Robert (Bob) Gordon Jr. was elected as the new president of the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association during the 2025 ICCFA Experience, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, from April 30–May 3. A fourth-generation funeral professional and seasoned leader, Gordon brings more than four decades of expertise in operations, sales, and strategic growth to his new role.
Gordon (pictured at top) is currently the president and CEO of Cypress Lawn Cemetery Association in Colma, California, where he has led a period of remarkable expansion and innovation since joining in 2017. Under his leadership, the organization has doubled its annual revenue, expanded its service offerings to families, acquired Olivet’s acreage and facilities, and diversified its staff—cementing Cypress Lawn as a regional leader in deathcare.
A California native and 1988 graduate of San Diego State University with a degree in business administration and marketing, Gordon began his career at the age of 15 on the grounds crew of his grandfather’s firm, Oakdale Mortuary & Memorial Park in Glendora, California. He went on to work in every position at the family funeral home and cemetery, eventually becoming Vice President. After 14 years of service in the family business, Gordon held a variety of leadership roles across the profession, including positions with SCI, Carriage Services, and The El Camino Group in San Diego. At SCI, he led one of the company’s highest-performing markets in North America.
A licensed funeral director and cemetery broker, Gordon is known for his motto: “Ensure Others Succeed.” His impact on the profession also extends through his volunteer service with the ICCFA. He currently chairs the association’s Personalization Committee and served on the inaugural Experience Planning Committee, which helped reimagine and evolve the ICCFA’s signature event—previously known as the ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition—into the newly branded ICCFA Experience.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to serve as president of the ICCFA,” said Gordon. “This association has played such a vital role in my professional journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back in this way. I look forward to working closely with our dedicated members, volunteers, and staff as we continue to strengthen our profession and shape the future of deathcare together.”
“Bob brings a wealth of experience, a deep respect for tradition, and a forward-thinking approach to his new role as ICCFA President,” said Nadira Baddeliyanage, executive director of ICCFA. “I’m truly looking forward to working alongside him and can’t wait to see the impact of his leadership in the year ahead.”
In Other ICCFA News …
At the ICCFA Experience, the association’s members also elected John Bolton to serve as president-elect.
With more than 37 years of experience in the deathcare profession, Bolton is a nationally recognized leader known for his strategic mindset, operational excellence, and dedication to education and innovation.
Bolton currently serves as vice president of operations for development at Park Lawn Corporation, where he leads strategic initiatives focused on driving growth and top-line revenue. Prior to this role, he served as president of Blackstone Cemetery Development, where he was instrumental in developing more than 1,200 cremation-related projects across the country.
Throughout his years of service to ICCFA, Bolton has held numerous leadership roles, including vice president of education, dean of the College of Hospitality and Customer Experience at ICCFA University, chairman of the Sales and Marketing Committee, and co-chair of the 2022 Annual Convention & Exposition. Most recently, he played an integral role in reimagining the ICCFA’s signature event, helping transition the Annual Convention & Exposition into the newly branded ICCFA Experience, launched in 2025. Bolton also spearheaded the formation and leadership of the first-ever Experience Planning Committee, setting a new standard for collaborative, innovative event development within the association.
“Being elected president-elect of the ICCFA is a tremendous honor, and I’m energized by the opportunities that lie ahead,” Bolton said. “This association has always been a cornerstone for innovation and professional development, and I’m excited to help shape its future. I look forward to collaborating with our members to build on our momentum and deliver meaningful progress for the profession.”
“John’s vision, experience, and unwavering commitment to the profession make him the ideal choice for President-Elect,” Baddeliyanage said. “We’re thrilled to have him in this role and look forward to all he will bring to the association in the years ahead.”
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Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, cremation, funeral, and memorialization profession. The association is comprised of more than 10,000 members in the cemetery, funeral home, and crematory industries, as well as supplier and related businesses worldwide.
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