0 record in ACC conference play.  Michael and his wife Brenda celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the spring of 2016—which Michael considers his biggest accomplishment. They live in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they have spent all but 10 months of their married lives, and together they have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Eternal Springtime

Ellie Dane - FL

Eleanor “Ellie” Dane spent her childhood just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a young girl, she wanted to be a Prima Ballerina when she grew up. Now, as a sales rep, she likes helping her customers succeed in pleasing the families they serve. Ellie and her husband live in Seminole, Florida. They have a son and daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. Ellie enjoys gardening, listening to TED Talks and podcasts, and exercising. She once drove a 600HP NASCAR race car 8 laps around the Daytona Speedway. Ellie describes her perfect day as beginning with a morning workout and breakfast, and then spending the rest of the day swimming with her grandchildren.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Serenity

Ron Downey - Eastern Ontario, Canada

Ron, a native of Scarborough, Ontario, recently joined the Messenger sales team in Canada. In school his favorite subjects were anatomy and physical education, and he used to work as an Aerobics instructor. Now he has an Honors Degree in Physical Education and Sociology from York University, and chose a career in sales for the opportunity to work with people, solve problems, and travel. Ron likes to spend his free time at the family cottage on Crystal Lake, reading a book or newspaper in the sun room. Ron and his wife designed the cottage themselves with the help of a builder, and Ron considers its construction his greatest achievement. He also enjoys golf, tennis, gardening, boating, and skiing. Ron and his wife were married 27 years ago in Blackpool, England. Together they have two young adult children.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Distinctive Stationery collection

John Duncan - LA, MS

John has been on the Messenger sales team for nine years, and made the Top Ten List after his second year. He likes finding new ways to connect with customers, and keeping them happy with good products backed by great service. As a child, John wanted to be a professional bass fisherman when he grew up. Now he enjoys hunting and fishing as hobbies in his free time, and loves nothing more than to sit in a deer stand on a winter morning, watching nature come alive with the sunrise. John and his wife Lannis have been married for 42 years, and they have three children and four grandchildren—all boys. His greatest achievement has been raising three great kids with little family drama.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Rustic Retreat

Kevin Durkan - ME, RI, NH, MA

Kevin M. Durkan, was born and raised in Worcester, MA the youngest of 7 children. He graduated from St. John's High School in Shrewsbury in 1993 and received his Associate's Degree at Mt Ida College in 1995. Kevin has over 20 years of progressive experience in the funeral services industry beginning with the Bell-O’Dea Funeral Home in Brookline, MA shortly after starting school. He also has worked at the former Manzi Funeral Home in Worcester, MA, Miles Funeral Homes in Holden and Sterling, MA, O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home in Worcester, MA and most recently has been a funeral director with Fay Brothers Funeral Homes since 2003. Kevin is a member of the AOH Div. 36, the Alhambra Council #88, Knights of Columbus and Emerald Club. He also has served on the Off Street Parking Board for the City of Worcester since 2013. In his free time he enjoys playing golf, rugby, traveling to his family home in Marshfield, and trips to Ireland to visit relatives. Kevin resides in Worcester with his wife Alissa and dog Bryson.

Todd Ely - IN, OH

Todd Ely lives in Auburn, Indiana, just minutes from the Messenger headquarters. He enjoys buying and selling antiques and shooting trap and skeet, and describes his perfect day as any day spent on the beach. As a kid, Todd wanted to be a secret service agent. He did become a police officer and once helped deliver a baby while on duty—an experience he considers his greatest achievement. Todd believes in the importance of family and friends, and finds it especially important to cherish time with elder relatives, who won’t be around forever. The best meals he’s ever had have been home-cooked by his mother and grandmothers. As a sales rep, he is motivated by the satisfaction he gets from problem-solving and helping families through a difficult time.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: On Freedom’s Wing

Meredith Feminis - IL

Meredith joined Messenger in 2014,after being with Deaton-Kennedy for 6 years. She holds an Associate of Arts degree, and enjoys working out in her spare time along with making memories with her family. On Valentine’s Day, she and her husband surprised their daughters with a mini Australian labradoodle, "Cougs," who is a perfect fit for the family. Most weekends in the fall you will catch Meredith and her family at SXU football games where her husband Mike is the head football coach. Her favorite vacation spot so far has been Italy, and she hopes to take her daughters back there one day. Meredith’s favorite part of her job is helping her customers to best serve the families they serve, along with being a solution provider. She believes in always having a positive attitude and never taking anyone or anything for granted.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Ornate

