Holiday Installation Banquet

The Los Angeles County Funeral Directors Association rounded out 2023 with our annual installation of officers and board members. We combined it again with the holiday party, and a holly jolly time was had by all!

Our incoming president for the 2023-2024 term is Isis Huckins, of Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary. The event was held at Rose Hills’ Hua Yuan Reception Center, on December 6th. The night was packed with Middle Eastern flair - courtesy of a belly dancer who got a few of our members to showcase their shoulder shimmies and hip shakes (what good sports everyone was!) - and a delicious Mediterranean dinner, provided by D-Vine Catering.

Jenna Moerk worked the room in her usual boisterous style, selling raffle tickets for our annual 50/50 raffle benefitting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The raffle was won by Alyssa Vasquez of Douglass Family Mortuary. In great support, Douglass Family Mortuary will match the funds raised, and donate double the total to Children’s Hospital.

When it came time for the installation, Fred Nalder, who has served as president of both the CFDA and LACFDA - and who also happens to be the Director of Mortuary Operations for Rose Hills - presided over the induction of board members and this year’s officers.

A special welcome to new incoming board members: Raymundo Perez Plascencia of Rose Hills, and Ashley Menear, of All Souls Cemetery and Mortuary. And of course, a big congratulations to Isis Huckins on her new role as LACFDA President.

In her acceptance speech, Ms. Huckins emphasized the importance of continuing to cultivate relationships with entities such as the Health Department and Coroner’s Office, to better serve our families; as well as the importance of integrity in our work and service. She shared great gratitude for our membership and the support we receive to help keep our association strong and moving forward. Toward the conclusion, immediate past president, Chanell O’Farrill, was presented with an elegant plaque for her tenure as LACFDA president over the last year. We wish Ms. Huckins and the Los Angeles County Funeral Directors Association a successful year ahead.

Here's to a healthy, happy and prosperous 2024, everyone!

From left to right: Sean Douglass, Steve Espolt, Russell Chemerisov, Isis Huckins, Fred Nalder

Officers and Board of Directors

President: Isis Huckins

Vice President: Russell Chemerisov

Secretary: Steve Espolt

Treasurer: Sean Douglass

Immediate Past President: Chanell O’Farrill

Term Ending 2024

Isis Huckins

Eric Rothman

Term Ending 2025

Fred Nalder

Karen Washington

Jenna Moerk

Steve Espolt

Russell Chemerisov

Term Ending 2026

Raymundo Perez Plascencia

Ashley Menear

Chanell O’Farrill