Chris Christian is the 2025-2026 president-elect of the National Funeral Directors Association on the NFDA Board of Directors.

Chris, who is the co-owner of Christian-Sells Funeral Home in Rogersville, Tennessee, is a first-generation funeral director who began working in the profession at age 15. He has been a dedicated leader in the funeral profession, having served in many roles with the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association, including a term as president.

Chris has also been active with NFDA for many years, having served as the Tennessee representative to the NFDA Policy Board. He has also served a member of the
Budget Task Force, Spokesperson Team, and Audit Task Force.

Business Information
Christian-Sells Funeral Home
520 E. Main St.
Rogersville, TN
Phone: 423-272-0555

Steve Spann is the 2025-2026 Treasurer on the NFDA Board of Directors.

Bobby Steven Spann, CFSP, CCO, has been a funeral director for more than 40 years and currently owns Spann Funeral Home in Dickson, Tennessee, and Humphreys County Funeral Home in Waverly, Tennessee. Spann has served as President of John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science since 1994.

Spann is a dedicated volunteer leader in the funeral service profession. He has served in many leadership roles with the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association (TFDA), including as chair of the Education Committee and Chair of the Alkaline Hydrolysis Sub-Committee. His service to TFDA also included serving on the Board of Directors, culminating with a term as the 2016-17 President.

His national service is equally admirable, having served on the NFDA Convention Education Task Force, Spokesperson Team, Budget Task Force and Audit Task Force. He has also been a member of the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) since 1994 and has served on the Curriculum Review Committee as chair of the National Board Exam Liaison Committee and as chair of the Committee on Accreditation. Spann is a Past President of the University Mortuary Science Education Association and the current Treasurer of the University Mortuary Science Education Association.

Business Information
Spann Funeral Home
1961 Hwy 48 North
Dickson, TN 37055
Phone: 615-347-4955

Christopher Robinson is the 2025-2026 immediate past-president of the National Funeral Directors Association.

Christopher’s roots in funeral service date to a summer job in high school digging graves by hand. After earning a bachelor’s degree in German and European History and a master’s degree in international business from the University of South Carolina, he initially worked in the international banking industry. During this time, Christopher’s father continued to expand the family’s funeral business. With no other siblings working alongside his father, Christopher left the banking industry and returned to his grave-digging roots to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer at his family’s firm.

Christopher has been a dedicated member of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, serving in the state officer positions. His service to his state association culminated with a term as president.
A devoted member of NFDA, Christopher has represented the state of South Carolina on the Policy Board. Prior to serving as Secretary of NFDA, from 2018-2021, Chris served as an at-large representative, secretary, and treasurer on the Board of Directors.

Chris has also served as a member of the Convention Education Task Force, Spokesperson Team, Headquarters Operations Committee, Audit Task Force, Advocacy Committee and the Associate Membership Committee.

Business Information
Robinson Funeral Home
PO Box 387
Easley, SC 29641
Phone: 864-859-4001

Ellen Wynn McBrayer is the 2025-2026 Secretary on the NFDA Board of Directors.

McBrayer is a third-generation funeral director at her family’s firm, Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes & Crematory, with locations in Villa Rica and Douglasville, Georgia. Her father died suddenly while she was attending Auburn University and that pivotal moment was what called her to become a funeral director.

Service to her profession and community are an integral parts of McBrayer’s life. She has served as co-chair and chair of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association (GFDA) Northwest District. She is also a current member of the Georgia Cemetery Association Board of Directors. She has also given back to her alma mater, Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, by serving as a member of the Advisory Board and Open House Team.

Nationally, McBrayer has served on the Convention Education Task Force, Audit Task Force, Budget Task Force, NFDA Spokesperson Team and Pursuit of Excellence Task Force. She is also serving as a liaison from NFDA to the American Board of Funeral Service Education.