Thomas Gutzmer - VA

Although born in Rochester NY, Thomas is a native of Richmond, VA. He holds two Bachelor’s degrees, and recently joined the Messenger sales team where he enjoys the customer service and sales aspects of his job. In his leisure time, Thomas enjoys sports, the beach, wineries, and good food. As a child, Thomas hoped to become either a professional football player or a professional baseball player. Thomas describes his ideal vacation as a leisurely week at a warm climate beach where wine and seafood are abundant.  He and his wife have been married for 22 years, and they have two children.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Beaches

Kory Hatch - WA, OR, ID

Kory Hatch grew up in Idaho, but that doesn’t stop him from fitting in perfectly in the Pacific Northwest, where he now resides in Washington. He enjoys fishing, camping (especially along the Deschutes River), and spending his days outdoors with friends and family. As a kid, Kory wanted to be a chiropractor. He ended up attending and graduating from Mortuary school instead, which led him to his current career in the funeral industry. He has one daughter, and considers his role in her upbringing to be his greatest achievement.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: A Peaceful Retreat

Shannon Hutchins - KS

Shannon Hutchins was a funeral director and embalmer for 25 years before joining the Messenger sales team. As a funeral director he enjoyed creating a unique, personalized service for a family’s loved one, and he sees his position with Messenger as a way to stay in the industry and help funeral homes provide for their families. Shannon has been married for 16 years, and he has three children. Most of his weekends are full of watching his two oldest children play softball and baseball. In his limited free time, Shannon enjoys playing golf and watching the Royals and the Chiefs play. He and his family also enjoy the occasional vacation to one of Mexico’s beaches.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Ornate (black)

Brad Johnson - AL, FL

Brad Johnson grew up in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and was around the funeral industry throughout his childhood. Now that he has joined the sales side of the business, he enjoys meeting new people and talking about changes and new solutions in the industry. Brad enjoys golf, tennis, reading biographies, and going to the beach with his family. He also loves a dinner of fresh-caught grilled fish. Brad and his wife Lauren have been married for seven years, and they live in Birmingham, Alabama with their two sons. Besides graduating from college, Brad considers his role in raising his children to be his greatest accomplishment.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Cambridge and The Beach

Mike Kane - CA, NV, AZ

Mike Kane is a Wisconsin native, but recently joined the Messenger sales team and moved to the Southwest to take over his new sales territory. Before coming to Messenger, he worked as a funeral director, a profession he chose at a young age. The most fulfilling part of his role at Messenger is to help funeral homes implement new products and merchandising that will increase sales and provide families with highly personalized memorial items. He finds inspiration from ordinary people who put the needs of others before their own, and who give anonymously. Having grown up around lakes, Mike enjoys swimming, waterskiing, and biking, but his current passion is running. He has even completed a few marathons. Even crazier than running 26.2 miles for fun, Mike once “jumped out of a mechanically sound airplane at 13,000 feet”—presumably while wearing a parachute. Although far from Wisconsin, he remains a loyal Green Bay Packers fan.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Ornate

Mark Kaul - MI

Mark, a Michigan native, recently joined the Messenger sales team after 30 years in the funeral industry. When he was young, he was inspired by watching his father, a funeral director, care for families during hard times, and decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. He appreciates opportunities to help people out in both good times and bad. Mark enjoys hockey, skiing, hunting, and fishing in his free time. Once, he even tried heli-skiing. His favorite vacation spot is Northern Michigan, and someday he would love to spend a few weeks traveling through Australia with his wife. Mark and his wife of 19 years have 3 children together, and Mark considers his family his greatest achievement.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Water’s Edge

Dave Kolbe - OH, KY

Dave Kolbe was first drawn to the funeral service profession when he was a teenager, and has never looked back. He attended the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science after graduating from Bowling Green State University, and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Ohio. In 1989, Dave left his job as a funeral home manager to join the Messenger sales team. He still feels right at home in the funeral industry, which he describes as “a caring profession measured by sincere, quality service to others.” Dave’s hobbies include boating and gardening, and he loves nothing more than spending a day boating with his family and friends. After losing his first wife, Dave remarried 10 years ago to Beth. Now they have four children between them and welcomed their first grandchild in the fall of 2016.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: On Freedom’s Wing

