Lauded Sixth Generation Owner Takes Home Award Geared Toward Young Professionals
DEERFIELD, ILL. — January 27, 2011 — Selected Independent Funeral Homes has named Michael S. Schoedinger of Upper Arlington, Ohio, the 2011 recipient of its prestigious NextGen Professional of the Year Award during the opening night reception of the group’s annual seminar, held this week at the Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa in Grand Cayman.
The award carries with it, in addition to recognition in front of the recipient’s peers, a $500 cash prize and a physical award. The award is designed to specifically spotlight career achievements, community and organization involvement and the achievements of funeral professionals under the age of 50.
Selected Independent Funeral Homes created the NextGen group (formerly known as Under-Forty) to encourage professionals who are in the earlier stages of their career and to recognize their achievements and unique needs in a special way. The group meets annually at a four-day seminar filled with educational and networking opportunities.
According to the letters of support submitted with the nomination, the bar has been set high with the award’s first recipient.
Schoedinger is currently President of Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Services in Columbus, Ohio, where he serves as a licensed funeral director and embalmer and also heads up the company’s public relations, advertising and marketing initiatives and is heavily involved in community relations.
“For six generations, the Schoedinger family has tried to serve others with compassion and excellence. This award is an affirmation that we are doing good things,” said Schoedinger.
Among his many achievements, Schoedinger was winner of the Business First 40 Under 40 Award and the United Way Young Philanthropist Award. He currently serves on the boards of the Young Presidents Organization, Junior Achievement (past president), American Red Cross (past president), First Community Church, Senior Independence and the Family Business Center of Central Ohio. Schoedinger resides in Upper Arlington with his wife, Lisa, and their two children.
“I am honored to receive this award in its inaugural year,” said Schoedinger. “There are so many people within the NextGen group who are worthy, and being a member of Selected in and of itself means that I’m surrounded by the finest people in the funeral industry.”
The NextGen Professional of the Year Award is one of several programs of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, a worldwide professional association of independent, locally-owned funeral homes founded in 1917. In order to be eligible for the award, applicants must be an active employee of a Selected member firm (domestic or international) and under the age of 50 by the annual deadline. By creating the program, Selected hopes to promote and motivate the next generation of professionals engaged in the funeral industry.
“We are so excited that Michael is the very first recipient of the NextGen Professional of the Year Award,” said Robert J. Paterkiewicz, Executive Director of Selected Independent Funeral Homes. “He has accomplished so much already in his career that I have no doubt he will be an inspiration to all those who follow in his footsteps.”
In addition to the networking and educational opportunities available at its annual seminar, NextGen members also engage in an active Facebook group and an electronic discussion group, both available to NextGen members exclusively. More information on Selected Independent Funeral Homes and NextGen can be found on its all-new website at www.selectedfuneralhomes.org.
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Editor’s Note: Photo of Michael Schoedinger available upon request. Please contact Lisa Gunggoll at lgunggoll@lg-pr.com.
About Selected Independent Funeral Homes
Founded in 1917 as National Selected Morticians, Selected Independent Funeral Homes (www.selectedfuneralhomes.org) is the world’s oldest and largest association of independently owned funeral homes. Members of the association are expected to operate according to specific standards and best practices in order to provide the public with reliable, high-quality funeral services and funeral-related information.