Business Information:
Jones-Wynn Funeral Home & Crematory
2189 Midway Rd
Douglasville, GA
Phone: 770-942-2311

Carlton Maye is a 2024-2026 at-large representative on the NFDA Board of Directors. 

Carlton Maye is a pragmatic leader in the funeral service industry with an extensive background in banking and contracting. He is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner, Certified Crematory Operator and is a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director in the states of Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama. Carlton is the General Partner with Serenity Funeral Home and Cremation of Dublin, Georgia. He is currently employed with the United States Department of Defense as a Civilian Contract Specialist and is an Instructional Support Coordinator at Central Georgia Technical College for the Warner Robins Georgia Campus. Carlton has proven experience in sales, management, human resources and marketing. His educational background includes an Associate degree in Mortuary Science; a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, as well as a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He understands the value and power of education in one’s profession. Carlton embraces being a lifelong learner as well as sharing his knowledge to teach and enhance the well-being of others. As such, he is a Distance Learning Adjunct Faculty Member at Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service and serves on the Advisory Board Committee. Carlton maintains an active involvement in various professional associations to include the International Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association, Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia, Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association, National Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. He unselfishly volunteers his time to contribute to achieving each of these associations’ missions and goals. Carlton holds the positions of 6th District Chairman and the Education and Research Director for the Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association. He was elected as 2024-2026 at large representative to serve on the NFDA Board of Directors. Carlton is a current participant in the Leadership Robins Class of 2024 with the Robins Regional Chamber. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. through the Pi Iota Lamda chapter of Tifton, Georgia. Service is one of Carlton’s main purposes in life and he leads by the guiding principle, if he can help somebody as he travels along his living shall not be in vain. 

Business Information:
Serenity Funeral Home – Dublin
414 Telfair St
Dublin GA, 31021
Phone: 478-272-2610

Ladd Pulliam is a 2024-2026 at-large representative on the NFDA Board of Directors. 

For the last twenty-four years, I have had the honor of being a small town funeral director serving my friends and neighbors in their time of need. I, like many of you, have always thought of this profession more as a calling than a job, and I have always made it my goal to serve every family to the very best of my ability. I have carried this same desire for service with me through my years of service on the board of directors of the Mississippi Funeral Directors Association, and look forward to continuing that service as an At-Large member of the NFDA Board of Directors. We all want to see our association grow and continue as the standard of excellence in funeral service, and with strong leaders, we can make that happen together.

Business Information:
Jones and Son Funeral Home
P.O. Box 449
Richton, MS 39476
Phone: 601-788-6000

Carlos D. Black brings more than 30 years of experience in funeral service, having advanced from funeral attendant to general manager. He currently serves as General Manager of Small’s Mortuary Inc., which has multiple locations in Mobile, Alabama. A licensed funeral director in both Alabama and Texas, Black is known for his operations management skills, commitment to professional development and passion for community engagement.

In addition to his funeral service credentials, Black is an ordained minister serving at Beth Eden Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, a role that complements his compassionate leadership style and dedication to ethical service. Throughout his career, he has championed excellence in operations, mentorship of emerging professionals and advocacy on behalf of the profession.

Business Information:
Small’s Mortuary Inc
950 S Broad St.
Mobile, AL 36603
Phone: 817-319-2973

Christopher Costello is a licensed funeral director with Mothe Funeral Homes in New Orleans, Louisiana. A fourth-career funeral director, Costello’s professional journey has included roles as a chemist, educator, business leader and consultant. This diverse background gives him a distinctive perspective on innovation, problem-solving and public service in funeral care.

Costello’s commitment to service is evident in both his professional and volunteer work. Costello was a member of the 2024-25 class of the NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program and is currently serving on the NFDA Convention Education Task Force. Over the years, he has held positions ranging from volunteer to board officer across a variety of community and professional organizations. With 30 years in New Orleans, he is deeply connected to his local community and the families he serves.

Business Information:
Mothe Funeral Homes Inc
1300 Vallette St
New Orleans, LA 70114
Phone: 504-710-8789