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Meet Your Board Member
A Q&A with ICFA Board Member
Gary L. Brown, CCE, CCCE
Executive Director
Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
www.diocesephoenix.org/cemeteries
Why did you choose to work in the cemetery and funeral service industry?
It was an accident. I had just left employment as an executive administrator for a local Catholic charity and was working as the vice president of corporate development for the United Way when a priest suggested I apply for the position. I thought to myself, "You've got to be kidding." Obviously, they weren't and here I am!
What are some of the best experiences you have had in your career?
There have been numerous benefits and experiences that have made my employment with the cemeteries a rewarding one. However, people and friendships stand out the most. If it wasn't for the information gained from fellow death-care professionals, I know our cemeteries could not
have been able to serve our families and community at the level we do today.
What was the most difficult, and what did you learn from it?
Just as relationships with individuals have been one of the most rewarding aspects of my experiences in the industry, they have also been the most difficult. The inability to satisfy all the people all the time causes frustration. I have learned that if we do the best we can with the circumstances we have, families will feel well served.
What advice would you give to young people just starting out in this industry?
After earning my MBA, I had this longing to work for a position with a large corporation or financial institution where I could show off all my newly refined talents. Little did I know that I would find the answer to my quest in the cemetery industry.
As the executive director of a small independent cemetery, I have been able to do a variety of tasks every day, including working with families, financial, construction planning, etc. The cemetery industry is an excellent career path for those seeking diversity in their professional lives. Unlike many professions, it provides the individual with diverse tasks while enabling them to serve people during their greatest need.
What do you see as the biggest benefits of ICFA membership?
Education, public information and leadership are benefits I've gained from my association with the ICFA. ICFA University is one of the best professional training
programs in any industry.
Why did you wish to serve on the ICFA board?
Over the years, Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Phoenix, its staff and I have greatly benefited from our association with the ICFA and its membership. By serving on the board, I hope I can give back a little of what I have received.
What is the biggest challenge facing the industry, and how can the ICFA address it?
The image of the entire death care industry has been severely tarnished over the past several years, resulting in a significant amount of indifference and disgust among the general public toward our industry.
Recent efforts by the ICFA, as well as many other associations, to communicate our concerns and commitments to correct problems within the industry must continue. Turf battle between cemeteries and mortuaries and associations must be replaced with a cooperative effort to improve services among industry
participants.
What are your outside interests?
I would like to say I am an avid golfer who enjoys a bogey-free round of golf, but I've played in too many ICFA golf outings to make that statement. I am an artist and enjoy creating images that tell a story. This year I will attempt my first sculpture -- now, that could be interesting!
Who are your heroes/role models?
St. Vincent de Paul and Frederic Ozanam, who gave their riches to the poor.
If you could "do lunch" with anyone, living or dead, whom whould you choose and why?
Jesus Christ, Mohammed and Buddha -- three dynamos who have shaped the world we live in.
Copyright ICFA 2002
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