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.

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

          2023 Ambassador Award Winners

2023 Ambassador of the Year
Funeral Service Professional

James H. Busch

Owner and President
Busch Funeral and Crematory Services
Cleveland, OH

Read interview with Jim

2023 Ambassador of the Year
Industry Partner Leader

Dean Lambert

Executive Director
Life Insurers Council
Windsor, CT

Read interview with Dean

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 Honorees

Charles M. Billow

Charles M. Billow

Billow’s Funeral Homes & Crematory, Akron, OH
2022 Ambassador of the Year
Funeral Service Professional

Kevin Czachor

Kevin Czachor

Answering Service
for Directors, Media, PA
2022 Ambassador of the Year
Industry Partner Leader

Boyd Mothe Jr.

Boyd Mothe Jr.

Mothe Funeral Home, LLC
New Orleans, LA
2021 Ambassador of the Year
Funeral Service Professional

Alicia Carr

Alicia Carr

Kelco Supply Company
Big Lake, MN
2021 Ambassador of the Year
Industry Partner Leader