Meet the Team

Senior Management

, CEO

Hal is the founder of The Essential Planning Group. Operations began in March of 1993. Hal's background in master trusts goes back over a 20-year period. He is one of the original pioneers in developing master trust programs for both the funeral and cemetery industries. He has extensive experience in developing administrative and investment guidelines for the various states in which we operate. His management expertise, coupled with his hands-on philosophy has helped our company to become a nationally recognized Master Trust Program.

, Vice President/CFO

Craig joins us with a wealth of corporate management and financial experience after more than 20 years in the finance division of the Chrysler Corporation. Craig’s knowledge and expertise in accounting, business analysis and management will serve to not only enhance our current corporate structure, but more importantly to provide the best possible service to our funeral and cemetery clients.

, Director of Operations

Krista has been with us since 1998. She was instrumental in the development of the Trust Administrative Services (TAS) Department. Her expertise in creating and implementing procedures helped to build the TAS department into an industry recognized leader in all trust services. Krista acts as liaison between state regulators and funeral homes and cemeteries. She is the acknowledged subject matter expert for the trust program and is relied extensively upon for technical substantive advice on the proper interpretation and application of the various state regulations, codes and statutes.

, Computer Services Manager

Steve began his employment with us as a consultant providing professional services from 1998 until 2001 where he became employed as the Computer Services Manager. Steve has over 25 years experience in database design and management for financial record keeping as well as experience with investments and performance analysis. His responsibilities include ongoing database maintenance as well as designing and programming system enhancements. Steve also monitors the trust investments to track performance and compliance with investment guidelines.

, Compliance Manager

As Compliance Manager, Chad is responsible for locating and reviewing state regulations, then interpreting them and communicating with state regulators when clarification is necessary in order to comply with state requirements. He is also responsible for developing state-specific agreements and contracts and updating them based upon legislative changes. Chad’s professional experiences include serving in the military, teaching at an alternative high school, and working at a law firm. His educational degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Literature, Master of Arts in Teaching, and Paralegal certification.

, Administrative Assistant-Marketing

Lori is the Administrative Assistant to our Corporate Development Team. She comes to us with over 8 years of customer service and administrative/ executive support. Her role is to interface with all client-funeral homes and cemeteries and she is instrumental in establishing new firm relationships firm packets, marketing materials, press releases and advertising. Lori also helps assist the Corporate Development Team with travel, meetings and conventions. Additionally, Lori supports our Regional Marketing Representatives throughout the country.

, Accounting

Kathy is our corporate accountant and comes to the company with over 20 years of accounting and bookkeeping experience. Her day to day functions include accounts receivable and payable as well as administrative assistance to the CEO and CFO of the company.

, Financial Administrator

Gayle is our Financial Administrator and works primarily with our Computer Services Manager assisting in special projects and the reconciliation of new accounts. Prior to joining the company Gayle spent 10 years in the financial industry managing client accounts and approximately 10 years working in the insurance industry primarily in the accounting and claims departments.

, Senior Account Manager

Penny has extensive experience in the financial services industry with over 10 years in the Trust department of Wells Fargo Bank as an Assistant Vice President and Trust Officer. Penny has in-depth knowledge and experience in the management and maintenance of accounts through review and interpretation of trust documents and compliance issues. Penny is a dedicated, detail-oriented team player with excellent communication and customer relation skills.

, Accounting Administrator

Robi is the Accounting Administrator and is directly responsible for reconciling and maintaining the trust accounts and checking accounts as well as dealing with any banking issues associated with those accounts including daily deposits and electronic banking processes. Her accounting experience and knowledge of the banking industry has brought a new perspective and energy to our company. We look forward to her increasing contributions to the growth of this organization.

,Trust Administrative Services Representative

Sichanda began working for us in 2003. Over the years she has taken the initiative to train on all aspects of trust administrative duties which has allowed her to grow within the company. Sichanda's main duty is to administer and reconcile the Trust Claims and Cancellation process for our California business and be one of the first line of contact for our clients. She maintains inventory control for one of our largest clients and assists in the generation and distribution of management reports. Sichanda is extremely accurate and pays strict attention to details which makes her perfect for this position. Since Sichanda has many years of knowledge and excellent customer service with our company, our clients have become familiar with her and her cheerful professionalism. We feel fortunate to have such a diversely trained team-player on our staff.

, Trust Administrative Services Representative

Martha's main responsibility as a Trust Administrative Services Representative is to be the first line of contact with all of our Funeral establishments in the state of California. Martha comes to us with extensive experience in customer service. She is fluent in Spanish and is able to use this ability to converse with our many non-English speaking customers which provides a comfort to them and relief to many of our firms knowing that we have staff available to meet all the needs of their clients. Martha's background includes working as a community outreach and advocacy representative with various State agencies which has helped develop her wonderful compassionate nature. Martha's accounting background enables her to provide excellent balancing skills in dealing with the complexities of the various trust duties.

, Trust Administrative Services Representative

Dannielle is our newest member of the team. She brings with her an extensive background in customer service and administrative skills. Dannielle's primary responsibilities are daily data entry of new consumer contracts, as well as maintenance of existing contracts, processing of death claims and cancellations, and providing overall customer service to our clients. It is Dannielle’s excellent attention to detail and organizational skills as well as her positive "can do" attitude that make her a great addition to our team.

, Northeastern Regional Representative

Brian, a native of Brooklyn, NY and a fourth generation licensed funeral director, has an outstanding background in death care and finance. Brian received his BA in Business Administration / Accounting from Wagner College, Staten Island, New York, an MBA in Business Finance from St. John's University and his funeral service education at the American Academy McAllister Institute in New York.

Brian resides in Rexford (Albany), New York where he has served on the Board of Directors for Funeral Director Support Services-Pre-Plan Master Trust operated by the New York State Funeral Directors Association as well a board member for numerous other boards and associations in New York.

Photo to come... 

, New England Representative

Cheryl has been providing financial services to independent New England funeral directors for over 13 years. Cheryl resides in Southern New Hampshire and has for many years served small/mid-sized businesses throughout New England. As a registered independent business advisor, Cheryl has an extensive background in investments and financial services and manages her own independent business advisory service.