NYSFDA - Key Persons


Allison Matheson

Job Titles:
  • Plan Administrator

Amanda LaPointe

Job Titles:
  • Plan Administrator

Amy Coonan

Job Titles:
  • Senior Preneed Administrator

Amy Lico

Job Titles:
  • Credit

Cherie Tessier

Job Titles:
  • Executive Assistant

Erin Townsend

Job Titles:
  • Plan Administrator

Ivan Antonyuk

Job Titles:
  • Director of Information Technology

John O. D'Arienzo - President

Job Titles:
  • Member of the NYSFDA Officers Team
  • President
John O. D'Arienzo was installed as President during the organization's annual meeting held on August 21, 2023 in Saratoga Springs, NY. John is a licensed funeral director and has the honor of managing the family funeral home - D'Arienzo Funeral Home, Inc. - in Brooklyn, NY. John is a third-generation funeral director and proudly carries on the family tradition of serving the Brooklyn area with compassion and respect since 1934. Their deep roots in the community are a source of pride, as they grow side-by-side with the families they serve. He is a past president of the Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association and has served on the board of the New York State Funeral Directors Association. John and his wife Annette live next door to the funeral home in Brooklyn and are the proud human companions to Miss Maggie May, a 4 year old Biewer terrier.

Kara Grennon

Job Titles:
  • Plan Administrator

Kelly Ann Berger

Job Titles:
  • Receptionist

Kelly Deitz

Job Titles:
  • CAE Senior Director of Association and Tribute

Kim McGuiness

Job Titles:
  • Director of Finance & Administration

Linda Isabel

Job Titles:
  • Directors Choice Credit Union Member Specialist / Financial Associate

Mark J. Nolan

Job Titles:
  • Member of the NYSFDA Officers Team
  • Secretary
Mark J. Nolan, a licensed funeral director and owner of Nolan Funeral Home, Inc. in Northport, NY, was installed as Secretary at the organization's annual meeting held August 21, 2023 in Saratoga Springs. Mark represents the third generation Funeral Director in the Nolan family. He and his wife Nora reside with their children in Northport Village.

Mark Magram

Job Titles:
  • Senior Software Developer

Megan Geroux

Job Titles:
  • Director of Marketing & Communications

Mehgyn Bowen

Job Titles:
  • Graphic Design Specialist

Melissa Sargalis

Job Titles:
  • Director of Preneed Trust Services

Michael A. Lanotte

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director
As NYSFDA's Executive Director, Mike oversees several distinct entities including: President, Funeral Director Support Services, Inc., which administers PrePlan, the Association's master trust; President, Directors Choice Credit Union; and President of the New York State Tribute Foundation, a charitable organization pursuing goals of charity, knowledge and education for both consumers and funeral directors. Mike previously served as Senior Vice President of Association Services at the New York Credit Union Association where he was responsible for compliance, community development, education and training, governance, governmental affairs, member services, the New York Credit Union Foundation, and legal and regulatory affairs. He has also served many roles at NYCUA including associate counsel in 1993 and general counsel in 1997. Mike is the past chairman of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) State Issues Subcommittee and has served on CUNA's Supervisory Issues Working Group. Mike has also served on the American Association of Credit Union League's (AACUL) State Issues Committee and Regulatory Advocacy Committee, as well as on ACCUL's Model Credit Union Act Task Force, where he served as chairman. Prior to joining the Association, Mike received his Juris Doctorate degree from Albany Law School of Union University after graduating cum laude from Union College in Schenectady, NY.

Michael J. Gorton - Treasurer

Job Titles:
  • Member of the NYSFDA Officers Team
  • Treasurer
Michael J. Gorton, Jr., CFSP, a licensed funeral director with McManus-Lorey Funeral Home in Medford, was installed Treasurer at the organization's annual meeting held on August 21, 2023 in Saratoga Springs, NY. He became a licensed funeral director in 1997 and is a graduate of St. John's University (Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service Administration) and American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. In February of 1998 Mike decided to join the family funeral home in Medford and become a director under his aunt and uncle at McManus-Lorey Funeral Home. Mike is a long-time active member in the New York State Funeral Directors Association, a 2018 NYSFDA Leadership Academy graduate, member of the Bridge Commission, and currently is Chair of the NYS Tribute Foundation. He has also served on the Nassau-Suffolk Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors in a number of capacities, including President. Mike lives in Rocky Point, with his wife, Melissa and their son, Gabe. He is involved in his community at home where he served as President of the North Shore Beach Association from 2015-2019. He currently is the treasurer of NSBPOA as well as Cub Master of Cub Scout Pack 6249. In his free time Mike enjoys days at the beach in Rocky Point, cooking BBQ for friends and family, relaxing in his backyard and drinking local craft beer and Long Island wine.

Michelle C. Mora

Job Titles:
  • Member Services Specialist

Randy L. McCullough

Job Titles:
  • CAE Director of Governmental Affairs

Rebecca Dawes

Job Titles:
  • Plan Administrator

Robert J. Hogan

Job Titles:
  • Member of the NYSFDA Officers Team
  • Funeral Director and Manager of Quinn - Fogarty Funeral Home
Robert J. Hogan, a licensed funeral director and manager of Quinn-Fogarty Funeral Home in Flushing, NY, was installed as Past President at the organization's annual meeting held on August 21, 2023 in Saratoga Springs, NY. He is a third-generation funeral director, providing compassionate and caring service to grieving families. He graduated with a degree in mortuary science from SUNY Farmingdale in 1989 and became a licensed funeral director in 1991. He is a past president and current board member of the Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association and has served on the board of both the New York State Funeral Directors Association and the New York State Tribute Foundation. In addition to being dedicated to the funeral profession, Bob maintains an active role in many local church and fraternal organizations. He and his wife, Rita, live in Manhasset. Together they have two children, Rob and Alyssa.

Scott C. Hendrix

Job Titles:
  • Member of the NYSFDA Officers Team
  • President - Elect
  • Funeral Director With Whiter - Hendrix Funeral Home
Scott Hendrix, a licensed funeral director with Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home in Ilion, was installed President-Elect at the organization's annual meeting held on August 21, 2023 in Saratoga Springs, NY. He has been a licensed funeral director for over 30 years and is the manager of the firm. Scott is a graduate of SUNY Canton, and enjoys cooking, golf, traveling and spending time on the boat with his wife Geri. Scott served on the NYSFDA Board for many years, and serves as Secretary/Treasuer on the NYS Tribute Foundation Board. He is also a Lieutenant-EMT-CC with the Ilion Fire Dept. Scott has two daughters, Victoria and Jacquelyn, and a granddaughter Fiona.

Tammy Keenan

Job Titles:
  • Plan Administrator

Vesta Caunitz

Job Titles:
  • Plan Administrator