Ambassador
of the Year Awards Program

Ambassador of the Year Awards Program

Established in 2021, the Ambassador of the Year Awards Program honors individuals for their outstanding contributions to the mission and vision of the Selected Educational Trust, their personal and significant contributions to the independent funeral service profession, and their commitment to provide lifelong learning opportunities for all who work within and for this time-honored profession. Each year, two individuals, a Funeral Service Professional and an Industry Partner Leader, are selected by the Board of Trustees to receive this distinguished award. The recipients are honored during a ceremony held at Selected’s Annual Meeting.

Nominate yourself or a colleague for this prestigious honor.

The Trust thanks Physicians Mutual, sponsor of the Ambassador of the Year Awards Program since its inception in 2021.

2026 Ambassador
of the Year Award Winners

2026 Ambassador of the Year Winner

Funeral Service Professional

John Wild

Iles Funeral Homes, Inc.-Dunn's Funeral Home and Crematory
Des Moines, IA


2026 Ambassador of the Year Winner

Industry Partner Leader

Jake Johnson

Johnson Consulting
Scottsdale, AZ

Be an Ambassador Envoy

Be an Ambassador Envoy

Show your support of this year’s Ambassador of the Year Award recipients by making a gift to the Trust in their honor. Recommended minimum amount: $500.00.

  • Recognition in the Trust Reception onsite program
  • Recognition in a congratulatory letter addressed to each honoree (optional: include a note with your contribution to be shared with the honorees)
  • Recognition in all Trust publications
  • Recognition on the Trust website
  • Recognition on the Trust’s Honor Roll of Donors

Past Ambassador of the Year Honorees

Past Ambassador of the Year Honorees

Paul St. Pierre

St. Pierre Family Funeral and Cremation Services

2025
Funeral Service Professional

Lisa Baue

Funeral Women Lead

2025
Funeral Service Professional

Robert Nunnaley

Fry and Prickett
Funeral Home

2024
Funeral Service Professional

Tim Bridgers

Global Atlantic
Financial Company

2024
Industry Partner
Leader

James H. Busch

Busch Funeral and Crematory Services

2023
Funeral Service Professional

Dean Lambert

Life Insurers Council

2023
Industry Partner
Leader

Charles M. Billow

Billow's Funeral Homes & Crematory

2022
Funeral Service Professional

Kevin Czachor

Answering Service for Directors

2022
Industry Partner
Leader

Boyd Mothe Jr.

Mothe Funeral Home, LLC

2021
Funeral Service Professional

Alicia Carr

Kelco Supply Company

2021
Industry Partner
Leader