MARTIN HOPP, President

Martin, along with his wife Bev, began Pets in Peace in 1999 after having worked in the human funeral industry for many years prior. As a former area manager for Service Corporation International (SCI), Martin managed thirteen funeral homes in and around Brisbane, Australia.  

Avid pet lovers, Martin and Bev, used their extensive experience and knowledge of the human funeral industry, to create one of Australia's finest funeral homes for pets.  Today, Pets in Peace is a part of the InvoCare family of pet aftercare services with more than 10 facilities located across Australia. 

Pets in Peace joined the IAOPCC in 2004 to continue the excellent standard of pet aftercare services including achieving Australia's first IAOPCC Accreditation. 

Martin's term ends 2025

DEBRA BJORLING, Treasurer, Past President

Debra Bjorling and her family established Pet Meadow, Cemetery and Crematory in 1998 on the grounds of an old, abandoned pet cemetery where there is a WWI and a WWII dog buried.  Pet Meadow has grown to three facilities serving the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania region.

Debra grew up in central New Jersey, attended college in San Diego, California.   Debra has been a member of the IAOPCC and served on its Board of Directors for many years. She is a past President and currently serves as Treasurer.  She is a frequent speaker at veterinary conferences.

Debra was instrumental in developing the IAOPCC's Pet Bereavement Specialist Program.  “We wouldn’t be where we are today without the guidance and friendships made at the IAOPCC”

Debra's term ends 2024.

ROBERT ERDMAN, Vice President

Robert Erdman has spent his life in the deathcare and pet aftercare profession. In 1985, he along with his family, founded Precious Pet Memorial Gardens in Spencer, Oklahoma.  Today, Precious Pets Memorial Gardens is considered Oklahoma's premier pet cemeteries and pet aftercare facilities.

Robert owns and operates Hillcrest Memories, a family-owned human funeral home and cemetery in Oklahoma. 

As a Board of Director serving for many years, his vast experience was  instrumental in the development of the IAOPCC's Registered Pet Funeral Director. Robert also serves as the Chairperson for the Aquamation Accreditation Standards.

Robert's term ends 2026.

KEITH D. SHUGART, Secretary, Co-Chairman of Ethics and Standards Committee

Keith Shugart is part of the Shugart Family operations of Pet Angel Memorial Centers in Atlanta, Georgia.  The Shugart Family has been in the pet aftercare industry for over 53 years.  Pet Angel Memorial Centers operates four office locations and two pet cemeteries specializing in pet and equine cremations. Considered one of the nation's premier pet funeral homes, Pet Angel Memorial Center in Atlanta features three counseling rooms, two chapels, and the largest showroom in the nation offering more than 450 memorial products. Offering Same Day Services, Viewings and Visitations, along with superior client care, Pet Angel Memorial Centers has led the way in establishing standards for excellence in pet aftercare.

Keith served as one of the five original Standards Committee Members credited with the development of the IAOPCC's Accreditation Program, an historical first and the industry's only Accreditation Program for pet aftercare operations.

As a long-standing Board Member, Keith was instrumental in the development of the IAOPCC's Registered Pet Funeral Director Program.

Keith serves as the Chairperson of the IAOPCC's Standards & Ethics Committee, committed to the education of and continuous improvement of pet aftercare facilities worldwide.  

Keith's term ends 2025.

STEVE WOODS, Director, Co-Chairman of Ethics and Standards Committee

Steve Woods is the former owner and operator of A Beloved Friend's Pet Crematory of Northern Nevada in Reno, Nevada. 

Steve has been a member of the IAOPCC since 2008 and is one of the original five Standards Committee Members credited with the development of the IAOPCC's Accreditation, an historical first and the industry's only Accreditation Program.

Prior to owning his pet aftercare business, Steve, served as Deputy/Chief Deputy Coroner for over 31 years in Nevada and Colorado. 

 Today, Steve serves on the Board as an Emeritus member as his long time dedication to the pet care industry is legendary. His contribution to the pet aftercare industry continues today as he serves on the Standards and Ethics Committee as Co-Chair.

In 2022, the IAOPCC was honored to award Steve Woods the Pat Blosser Founders Award for Excellence, a direct reflection of his tremendous contribution to the pet aftercare industry.

Courtney de Craen, Director

Courtney's term ends 2028.

NANCY BATES, Director and Supplier Liaison 

Nancy, along with her husband Dan, started At Home on the Range Pet Cemetery in 2001 with their first burial of a horse named “Moose”.  Business continued to grow from providing only burials to adding their first crematory in 2003. The growth of the business has steadily increased over the years to the point of which they are now an Accredited Facility with multiple Cremation Units and Burial options.

