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Meet the PFDA Staff

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PFDA Staff Directory

John W. Eirkson, CAE
Executive Director
800-692-6068 (toll free)
717-545-7215 (office)
john@pfda.org

John is the Executive Director and the overall manager of PFDA and UniChoice. He is a registered lobbyist and leader in state and national issues concerning funeral directors. He develops new programs, services and products for both companies. He presents continuing education seminars to the membership and hosts the annual fall district meetings throughout the Commonwealth.
Years of Service: 28

Kathleen K. Ryan, Esquire
General Counsel & Chief Operating Officer
800-692-6068 (toll free)
717-545-7215 (office)
717-554-6393 (cell)
kathy@pfda.org

Kathleen K. Ryan, Esquire, is General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer for PFDA and Unichoice Cooperative Inc. Prior to joining PFDA, Ms. Ryan served as a senior prosecutor for the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, prosecuting for the State Board of Medicine and the State Board of Funeral Directors and other Boards as needed.

She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Williamsport Area Community College and
Magna Cum Laude from Bloomsburg University with majors in Political Science and Biology. Kathy clerked for the Honorable Clinton W. Smith, Court of Common Pleas, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, prior to going to law school

She is a 1992 graduate of Widener School of Law, Harrisburg Campus and did internships with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office and the U. S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. In addition, Kathy has served as an Adjunct Professor at Widener Law School, teaching the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program and most recently served as an Adjunct Professor at Northampton Community College of Mortuary Science, teaching the law course. Kathy currently is a member of the Dauphin County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations.

Years of Service: 9

Theodore G. Nielsen
Director of Marketing and Membership Development for Unichoice
800-692-6068 (toll free)
717-545-7215 (office)
ted@pfda.org
Ted handles the marketing of Unichoice and works on assigned special projects.
Years of Service: 23

Jo Ann G. Borsic
Paralegal/Convention & Meetings Coordinator
800-692-6068 (toll free)
717-545-7215 (office)
joann@pfda.org

JoAnn is paralegal backup to Kathy and the Meetings/Convention Coordinator. She provides legal assistance to membership, writes the newsletter, attends State Board meetings, tracks legislation and performs related assignments.
Years of Service: 8

Susan A. Bertsch
Membership Coordinator
800-692-6068 (toll free)
717-545-7215 (office)
sue@pfda.org

Sue is the Membership Coordinator managing all membership-related data. She processes new and renewing memberships, assists with membership recruitment and outreach campaigns, and helps to promote PFDA services, resources and benefits. She performs other duties as needed to support membership development.
Years of Service: 14

Ruth Ann Carrera
Trust Administrator
800-692-6068 (toll free)
717-545-7215 (office)
ruth@pfda.org

Ruth manages the preneed trust. She handles the day-to-day processing of trust claims and banking.
Years of Service: 26

Guoli Zhao
Accountant
800-692-6068 (toll free)
717-545-7215 (office)
guoli@pfda.org

Guoli provides daily accounting services to the association, monthly financials and check register to all Board members. She also maintains a database of SecurChoiceTM members and patrons. Guoli has a degree in accounting and has passed the CPA exam.
Years of Service: 11

Teri S. Morgan
Administrative Assistant
800-692-6068 (toll free)
717-545-7215 (office)
teri@pfda.org

Teri processes the insurance trust claims and is the backup for Ruth. She inputs data on the PFDA website and works on numerous association activities assigned daily.
Years of Service: 21

Sam Zema
Administrative Assistant
szema@pfda.org

Sam works as the receptionist and administrative backup. She is new to the PFDA team.
Years of Service: NEW

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