Scott Lee - OH

Scott Lee has been an unofficial part of the Messenger sales team since he was young. His father worked for Messenger for 50 years, and Scott would often answer the phone and take orders. He started working for his father with Messenger after his graduation from college. Scott has an Associate’s Degree in Architecture and a BA in Marketing, and has been with Messenger since 1986. He and his father were top salesmen for Messenger in 1996. Outside of work, Scott’s hobbies are “boating, boating, and more boating.” He enjoys reading boating magazines, and has participated in the Super Boat International Offshore Racing Series as a member of the “ground crew” for a friend’s boat.

Favorite (top 5) Messenger stationery series: On Freedom’s Wing, Wildflowers, Northern Cardinal, Garden of Promise, and Angler’s Glory 

Chuck Lemmons - AR

Chuck is an Arkansas native and a licensed funeral director. His love for the funeral industry and passion for meeting people led him to his position on the Messenger sales team. Outside of work, Chuck enjoys bicycling, riding about 5,000 miles per year. He also enjoys vacationing to Mt. View, camping with his wife and their two children, and eating hot dogs around a campfire. Chuck believes in the importance of family, hard work, and a good education. He is motivated by his desire to show his children what a good work ethic looks like, and he is inspired by his father-in-law to be a better person. Chuck and his family live in Paragould, Arkansas.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Peaceful Retreat

Bill Lindley - LA, MS

Bill Lindley lived all throughout Louisiana and Mississippi while he was growing up, as part of a family that moved 12 times in 12 years. He dreamed of being a shoe salesman as a kid, and went on to spend 37 years selling in the footwear industry. After much of this manufacturing industry moved overseas, he joined his wife Linda in the funeral stationery business. As a traveling salesman he enjoys being on the road, calling the front seat of his Chevy “home.” In addition to his long sales record, Bill’s other achievements include placing in the World BBQ Championship in 1995, and placing 14^th in the 2006 National Bench Rest Competition. He may be the only person to ever call speech class his favorite course in school. And, like any good southerner, his favorite hobby is shooting firearms.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Cameo

Linda Lindley - LA, MS

Linda Lindley is proud of the fact that she is 71 and still not retired. She will celebrate 52 years in the funeral industry in August 2016. Linda loves her customers, though she still dreams of being a country singer like her favorite artist Patsy Cline. Linda and her husband Bill live in Brandon, Mississippi, but Linda loves vacationing to their home in Texas to be with her cows and cats. Linda also enjoys exploring ghost towns and collecting Indian artifacts from their Texas property. Linda and Bill have been married for 34 years, and have one daughter, three grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Cameo

Gary Marks - PA, WV

Gary has been married to his wife Anna for 29 years, has two children, and takes great pride in his role as son, husband, and father. He has been on the Messenger sales team for six years, and he enjoys meeting and working with customers to help them provide the families they serve with appropriate options for memorial needs. In his spare time, Gary enjoys visiting new and unique restaurants, wine tasting, and listening to the music of Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones, and Phil Collins. He loves traditional Italian cuisine consisting of five courses and a nice bottle of wine. Gary lives in Pennsylvania, but considers “home” to be anywhere he is with his wife and family.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Cambridge

Paul McAndrew - PA, NY

Paul McAndrew has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Education. He chose a career in sales because of his extroverted personality, his love for meeting new and different people, and his desire to listen to people and help them solve problems. Some of his hobbies include gardening, fencing, hunting, and biking. He has participated in several century bike rides, and once rode his 10-speed bike all the way from Beach Haven, New Jersey to Lincoln, Nebraska. One of his other adventures includes working as a lifeguard for four years at the Jersey Shore and never losing a swimmer. Today Paul still loves spending a beautiful day at the beach with his family. Paul and his wife have been married for 36 years, after meeting when she hired him to work as a waiter at her restaurant. They have two children and one grandchild.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: The Beach