Nancy wears many “hats” in their business. Marketing, bookkeeping, supply management, driver, crematory operator are just a few of her daily jobs over the past 20 years. Besides the Pet Aftercare business, they also Farm about 3,000 acres with their boys David and Ethan. Nancy has worked for Veterinary Clinics since her early 30’s and galloped Thoroughbred Race Horses in her 20’s. She has also showed Hunter/Jumpers as a teenager. Nancy has been on previous Boards and School Parent Groups over the years.  Most recently, the Bozeman Curling Club. “We have been members of IAOPCC since 2001 and this organization really helped us grow our business.”

Nancy's term ends 2025.

ROBERT BLOSSER, Director

As a third-generation family dedicated to pet aftercare, the Blosser Family was been instrumental in the development of the pet aftercare industry.  Robert's grandmother, Patricia Blosser, founded the IAOPCC in Chicago in 1971. She worked tirelessly to the betterment of the industry until her death.  As the General Manager of Midwest Cremation Service of Wisconsin (MCS), Robert has spent more than 28 years specializing in pet and equine cremations.

MCS was founded in 1980 by Robert's dad, Bob Blosser. And in 1991, Robert's parents opened MCS of Wisconsin in Poynette, WI where Robert grew up and is now raising his own family.

In 1995, MCS opened a second location, MCS of Minnesota in Anoka, MN.  Growing up, Robert always thought he would like to be a Veterinarian, but when he saw how rewarding it was to help people who just lost their best friend, he began working in the family business early on.

In addition to pet aftercare, Robert is an accomplished Pro Angler having won the 2013 Lucas Oil Angler of the Year title.   When not working Robert enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, and two dogs, When he's not with his family you can always find him on a lake somewhere fishing.

Robert's term ends 2025.

LARISSA PASILLAS, International Director,  Mexico

More than 17 years ago, Larissa Pasillas, along with her Dad, Oscar Pasillas, began the first pet cemetery and crematorium in Chihuahua, Mexico. Senda a la Eternidad, Pet Cemetery and Crematory, has served pet families who looked for a special place for their beloved ones since 2006.

As the industry leader in Chihuahua, they are the largest provider for the veterinary clinics as well as individual families. Offering burial and private cremations, and knowing that something else was needed, Larissa started a monthly pet loss grief group, that has been so helpful for pet parents who suffered a recent lost.

According to Larissa, being a part of the IAOPCC since 2008 has helped her business tremendously thanks to invaluable sharing through membership and attendance at our Conferences, including speakers of the industry all these 15 years.

Larissa has also completed our industry certifications as Pet Bereavement Specialist, Registered Pet Funeral Director, and Pet Crematory Operator. In addition, Larissa is heavily involved with the state government looking forward for a responsible pet culture, and supporting animal shelters in the city. Senda a la Eternidad has seen much growth over the past 15 years and is currently operated by Larissa and her family, employing a staff of 6 persons.

Larissa and her husband Victor, have two grown children, Eduardo and Laraelisa, who both are currently studying at the State Medical University. Larissa enjoys being with her family and friends, traveling all together as much as possible, and enjoying football games! She has an extraordinary bond with all her pets, that she has adopted, rescued, and inherited.

Larissa's term ends 2027.

ANTOINE SENECAUT, International Director, Europe 

Antoine is no stranger to the Pet Aftercare Industry. Antoine launched and managed Incineris, a pet cremation company in France, which went on to become Veternity,

For more than 22 years, Antoine oversaw the operations covering France, Germany and Poland. Veternity went on to become the leader in animal cremation in France. This experience has provided Antoine important knowledge in this growing and dynamic sector. Antoine has also held the position of commercial and development director with Alcyon for 5 years, a leading European distributor of medicine and veterinary products.

In 2022, through his vast experience surrounding the challenges of caring for pets at the end of life, Antoine developed Anima Care, which provides an array of new animal funeral services. Anima Care supports veterinary clinics in structuring their end-of-life activities through various cremation options, while also providing grief training, services and consumables for families and veterinarians.

Antione's term ends 2027.

DONNA SHUGART-BETHUNE, Executive Director

Donna Shugart-Bethune is a part of the Shugart Family operations of Pet Angel Memorial Centers in Atlanta, Georgia. The Shugart Family has been in the pet aftercare industry for more than 53 years.  Pet Angel Memorial Centers operates four office locations and two pet cemeteries specializing in pet and equine cremations. Considered one of the nation's premier pet funeral homes, Pet Angel Memorial Center in Atlanta features three counseling rooms, two chapels, and the largest showroom in the nation offering more than 450 memorial products. Offering Same Day Services, Viewings and Visitations, along with superior client care, Pet Angel Memorial Centers has led the way in establishing excellence in pet aftercare.

Donna, who grew up in the Shugart family business, has more than 36 years of experience in the pet aftercare industry. She has served as the Executive Director for the IAOPCC for more than 14 years.

Donna played a crucial role in developing the IAOPCC's online certification programs, which are available today. She also introduced Digital Badging Certification Programs for IAOPCC Members and implemented the Accreditation Mobile App Program, providing worldwide access to Accreditation.