Selected Independent Funeral Homes Adds WHB’s COO to Board

WACO — Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, Inc. (WHB), today announced its chief operating officer, Josh Blake, will be installed as a new Board Member of the prestigious Selected Independent Funeral Homes International Association (Selected).

Josh Blake, who will represent Group 5, has a strong connection to Selected and is actively involved in Selected programs. In April 2018 he graduated from Selected’s Leadership Academy and was Co-Chair of the 2018 NextGen Advisory Group. Josh has been a regular participant at Selected’s Spring Management Summit, Annual Meetings and NextGen. 

He is passionate about Selected’s NextGen community. “I see the potential growth in the NextGen group and the resources that are being offered to us. I would like to help grow and develop NextGen into a more encompassing resource that attracts, fosters, and retains young talent,” said Mr. Blake.

He also serves on the board of directors for the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, member of the HR Committee for University Baptist Church (UBC), and will soon graduate from the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Waco program.

I would not be where I am in my career without Selected, and I’m honored to be the first in our firm to serve on the Board,” said Josh. “WHB and I have benefited immensely from the relationships cultivated through the association over the past 67 years of our membership. As a young leader, I am looking forward to having a seat at the table and being a voice for the next generation.”

Mr. Blake is a Central Texas native. He moved to Waco from Mexia when he was five years old. He graduated from Waco High in the top five percent of his class. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Baylor University. 

Mr. Blake will be installed to the Selected Board at the Annual Meeting in Nashville in September.

About Selected Independent Funeral Homes

Selected Independent Funeral Homes delivers innovative and pertinent resources, solutions and ongoing support necessary for enduring excellence to its international network of independently owned death-care providers who aspire to be the very best in their profession. Members of Selected operate according to specific standards and best practices in order to provide the public with reliable, high-quality funeral services and funeral-related information. Visit the website to learn more.