Thanks to all who helped make the 2018 Annual Conference a successful one.

Stay tuned for information regarding the 2019 WCCA Conference!

2018 Annual Conference Happenings

• Annual Golf Outing

• Conference Welcoming Event and Cookout

• Informational Seminar with Keynote Speakers:

“Legal Matters for Cemeteries” presented by Michael D. Sharkey

Michael is a veteran attorney with a passion and enthusiasm for litigation. He also possesses a unique knowledge of the funeral industry and mortuary law. He is currently General Counsel to the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association. He represents and advises funeral homes, crematories and cemeteries on legal and business matters. He also represents licensed professionals in administrative disciplinary hearings before the Minnesota Department of Health and the Federal Trade Commission. Before he became an attorney, he was a Funeral Director with a large funeral chapel and cemetery operation in the metropolitan area.

“OSHA for Cemeteries” presented by Erick Cauldwell

Erick is an accomplished safety professional with 10+ years of experience for industry-leading organizations, and an OSHA 10 & 30 Hour Certified Instructor . He is a quality and safety specialist with the ability to analyze operations, pinpoint areas for improvement and redesign and implement plans that generate results. He is an excellent relationship builder with success in forming strong, sustainable relationships and securing consensus among cross-functional team members for key initiatives which makes him an effective communicator, trainer and leader.

“Cemetery Finances” presented by Todd Mannix

Todd is the current VP of Sales and Marketing at Cooperative Funeral Fund Inc. and brings a wealth of financial knowledge and background to his seminar. At his most recent position with NBC Universal, Todd was responsible for managing the transition of worldwide distribution operations from a tape-based to digital fulfillment model. Before joining NBC Universal, Todd served as business manager at Plutus Enterprises, a boutique IT consulting company, where he implemented cash management policies. Prior to this, Todd served as the Director of Customer Care at Deltek Corporation, a global provider of enterprise software and information solutions, where he led the effort to reduce professional service costs by creating customer-focused programs.  Todd brings a unique background in both finance and operations, having also worked at two leading financial institutions.

“National Cemetery Trends” presented by Christine Toson Hentges, CCE

Christie offers extensive, hands-on experience in sales, management and growth of cemeteries. In her current capacity, Christie oversees all aspects of The Tribute Companies, which owns four cemeteries in Wisconsin, as well as precast concrete manufacturing facilities in Illinois and Indiana, and an architectural firm that specializes in cemetery and funeral home design and development. She currently serves as President-Elect for the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Home Association (ICCFA) and has served in leadership positions for several other state and regional cemetery and funeral associations.

• Cemetery & Supplier Networking

• Elective Cemetery Management Course