Glen Miller - Western Ontario, Canada

Glen has always felt that sales was his calling, and ended up in funeral sales so he could join the family funeral business. He worked at Ward Funeral Home for over ten years, and is proud of the service he helped provide to over 1,200 families. Now, as a sales representative, he enjoys introducing customers to new and innovative products, and helping them find profitable new approaches to doing business. Glen enjoys sports, especially golf and hockey. Like any good Canadian, he used to dream of being a professional hockey player. He has been married for thirteen years, and considers his marriage his greatest achievement. Glen and his wife live in Ancaster, Ontario with their three cats.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Family Tree

Sherry Noble - VA, NC, SC

Sherry Leonard Noble grew up surrounded by the funeral business. She started keeping books and taking orders for her father when she was about 10 years old. She has now spent about 40 years in the funeral stationery business, has served as Secretary-Treasurer for the South Carolina Sales Association for 12 years, and is a past President of the North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia Sales Association. Sherry loves her customers and considers them part of her family. In her free time she enjoys reading, traveling, trying out new restaurants, and loves to vacation anywhere near the water. She is inspired to be a better person by the teachings of Jesus Christ, the life and works of Mother Teresa, and by her husband’s constant support. Sherry has been married for 27 years and has a young adult son. She feels most at home wherever her family is.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Timeless & The Beach

Mary Perry - VA, TN, NC

After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Mary worked alongside her grandfather, I.E. Clevenger, who was retiring from Messenger after 40 years of service. In 2016, Mary celebrated 25 year as a Messenger representative. One of the greatest rewards of this legacy is the relationships built with many people in the funeral profession, and the potential for new connections in the future. Mary and her two sons call East Tennessee home. Mary enjoys gardening, boating, music, and any vacation that takes her to the beach. She also enjoys cooking meals to share with friends and family. Mary is inspired by God’s blessings, and by the good, kind people in her life.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Lifetime

Bill Schultz - DE

Bill has been in the funeral industry for 40 years, and a member of the Messenger sales team for 37. As a child, he wanted to be a professional baseball player when he grew up. Now, his advice to his childhood self is simply, “Be kind to people.” In his spare time, Bill enjoys fishing and hunting—especially fly fishing in Newfoundland. He is the Vice Chairman of the New Jersey Fishing and Game Council. He likes many different types of music, and enjoys visiting the New Jersey shore. Bill and his wife have been married for 59 years.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: A Peaceful Retreat

Bill Suthoff - IL

Bill Suthoff’s career goals have shifted a bit since he was a kid. He used to dream of being a veterinarian, but chose a career in sales because of the opportunities to meet people and build relationships. Outside of his work, Bill enjoys golf and traveling to anywhere and everywhere. Someday he would love to take a motor home around North and South America. Bill has been married 47 years, has three kids, and five grandkids. He considers his children and grandchildren his eight greatest accomplishments, and finds inspiration from children everywhere.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: A Peaceful Retreat

Michael Suthoff - MO

Michael Suthoff lives in St. Charles, Missouri. He and his wife Joyce have been married 35 years, and together they have three children and nine grandchildren. As a salesman, Michael enjoys meeting the great people of the funeral industry. In his free time, enjoys golf, fishing, and vacationing to the Osage River. He loves a day filled with friends and food, where everyone gets home safely in the evening. Michael is also one of the few people you’ll meet who has not only eaten frog legs, but even calls it the best meal he’s ever had.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Foundations Themes

Sabra Todd - OK

Sabra was raised in a family of funeral directors, and always saw them as kind people who brought peace to grieving families. Her mother, a funeral director, was her greatest inspiration in life, so it was natural for Sabra to join the industry herself. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the lake, and she loves to read—she’ll read anything she picks up! Sabra once took a weekend trip to Montreal to watch a Formula 1 car race. She also enjoys visiting Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, and Panama City, Florida. She considers it her greatest achievement to have raised a child, and that she was able to care for her aging mother. Sabra has one son, and two grandsons.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Gracious Garden

Glenn Vaughn - TX

Glenn Vaughn has been in the funeral industry for 26 years. He has received multiple Supplier of the Year awards from the TFDA regions, and been named Co-“Sales Agent of the Year” twice while working for Messenger. Glenn enjoys reading John Grisham’s novels, cooking, and wine tasting. He once went all the way to Italy to go wine tasting and sightseeing, and hopes to go back someday. He’s still a true Texas native, though, having ridden in several rodeos in the past. Glenn and his wife Yvonne have been married for 23 years. They live in San Antonio, and have three children and five grandchildren.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Ornate

