Page B4 april 2024 www.vischerfuneralsupplies.com The Fan Man, Inc. Fans Calendars Urns Register Books Dresses Advertising Specialties John Mannion “WhatEver You Need” 1-800-671-8280 Cell: 803-417-2940 Thefanman@comporium.net bankersadvertising.com/thefanman in the Serenity Storm: Protect and Grow Your Market Share Scan QR code By Ralph Klicker Ralph L. Klicker, Ph.D. is founder and president of Thanos Institute. He has authored the books A Student Dies, A School Mourns...Are You Prepared?, A Walk through Time-A History of Funeral Service and Kolie and the Funeral. He also authored the textbooks 21st Century Funeral Directing & Funeral Service Management; Funeral Service Psychology and Counseling; Ethics in Funeral Service, and Restorative Art & Science. Visit www.thanosinstitute.com. Welcome to this month’s puzzle. I hope it puts a little fun in your busy day. On the left side of the puzzle you will find the clue word or words for the one word correct answer that will be placed in the puzzle itself. The correct puzzle can be found on page B8 Klicker’s Krossword Korner Across 4 Before death 5 Alloy of copper and tin 8 Lightening discoloration 9 Belief held in high esteem 10 Looking for staff 11 Operational expenses 13 Remove liquids and gases Down 1 Legal permission to practice 2 Pricing separately 3 Bronze rolled in sheets 4 Container not casket 6 Above root of nose 7 Supports casket 8 Staphylococcus 9 One who served in the armed forces 12 Human Resources “In his four years as Homesteaders’ executive vice president-chief innovation officer, Nick developed a deep familiarity with our company and products as well as a broad understanding of the end-of-life space. With his unparalleled knowledge of insurance operations, he has the ideal skillset to assume this role,” Shaffer commented. “I look forward to how Nick will move our company forward in his role as COO and help us continue to grow as a leading partner to funeral professionals.” “In my previous role as executive vice president-chief innovation officer, I gained invaluable experience throughout the business. I am excited to continue to grow and lead a great team of colleagues in my new role as COO,” Gerhart said. “Homesteaders is poised for great growth and a bright future, and I am honored to have a part in helping move us forward.” Prior to joining Homesteaders, Gerhart served as chief administrative officer at FBL Financial and Commissioner of the Iowa Insurance Division. A resident of Johnston, IA, Gerhart and his wife, Jessica, have four children. He is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and the Saint Louis University School of Law and is heavily involved in community and philanthropic organizations including ChildServe and Pi515. Homesteaders executive vice president, CFO and treasurer Steve Pick also announced the appointment of Ryan Goins as Homesteaders’ senior vice president of finance and accounting. “We’re excited to have Ryan join our team,” Pick said. “He brings an impressive background of progressive financial leadership within the life insurance sector, positioning him to help drive Homesteaders’ continued growth and the successful execution of our strategy.” As senior vice president of finance and accounting, Goins will play a crucial role in helping shape Homesteaders’ financial direction and overall strategic vision, ensuring the financial well-being of the organization. “I’m excited to utilize my background to enhance the finance functionality at Homesteaders and contribute to executing the strategic vision of the company,” Goins said. “I was drawn to Homesteaders’ strong management team and pany that could produce amazing surface qualities on beautiful paper and board. Instead of trying to be a funeral home products generalist, Ken focused on what he had built. He put together a print finishing business that serves the funeral home stationary industry. Ken realized he should focus on that, alone. Keepsake to Honor Life is Born After a careful review of the competitive landscape, Ken felt the funeral home stationary category was underserved. Most of the stationery category creative or theming had been developed a long time ago when tradition still ruled. Staying with the tradition of great paper and beautiful production, while focusing on new ideas about how to present or market the products was carefully considered. Instead of simply selling commodity cards, register books and other remembrances, new designs based on how real people honor and celebrate the loss of a loved one were developed. These contemporary approaches assist to serve different demographic niches and cultures and to simply put the traditional sentiments in a more current language. Thus, MK Collections was born. Combining the elements of craft printing, fresh designs and a thoughtful retool of the website, including product display and ordering process all equate to make keepsakes to honor life a reality. Ken and his Mooney Keehley family love craft printing and their hands-on approach to stationery. This love and attention to detail can be discerned in every single item and by putting in that little extra, even simple prayer cards and register books have been taken to a keepsake level. For more information, visit mooneykeehley.com. Mooney Keehley – A Branding Story Continued from Page B1 Homesteaders Life Company Names New Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance and Accounting Nick Gerhart Lisa Recker Ryan Goins WEST DES MOINES,IA— Homesteaders Life Company president, CEO and board chair Steve Shaffer announced that Nick Gerhart has been appointed the company’s chief operating officer. In his new role, Gerhart will direct Homesteaders’ longterm strategic growth and innovation. the strategic steps they have taken to position the company for success and strength in the future.” Goins has nearly 25 years of experience in finance, accounting and capital management, with two decades spent in the insurance industry. He is a certified public accountant (inactive) and a fellow of LOMA’s Financial Services Institute. Goins holds a finance degree from Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business. Lisa Reckner Returns as Senior Account Executive Lisa Recker has returned to Homesteaders’ industry-leading team of account executives according to regional director Terri Bordenkirche. Recker will once again serve as a senior account executive for funeral home customers in Ohio. “I am so excited to have Lisa back on the team! Her strengths span many areas of the funeral profession: funeral director, million-dollar preneed producer, trainer and coach,” Bordenkircher said. “Homesteaders and our funeral home customers can rely on Lisa’s support and expertise to help build successful preneed programs.” With nearly 25 years of funeral industry experience, including 12 years as an individual producer, Recker carries knowledge about Homesteaders’ products and processes and the personal experience and success to best support funeral professionals as they serve their client families. Recker said, “I am excited to see all my customers again and catch up! I am eager and committed to helping them grow their preneed programs.” Homesteaders Life Company, a mutual company owned by its policy holders, is providing products and services to help people design a better farewell. Visit homesteaderslife. com to learn more. Printed Keepsakes for the Funeral Home Industry
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