GFDA Member News

Congratulations to Ellen Wynn McBrayer and Carlton Maye, Jr.

NFDA Members Elect Leaders to Help Shape the Future of Funeral Service

Brookfield, Wis. – Eligible voting members of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) have elected new officers to serve on the association's Board of Directors, selecting leaders who will help guide NFDA's efforts to support funeral professionals, advocate for the profession and strengthen service to families and communities. Elected to serve as officers on the 2026-27 Board of Directors were President-elect Steve Spann, CFSP, CCO, of Spann Funeral Home in Dickson, Tennessee; Treasurer Ellen Wynn McBrayer, CFSP, CPC, CCO, of Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes & Crematory in Villa Rica, Georgia; and Secretary Carlton Maye Jr., MBA, CFSP, CCO, of Serenity Funeral Home in Dublin, Georgia.

Current President-elect, Chris E. Christian, CFSP, CCO, of Rogersville, Tennessee, will assume the role of 2026-27 NFDA President.

Current NFDA President Daniel J. Ford, CFSP, CCSP, of Cheshire, Connecticut, will continue his service on the Board of Directors as 2026-27 Immediate Past President.

These leaders will begin their one-year terms of office immediately following the 2026 NFDA International Convention & Expo, which will take place October 25-28 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Also continuing their service on the Board of Directors are 2025-2027 At-Large Representatives Carlos D. Black of Small’s Mortuary in Mobile, Alabama, and Christopher Costello, CFSP, of Mothe Funeral Homes in New Orleans, Louisiana.