The administration of the Association's affairs are governed by its Board of Directors:
I started at St Peter's Cemetery in March, 1979, as grounds crewman. In 1999, I was asked if I would be interested in being the superintendent, and I graciously accepted. We joined ACM in 2000. My first term as President was from 2012-2014. I am honored to be president for the 2023-2024 years.
Sherry Smith was appointed President and CEO of Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum in March 2017. Sherry has over 17 years’ experience as an advancement professional in higher education and pediatric healthcare in addition to community and volunteer leadership experience. She has managed 300 member volunteer programs and executed more than 500 events locally and nationally. Her early experiences as a small business owner, substitute teacher, and career advisor helped form her business and management skills.“Becoming the President and CEO of a cemetery is not something that crosses one’s mind every day, but when I learned all the ways Bellefontaine serves our community, it truly spoke to my heart. I love the rich history, the beautiful gardens, the commitment to native plantings and green practices, but above all its Bellefontaine’s profound care for our families, past, present and future, that I was most excited to be a part of.”Smith came to Bellefontaine from Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge hospital where she was the Chief Development since 2014. At Ranken Jordan she worked to secure the Hospital's Beyond Campaign for their building expansion. She also held fundraising positions at Washington University, The YMCA of Greater St. Louis and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. While at Washington University, she co-developed, executed and completed the Campaign for the Danforth University Center. At St. Louis Children’s Hospital, she co-developed and coordinated the Care and Cures Campaign, Time to Play Campaign and worked with key leaders in St. Louis to carry out the Development Board Campaign.Sherry holds a bachelor of science degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in Workforce Education and Development.
Eric W. Montegna, is a native of St. Joseph, Missouri. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in political science from Missouri Western State University in 1993 and pursued graduate studies in international relations at the University of Kansas.He began his career in funeral service with Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory in 1989 and became a Missouri licensed funeral director in 1993. He also holds a Kansas funeral directors license.Montegna is currently Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Meierhoffer Funeral Home &Crematory and St. Joseph Memorial Park. The organization encompasses three funeral homes, twocemeteries, two mausoleums, a human crematory and a pet crematory.He is a past secretary/treasurer of MFDEA District #1 and has served as Director of District #1.. He also serves on the Board for Associated Cemeteries of Missouri where he is currently the Immediate Past President.An avid history buff, Montegna has visited and documented the graves of all Presidents of the United States and is currently working on visiting the remaining graves of Vice Presidents. He attended the public ceremonies for Presidents Reagan and Ford.Montegna and his wife, Doris, reside in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Phil has been in Funeral Service since 1998 and has had a variety of experiences in Pre-Arranged and Immediate Need Funeral and Cemetery Services including burial and cremation services as well as Pet Services. In all areas Phil focuses on tailoring the services to meet the families financial and service needs. His favorite part of funeral service is getting to meet so many interesting people and helping them create services that reflect a life well lived. Phil earned two bachelor degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia (Go Tigers!!) and is a licensed Funeral Director in both Ohio and Missouri. Phil is a Certified Funeral Celebrant, a 2018 Graduate of the ICCFA University. He serves as Secretary of the Associated Cemeteries of Missouri.Phil is originally from the St. Louis, Missouri area. He moved to Kansas City in 2014; he is an avid volunteer spending a great deal of time with the Gladstone Rotary Club and the Northland Breakfast Club where he is the self-proclaimed “Joke Master General” He especially enjoys using his skills as an Emcee to enhance any event. When he is not working or volunteering, Phil enjoys reading, running and playing golf.
Kacie Derby is the Cemetery Manager at St. Charles Memorial Gardens. She has worked at Baue & St. Charles Memorial Gardens since 2011 and loves serving families and helping them choose a final resting place for themselves and their loved ones. Her favorite part of the job is helping families to create a one of a kind work of art to memorialize their loved one forever.
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