Bret Welsh - ND, SD, MN

Bret joined the sales world shortly after finishing school and enjoyed the challenges that came with the job. He later moved into the funeral industry, and has found it is very rewarding to be able to help his customers help the families they serve. Outside of work, Bret enjoys sports, especially golf, hockey, and running. As a child, he dreamed of being a professional athlete in just about any sport. He still enjoys a round of golf and says his vacation would be a road trip to visit every Major League baseball stadium in America. He also loves a good book, and cherishes holiday meals with his family.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Ornate

Jim Whitecar - CA

For Jim Whitecar, sales is a second career. He first followed his childhood dream of becoming an electrician, and worked for PG&E for 32 years. He worked as an Apprentice Lineman, and his job often included climbing 400-ft electric towers in San Francisco Bay to clean the salt buildup off the insulators. Jim received a Livesaving Award while on the job for performing CPR to revive a fellow lineman who had been electrocuted. Jim came to Messenger after retiring from PG&E. He has enjoyed meeting and making new friends with the people in the industry. In his spare time, he likes golf, and relaxing at the beach with his family and their dogs. Jim and his wife Carolyn have been married for 14 years, and they have one daughter.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Ornate

Gerry Wright - CO, NM, NE

Gerry Wright believes in taking advantage of new opportunities. He was an adventurous kid. At the age of ten he took his younger brother and a little boat out into Balboa Bay, CA without his parents’ knowledge. Later he dreamed of being a pilot. Sailing and flying are hobbies Gerry has enjoyed in the past, and now he is involved in remodeling projects. Throughout his adult life he has owned and operated several successful small businesses, and brought his sales skills to Messenger about 25 years ago. Gerry and his wife have been married for 59 years. They have a dog, three children, and four grandchildren—two of whom are musically inclined and have become Gerry’s favorite musicians.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: His custom Maroon Bells

Greg Wright - CO, NM, NE

Greg Wright is the younger half of a father-son sales team. They have been working together again since 2010, for a total of nearly 30 years in a family business. After years of handling small business marketing, Greg feels he has found the best fit for himself at Messenger. He enjoys the variety and excitement that naturally come when meeting with different people every day. Greg and his wife Tara have been married for 28 years, and they have one son. Having lived in Colorado nearly his whole life, Greg’s hobbies are just what you’d expect: hiking, backcountry skiing, and showshoeing. He loves the central mountains of Colorado and never feels like he needs a vacation from the gorgeous place he calls home.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Cambridge (previously, Enduring)

Nichole Bishop - National Accounts Specialist

Brian Clary - Director of Sales, East Region

Brian joined Messenger in 2014, but has been working in the funeral industry in various roles since he was 16 years old. He is a CMA and CPA with over 35 years of experience working with funeral homes and cemeteries. Before coming to Messenger, Brian worked with The Lowen Group, Aurora Casket Company, and Johnson Consulting on both the financial and operations side, and the sales side. Brian is originally from British Columbia, Canada, but now he lives in northern Kentucky with his wife and four children. Outside of work, Brian enjoys playing on a hockey team with his son.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Family Tree

Kim Scott - Director of Sales, West Region

Kim began his funeral service career in 1973 at Hawthorn Funeral Home, while attending college in his hometown of Carthage, Texas. He graduated from Sam Houston State University and from Commonwealth College of Mortuary Sciences, and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Kim worked for Service Corporation International for much of his early career before joining Messenger in 2004 as a sales representative in Eastern Texas. He was in the Top 10 and shared Sales Representative of the Year. He was named Supplier of the Year by the Texas Funeral Directors Association and by the Southeast Texas Funeral Directors Association. Kim became Director of Sales for Messenger’s West Region in 2014. He and his wife Cheryl reside in Katy, Texas. They are the parents of three daughters and seven grandchildren. Kim and Cheryl enjoy spending the summer by the pool with the grandchildren, watching football in the fall, and attending Dallas Cowboys games. They also enjoy good food with good friends.

Favorite Messenger stationery series: Ornate, Chronicles, and Family Tree