Executive Committee

Bill Hightower President & NFDA Policy Board Member

Hightower Family Funeral Homes
Bremen, GA

William “Bill” Hightower is a lifelong resident of Haralson County. Bill began working in his father’s business when he was sixteen years old – washing cars and driving ambulances. He graduated from Bremen High School in 1985, Carroll Technical School as an Emergency Medical Technician in 1986, Metro Paramedic Program in 1987 and Gupton Jones Mortuary College in 1989. He is a licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, Cardiovascular Technician and Critical Care Paramedic and is fully involved in the funeral business, ambulance service and the cemetery. Bill married Susan Adams of Buchanan in 1993. They have four children: son, Chris Wright, a graduate of Bremen High School and Auburn University; son, Ryan Smith, a graduate of Bremen High School and West Georgia College, son, Tyler Smith, a graduate of Bremen High School and a daughter, Jacquelyn Hightower, a graduate of Bremen High School and currently attending Auburn University.

Telephone: 1-770-537-2375

Email: BH1196@aol.com

Rob Roberson President-elect

Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home
Folkston, GA

Rob grew up in Blackshear,Ga and graduated from Pierce County High School in 1992. He began his funeral service career at Shepard Funeral Home in Folkston ,GA in June of 1993. Rob moved to Atlanta to attend Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service and graduated in 1996. Upon completing his apprenticeship in Savannah, he moved back to Folkston in October of 1996. Rob was able to purchase the funeral home in 2007. He served as Coroner of Charlton County from 1998-2016. He currently serves on the Folkston City Council. He served on the Executive Committee of the Independent Funeral Directors Of Georgia And was the President Of the Association at the time of the merger with GFDA. He and his wife Jennifer have a blended family of 6 children, Andrew, 21, Sara, 13, Payne, Bennett, and EmmaRae are 11 and Kolbie is 4.

Telephone: 1-912-496-7388

Email: shepardrobersonfuneralhome@yahoo.com

Jason Wommack Treasurer

Lord and Stephens Funeral Homes
Athens, GA

Jason Wommack is a 1994 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. He has been employed with Lord and Stephens since 1995. He and his wife, Mandy live in Oconee County. In his spare time, Jason enjoys traveling, motorcycle riding and UGA sports.

Telephone: 1-706-546-1587

Email: jwommack@lordandstephens.com

Scott Ellis Secretary

Caldwell and Cowan Funeral Home
Covington, GA

Scott Ellis, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) and Certified Crematory Operator, has been a part of the Caldwell & Cowan family since 2007. A 2010 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, he served as Vice President of the Pi Sigma Eta fraternity, and was awarded the distinguished Bill Pierce Award, given to one who demonstrates their exemplary professionalism and above and beyond efforts to funeral service. He continues to work with the College, serving as a member of the Advisory Board. Following graduation, Scott completed the National Funeral Directors Association's Certified Preplanning Consultant program, which recognizes qualified, knowledgeable individuals who are committed to provide ethical and caring advance planning services for all families.

Scott is a lifelong resident of Newton County. He and his wife, Ronda, have been happily married for over 35 years. Their daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Mark Still, and their four beautiful grandchildren, are their pride and joy. Scott and Ronda enjoy going camping and love spending time with their family members, who mean the most to them.

Scott's goal in funeral service is to treat every family with the compassion and respect they deserve when they need it most. Having completed all required coursework to obtain his Certified Funeral Service Practitioner(CFSP) designation indicates that he goes above and beyond to serve every family as if they were his own.

Telephone: 1-770-786-7062

Email: scott.e@caldwellandcowan.com

Nathan Stanley Immediate Past President

Stanley Funeral Home & Crematory
Dublin, GA

Richard N. Stanley, IV is a third generation licensed funeral director and embalmer. Nathan, as friends and family call him, is a 1998 graduate of Dublin High School and also a 2000 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta. Having grown up in and around the funeral home his entire life, he knew what he wanted to do as a career. His understanding demeanor and thoughtfulness toward the families we serve make him an asset to the business. He is a member and currently serves as President of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association and he is also a member of the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia. From 2013 until 2015, he served as President of the the Independent Funeral Directors of Georgia. In addition to his duties as a funeral director, he has also served as Deputy Coroner of Laurens County since 2005. He was the recipient of the 2015 "Harry Pippin Award" Deputy Coroner of the Year for the Georgia Coroner's Association. He has one daughter, Janna Kathleen Stanley, one son, Nathan Chandler Stanley and is married to the former Brooke Evans Stanley of Macon. He is an a active member of Marie Baptist Church in Dublin, Georgia where he currently serves as Chairman of Personnel. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, hunting and fishing.

Telephone: 1-478-272-5855

Email: nathan@stanleyfuneralhome.com