Young Funeral Directors

Mission Statement

"Inspiring young funeral directors in Ohio through social, educational and interactive programs while promoting excellence in funeral service."

CHAIR:
Craig Stires, CFSP
Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, Inc.
550 Hill Rd. North
Pickerington, OH 43147
Phone: (614) 837-7126
Fax: (614) 837-8096
CraigPStires@gmail.com

MEMBERS:
Lauren Baughman, Canal Winchester
Stephen Best, Canal Fulton
Bradley Chute, CFSP, Newark
Holly Colwell, Columbus
Matt Dixon, Canal Winchester
Jordan Hart, Rittman
Brittany Brundidge Muhammad, Cincinnati
Kurt Sammons, Canal Winchester
Eric Smith, Lancaster
Michael T. Smith, CFSP, Marion
Devin Woodyard, Columbus

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Annual Distinguished Service Award

This annual award is to be presented to the Ohio Funeral Directors Association Young Funeral Director who meets the following qualifications:
  1. Nominees must be OFDA members in good standing and 40 years of age or under in the year he or she is nominated.
  2. Exhibit outstanding citizenship in the community; serving the community in which he/she lives and/or works by assisting with activities or organizations that strengthen and improve the community.
  3. Exhibit a level of professionalism that exemplifies the attributes of a professional funeral director and maintains the confidence of the personal and business relationships with those he/she serves.
  4. Supports his/her professional organizations in their efforts to improve the standards of funeral service and to lend his/her voice in censure against those who would deter these efforts.
Rules of Procedure and Operation
Nominations for the Distinguished Service Award will be made to OFDA by colleagues, mentors, managers or supervisors of nominees. Award winner will be selected by members of the following: 
  • OFDA Young Funeral Directors Committee
  • The OFDA Board of Directors 
  • Executive Director of OFDA
All nominations must be received by OFDA prior to March 1, 2020 during the period of January 1st through the last day of February for consideration.
 
*If nominated, members of the YFD Committee and OFDA Board of Directors must recuse themselves from group that selects award winner. 
  • An award will be presented each year at the annual convention to the selected recipient, and the recipient’s name will be added to a permanent Distinguished Service Award Plaque on display at the OFDA office.
  • The selected recipient will receive $500 towards an OFDA continuing education course or funeral industry convention in hopes of encouraging their continued growth as a funeral professional.
  • A press release will be prepared and made available to award recipient and will be shared within OFDA media network.
  • The selected recipient will receive complimentary OFDA convention registration for the year he or she is selected.