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JAKE JOHNSON

Jake Johnson has rapidly advanced into senior leadership roles and gained respect throughout the funeral and cem-etery industries. He is known as an innovator and thought leader. Jake’s success is based on his unique ability to identify simple solutions to complex business problems and communicate across all levels of the organization, instilling positive morale, empowerment and employee ownership to drive service excellence.

As President & CEO at Johnson Consulting, Jake provides strategic direction and mar-keting innovations that laid the groundwork for the company’s rapid growth, gaining recognition as the premiere total solutions provider within the funeral industry. In his former position as Executive VP and General Manager at Palm Mortuaries and Cem-eteries, he provided key operations leadership to the Palm Cemetery Division. Jake began his career at Keystone Group Holdings (now Dignity Memorial Network) as As-sociate Director, Corporate Development, where his financial analysis and forecasting expertise was foundational to the firm’s growth.

Jake’s educational credentials include a BSBA degree in Management with an empha-sis in Accounting and Financial Analysis from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jake is also a member-emeritus of the Funeral Service Foundation Board.

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

CARMEN COLAO

Carmen began his career with the Diocese of Buffalo, New York in 1979 serving as Assistant Controller in the Finance Department. In that capacity he began oversee-ing the finances of the Catholic Cemeteries in 1981. In 1990, Carmen accepted the position of Executive Direc-tor of the Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Buffalo in a role he maintained until his recent retirement on Oc-tober 4, 2019.

He received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management concentration from Buffalo State College. He went on to receive an Accounting Certificate with thirty two additional hours of course work from the University of Buffalo. In 2001, Carmen ob-tained the designation of “Certified Catholic Cemetery Executive” from the National Catholic Cemetery Conference. He went on to serve twelve years on the CCC Board of Directors including two years as President in 2011-2012.

Carmen and his wife, Anna Maria, have been married for 43 years. They have two chil-dren and two grandchildren. They now reside near their grandchildren in Scottsdale, Arizona.

SISTER CATHERINE MARY CLARKE

Sister Catherine Mary Clarke is a member of the Francis-can Sisters of the Eucharist of Meriden, Connecticut. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is the Director of Social Services for Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care since 2006. She works full time as the Social Worker, Pastoral Care Counselor and Bereavement Counselor.

Prior to her current position, Sister worked with a group of professionals to establish the first hospice program in Rome, Italy, an experience which awakened her to the profound need for integration of the spiritual dimension in the dying process.

Sister Catherine Mary earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Science from Shorter University in Rome, Georgia and worked as a Naturalist prior to entering the Fran-ciscan Sisters in 1986. She earned her Master’s Degree and License in Clinical Social Work from the University of Connecticut. Sister is involved in the formation process of Novices and Sisters with Temporary Vows preparing for Perpetual Vows.

MEET OUR SPEAKERSREV. JOHN R. MUIRFr. Muir was born January 30, 1978 in Burlington, Ver-mont to Ron and Mary Muir, and baptized at St John Vian-ney Parish in Vermont on February 12, 1978. He has three sisters (Theresa, Katy, Mary Ellen), one brother (Kevin) and currently twenty nieces and nephews

Fr. Muir attended Arcadia High School in Phoenix, where he played baseball and soccer. During high school he was very active in the Life Teen Youth Group at St. Theresa Parish in Phoenix. After high school Fr. Muir attended Re-

gis University in Denver, CO and graduated in 2000 with degrees in Communication Arts, and Spanish. During college he spent a semester abroad in Limerick, Ireland.

Fr. Muir heard the call to apply to seminary and enter priestly formation while on a Jubilee Year pilgrimage in 2000. He studied Philosophy at St John Vianney seminary in Denver, followed by Theology at Mundelein Seminary in Chicago. He was ordained a deacon by Francis Cardinal George on October 28, 2006, and ordained a priest by Bishop Thomas Olmsted, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, on June 2, 2007. Follow-ing ordination he completed a 2 year Licentiate degree in Theology at the Liturgical Institute in Chicago. Fr. Muir’s current assignments include: Assistant Director Office of Worship, Diocese of Phoenix and Pastor St. Thomas Aquinas, Avondale.

Fr. Muir enjoys spending time with family and brother priests. His hobbies are reading, sports, music, and teaching. His passion is finding new ways to invite people into the life of being a disciple of Jesus in the heart of the Catholic Church.

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WHEN YOU NEED AClearDIRECTION

We’re your Trustee and provider of compliance, investment management,

and recordkeeping solutions.

(800) 763-0234clearpointfederal.com

The ClearCHOICE®

CELEBRATE MASS WITH USPlease join us for a Mass Celebration at the

conclusion of the conference.

Wednesday, January 29th at 5:00 PMSuperstition Meeting Room (located next to hotel lobby)

Mass offered by Bishop Thomas Olmsted, Diocese of Phoenix.

Cocktail Reception and Banquet Dinner to immediately follow.

