Featured Speakers

Gary M. Freytag Gary Freytag
Past ICCFA president, President Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, OH

“Modern Cemetery Development”

Customer needs continue to evolve, and cemeteries must adapt their product offerings to meet these preferences. This is particularly true for today’s cremation customers.  Cemeteries must also balance aesthetics with density and revenue generation. Gary Freytag has traveled extensively through North America to see the most effective design concepts in a variety of markets. He will share Spring Grove’s long-term approach to cemetery development and how its approach has evolved to embrace several common principles that appeal to the needs of the cremation customer.

Gary M. Freytag, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, joined the organization in 2003.  Mr. Freytag holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Dartmouth and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard.

He joined the Spring Grove Family after previously serving as President of Information Alternatives, a Cincinnati based technology consulting company.  Prior to that, Mr. Freytag served as Treasurer of Eagle-Picher, a diversified manufacturing company with nearly one billion dollars in worldwide revenue. His other business experience includes manufacturing, management consulting, and venture capital.

Mr. Freytag is active nationally in the death care profession.  He speaks regularly at national and regional conventions.  He became President of the International Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) in May of 2021.  He is also Dean of the Leadership College at ICCFA University.

James E. Altmeyer, Jr.
President, Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory

"Funeral Home & Cemetery Relations"

This presentation will dive into the relationship between Cemeterians and Funeral Professionals within the community.  We will address issues concerning cemetery pricing and how it relates to delivering an exceptional product to the community.

Educating the funeral professionals helps build these relationships.  Many funeral directors do not appreciate the costs associated with providing an excellent memorial park or cemetery.   Through this educational process, funeral directors may understand that their success highly depends on permanent memorialization.  With this understanding, both the funeral director and the Cemeterian will mutually succeed.

 James E. Altmeyer, Jr., President of Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory, graduated from Villanova University in Philadelphia, PA, in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He earned an Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1989. He is a fourth-generation funeral director, and founder of Treasured Memories, a trusted resource for independent funeral homes providing supplier benefits and consulting services to over 200 funeral homes across the U.S. since 1988.  Jimmy and his wife, Jocelyn C. Altmeyer, have three children: two sons, Simon Cameron and James Elijah, and a daughter, Justine Virginia.

Dr. Jason Troyer
Healing Path for Cemeteries

"Why They'll Tell Their Friends: The Secret to Cemetery Referrals"

Traditional marketing isn’t enough for cemeteries to reach today’s families. In this presentation, Dr. Jason Troyer, a grief psychologist and cemetery consultant, explores the major cultural shifts that have made it harder for cemeteries to connect with their communities. You will also learn why word-of-mouth referrals remain the most powerful and affordable form of marketing, and how to earn them by creating experiences worth talking about. Attendees will leave with practical examples and the “4 R’s of Remarkable” framework to transform ordinary interactions into memorable, shareable moments that drive trust, loyalty, and sales.

"Selling More Than Space: Promoting the Psychological Value of Permanent Placement"

Families aren’t just choosing a plot of land – they’re choosing an anchor for their grief, a safe space for ritual, and a legacy for generations to come. In this session, Dr. Jason Troyer draws on grief psychology to explain why permanent placement in cemeteries provides healing to bereaved families. This program will equip cemetery & sales professionals with compelling language and insights to show families that they are truly selling more than space – they are providing a pathway to healing.

Jason Troyer, PhD is a grief and ritual expert and the co-founder of the Healing Path Cemetery System. He helps cemeteries and funeral homes promote the value of permanent placement, offer meaningful grief support, and generate new leads through innovative engagement strategies. Dr. Troyer has partnered with hundreds of funeral & cemetery professionals across North America, bringing a unique blend of psychological insight and practical tools. He holds a doctorate in counseling psychology and previously worked as a professor and therapist. Jason lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with his wife and three daughters.

Josiah (Joe) Everly
Consultant, Service Corporation International (SCI), Past-President, Southern Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Directors Association

“Using Artificial Intelligence in the Funeral Industry”

Artificial intelligence is transforming every professional services industry, and deathcare is no exception. In this session, Joe Everly draws on decades of operational leadership at SCI to provide a clear-eyed, practitioner-focused assessment of where AI is already making an impact, where the greatest opportunities lie, and where the industry must proceed with caution.

Joe Everly is a dynamic leader with expertise in strategic planning, team development, and operational efficiency. Working in the funeral industry since 1980, he has a proven track record in driving cross-functional initiatives and enhancing service quality resulting in significant growth and client satisfaction. Currently serving as a Consultant for Service Corporation International (SCI) in Houston, TX, Mr. Everly works with analyzing client needs to develop tailored solutions for diverse service offerings and collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve community outreach and build brand awareness. He’s also active in conducting community-based seminars focusing on planning ahead and changing consumer preferences.

Nancy L. Grden
President & CEO, Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable
GO VA Region 5 Council – Support Organization

"Welcome to Virginia Beach, Virginia – In the Heart of Hampton Roads!"

Virginia Beach is the largest city in a unique region of Virginia – Hampton Roads ! Its unique mix of maritime, defense, and tourism industries combine with natural beauty, VA250 historic relevance, and prime geographic location for growth and development. Learn more about known – and not-so-known ! - assets and opportunities here in this one-of-a-kind region.

Nancy L. Grden is President & CEO for the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable, providing strategic leadership to expand the region’s economy, create more and higher paying jobs, and leverage entrepreneurship and innovation. The Roundtable is also the management organization for Region 5 of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s innovative GO Virginia Program for economic development. The Roundtable is currently pursuing initiatives for growing industry clusters related to maritime, advanced air mobility/uncrewed systems, cybersecurity, data analytics and energy independence.

She formerly served as Associate Vice President for Old Dominion University’s Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE), leading initiatives for the campus and community seeking economic development, entrepreneurship, and innovation resources and partnerships. She led two major economic development initiatives to advance the maritime innovation ecosystem in Hampton Roads, serving as inaugural Executive Director for the Hampton Roads Maritime Collaborative for Growth & Innovation (HRMC), and as co-convener for the ODU Maritime Initiative Leadership Group, which launched ODU’s Maritime Initiative and School of Supply Chain, Logistics, and Maritime Operations.