Summer Convention
Soaking It Up in St. Simons
May 31 - June 2, 2026
The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
Thank you to our attendees, presenters and sponsors!
A Message from the 2026-2027 GFDA Executive Committee
David Mowell, Immediate Past President; Casey Brannen-Strickland, President;
Teddy Price, Treasurer; Darren Day, President-elect; and Chris Messina, Secretary
Years of Service Recognition
During our Business Meeting, held Tuesday, June 2, we recognized licensed funeral directors for their years of service.
10 YEARS: Jason Foskey
25 YEARS: Cary Grossi, Jason Holt, and Thomas Andrew Keith, Jr.
30 YEARS: Marjorie Carter and Walter Ernest "Ernie" Carter
40 YEARS: Terry L. Wheaton
50 YEARS: W.G. "Dub" Music, Richard N. Stanley, III, and Tommy Strom
60 YEARS: George Wesley Hughes
2026 Service of Remembrance
During this service, held Tuesday, June 2, we honored and remembered
funeral service professionals & loved ones who passed from May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026.
Thank you to our presenters for sharing their expertise!
Jake Johnson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Johnson Consulting Group
"How to Enhance the Customer Experience &
the Value it Brings to Your Organization"
"Strategic Debt: Turning Leverage into Growth"
Garrett Wardell
Account Executive
Federated Insurance
"Loss Exposures and Risk Management for Funeral Services"
"Fire Safety Prevention"
Christopher L. Farmer
General Counsel
National Funeral Directors Association
"NFDA Funeral Rule and Legal Update"
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Federated Insurance
Johnson Consulting Group
CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
Doric of NE GA/Classic Metal Vaults
CASINO NIGHT
Federated Insurance
HOSPITALITY HOUSE
Piedmont Precast
MONDAY AUDIO VISUAL
Batesville
SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE GIFT
Funeral Home Gifts
SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE PROGRAM
Messenger
SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE VIDEO
Tukios
GOLF TOURNAMENT LONGEST DRIVE
Polyguard LLC
GOLF TOURNAMENT HOLE
ATL BIO
Precoa
Treasured Memories
Ward's Funeral Supplies
GOLF TOURNAMENT CLOSEST TO THE PIN
IFPA Independent Funeral Planning Alliance
LANYARDS
Federated Insurance
TOTES
Atlantic Coast Life Insurance Company
DIAMOND PLATINUM
Federated Insurance
Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions
GOLD
Atlantic Coast Life Insurance Company
Cincinnati Equitable Life Ins
Homesteaders Life Company
Physicians Mutual
Shields Professional Vehicles
SILVER
Express Funeral Funding
Funeral Directors Life (FDL)
Lord & Stephens
National Funeral Directors Association
BRONZE
ATL BIO
Curtron Transport Services
Doric of NE GA/Classic Metal Vaults
Georgia Eye Bank
LifeLink of Georgia
Service Casket Company
Treasured Memories
SUPPORTER
Cobb Funeral Chapel
Lovein Funeral Home, Inc.