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CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

MONDAY, JANUARY 278:30 AM Palm Course at McCormick Ranch Golf Club 4:30 PM Welcome Reception on Lakeside Terrace

TUESDAY, JANUARY 288:00 AM Opening Prayer | Breakfast9:00 AM Jake Johnson • Johnson Consulting Group

“Assessing Business Health & Operational Strategy”

10:00 AM Carmen Colao • Happily Retired“Succession Planning: Back to the Future”

11:00 AM Break11:15 PM Supplier Face Time 12:45 PM Lunch | Lakeside Terrace2:00 PM Round-table Discussion

“Funeral Home Business: Buying, Partnering, Growing and Operating”

3:00 PM Break3:30 PM Members Meeting 6:00 PM Dinner on Your Own | Or Group Dinner

Please see Heather Long if you would like to join the group dinner.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULEWEDNESDAY, JANUARY 298:30 AM Morning Prayer | Breakfast 9:30 AM Rev. John R. Muir

“The Funeral Liturgy as Passover: Three-Dimensions of Consolation”

10:30 AM Break10:45 AM Supplier Face Time 12:00 PM Lunch | Lakeside Terrace1:30 PM Sister Catherine Mary Clarke, FSE

“A Catholic Dimension of Grieving: Recognizing, Accepting and Healing Through the Process”

2:30 PM Round-table Discussion“Parish Outreach, Priest Involvement, Managing Grieving Fam-ilies and their Unique Needs, Church teaching on end of life issues, Specialized training on the COF”

5:00 PM Mass Celebration | Bishop Thomas Olmsted5:30 PM Cocktail Reception 6:30 PM Banquet Dinner

THURSDAY, JANUARY 319:00 AM Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin West Tour & LunchRegistered attendees will meet in lobby at 9:00 AM to board shuttle for tour. Lunch is included. Shuttle should return to hotel by 2:30 PM

Your Input Matters

We value our members and it is important to us to put on a quality Con-ference each year. The best way to do this is to hear what our attendees and suppliers enjoy, what they would like to see added and what could be improved!

Please take a minute to pick up a survey from the registration table or go to ccfwest.org/survey to give feedback on this year’s Conference.

Cremation Memorialization

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859.534.5218 | sales@strassackerbronze.com

We offer a full range of products in bronze, aluminum and stainless steel and specialize in customization. From small

grave monuments to glass niches, Strassacker Bronze can partner with you and your business to help serve the needs of your cremation customer. Give your families the

ultimate personal touch in honoring and remembering their loved ones when they choose cremation.

FUNERAL HOME PARTNERSHIPS

As you are aware, we are working towards including more of the Funeral side in our mission of promoting the Order of Christian Funerals and the tradition of Catholic Burial in Catholic Cemeteries. Some of our members own and oper-ate Funeral Homes, some are considering purchasing or building, and some are working with close Funeral Home Partners in the community. No matter what stage you are at with Funeral Services, we are here to help you with strategy and ministry.

For those of you who work closely with Funeral Homes which are recognized by your (Arch)Diocese to be a Catholic provider, we encourage you to invite them to attend our annual conference each year to learn and grow both in business and spirituality.

Cultivating relationships with our community Funeral Homes can only advance our mission of educating our parishes on the Order of the Christian Funeral and we would appreciate your help in building our network. If you have a recommen-dation of a Funeral Home you work with please provide this to Heather Long.

CCFW truly appreciates our member support and we look forward to continually growing our group with your help.

THANK YOU SPONSORS

Tuesday Lunch

Wednesday Banquet Wine

Wednesday Cocktail Reception

Tote BagsProgram Printing

Golf Hole

Golf LunchNeck Lanyards

CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP CONTRIBUTORS

As part of the growth initiative, CCFW started an annual conference scholarship fund. Scholarships are open to all current CCFW Diocesan

Cemetery/Funeral Home members who have not recently or never attended an annual meeting.

We want to give our very sincere appreciation to this year’s contributors:

BEHAR MAPPING

CARRIER MAUSOLEUMS CONSTRUCTION USA INC.

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES ARCHDIOCESE OF VANCOUVER

CEMETERY 360

COLDSPRING

DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO.

INSPIRED ARTISANS, LTD.

PARADISE PICTURES

PLOTBOX

STRASSACKER BRONZE

WEBCEMETERIES

So what is PlotBox?PlotBox is the international deathcare management solution that facilitates cemeteries in operating to world-class standards through integrated software and georectified mapping modules. The number and scope of problems this innovation solves revolutionizes the way deathcare facilities both operate and grow.

AustinBelfastBostonSan Francisco Sydney

+1 857 301-7810 www.plotbox.io

To find out about our range of packages or to book a demo, please contact:

cemetery@plotbox.io

SUPPLIER FACE TIME AMERICAN CREMATORY EQUIPMENT COMPANY

BATESVILLE CASKET

BEHAR MAPPING

BIONDAN NORTH AMERICA INC

CARRIER MAUSOLEUMS CONSTRUCTION USA INC.

CATHOLIC EXTENSION

CEMETERY 360

CHRISTY VAULT/MICKELSON & RAY

CLASSICAL COLLECTIONS

CLEARPOINT FEDERAL BANK

COLDSPRING

CORDEIRO VAULT CO

CROWNE VAULT/CRESSY MEMORIAL

DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO.

ENSURE-A-SEAL

FLOWERS FOR CEMETERIES

GLOBAL ATLANTIC FINANCIAL

HONOR LIFE

INSPIRED ARTISANS, LTD.

JOHNSON CONSULTING GROUP

KMI COLUMBARIA

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL

MEMORIAL BUSINESS SYSTEMS

OM STONE

OPUSXENTA

PARADISE PICTURES

PEACOCK ENGINEERING

PLOTBOX

STRASSACKER BRONZE

THE DAVIS WHITEHALL CO.

WEBCEMETERIES

WHITED CEMETERY SERVICES

Discover the benefits of the meeting our suppliers face to face!

Be sure to visit each supplier on your “Supplier Face Time Card” located in the back of your name badge neck wallet.

During the designated Face Time segment, you will have 5 minutes with each supplier, and 1 minute to move between booths. This segment is meant to be fun and interactive, allowing you to meet and learn from

some of our industry experts!

Submit your completed card at the end of the Wednesday Face Time Segment in order to be entered to win a prize!