Michael R. Martel
Chief Executive Officer
Co-Founder

Michael began working in the funeral profession in 1992. A passion for service led Michael to pursue a life in the funeral and cemetery profession. A graduate of the University of Maine and Mt. Ida College, his education has supported his numerous endeavors in our profession. Much of his career was spent with the nation’s largest funeral and cemetery consolidator. Michael has been responsible for as many as 62 businesses across nine states with significant financial, customer service, and creative growth achievements over that period of time. Michael has served families as a licensed funeral director, a preneed sales counselor, and a monument sales counselor. He has lead funeral, cemetery, crematory, and ambulance businesses and teams as business manager, sales director, and market director. He proudly serves on the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice Board of Directors, and he is currently the President of the Maine Funeral Directors Association (after serving a number of years on the Board of Directors). He is married to Jennifer, and together they live in Auburn, Maine, where they are raising their three children.

EMAIL: mmartel@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (207) 212-8466
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com

Timothy “TJ” Smart
Chief OPERATING Officer
Co-Founder

TJ began his work as a funeral professional in his hometown funeral home in 1990. He learned his trade while watching the likes of Calix Baillargeon, Lawrence Kiley, and John Birmingham. All three mentors took him under their wings and showed him all of the inner workings of the funeral industry. A graduate of New England Institute at Mount Ida College in Newton, MA after spending a year at the University of Maine at Orono playing football, TJ attended school during the week and returned to his hometown of Old Town to work at Kiley - Birmingham Funeral Home on the weekends. It was here that TJ learned the importance of taking care of families at their greatest time of need. Early in his career, TJ spent time working at small, hometown funeral homes, immersing himself in their communities. In 1997, he took a job with Jones, Rich & Barnes in Portland, Maine, which would become a part of Service Corporation International in 1999, and made a 22-year career within that company. TJ held several different positions while working for SCI including Location Manager, Sales Manager, General Manager, Market Manager and most recently the Sales Director. TJ has continued his work in Central Maine communities over the last 15 years. He has been an avid supporter of the Mid Maine Chamber, the United Way, the Shine On Cass Foundation, Hospice Volunteers, and has served on many Boards and committees. TJ is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time with his wife Kerry and their two children Hunter and Gabriella at their cottage on Messalonskee Lake.

EMAIL: tsmart@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (207) 649-1653
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com

Christopher Sasso
Chief development Officer

Chris has more than 30 years of experience in the funeral and cemetery industry.  He began his career in corporate development, acquiring funeral homes and cemeteries in the Northeast and later throughout Europe.  Chris moved back to the US and took leadership roles in operations both domestically and internationally.  He has also worked developing corporate alliances.  Chris has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from LeMoyne College, a Juris Doctorate from Pace University and is admitted to the bar in New York and Connecticut. He presently resides in Houston with his wife.

EMAIL: csasso@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (281) 536-7142
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com

STEPHEN M. LYNCH
VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE

Steve started his career in the deathcare industry in 1988, after studying Accounting at the University of Notre Dame. He spent 26 years with Stewart Enterprises, starting as a staff accountant and moving through the organization in a variety of roles including Acquisition Manager, Controller, Director of Growth, Director of Administration, Operations Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer.  Most recently, 7+ years spent with Service Corporation International provided additional opportunities for growth and development.  Steve has had financial responsibility for over 300 businesses across the entire Eastern United States as well as full operational responsibility for up to 75 businesses in the Southeast. 

Steve has developed an extensive knowledge of both the financial and operational workings for funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, and monument companies.  He has served the industry in many association and state board roles throughout his career as well as volunteering his time for education, community, youth sports, and disaster relief organizations.  He is married to Dee, his college sweetheart, and together they currently reside in Greenville, South Carolina, with plans to relocate to Maine.  They enjoy cooking, traveling, and spending time with their adult children, Jack and Molly.

EMAIL: slynch@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (864) 263-8901
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com

BRIAN COFFTA
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

A graduate of SUNY Canton, Brian began his career in his native Western New York before settling down in the great State of Maine over 20 years ago.   For more than 25 years Brian has dedicated himself to the funeral service profession and has worked to be a leader in the profession he loves.  He has had the opportunity to work for many years in both the private and corporate environments of SCI and Carriage Funeral Services in the Greater New England area and New York. Brian appreciates the opportunity to share with and learn from others.  He believes in a collaborative team approach and enjoys empowering others to be the very best they can be through leadership, support, and kindness.

Currently, Brian sits on the MFDA Board of Directors and over the years he has held positions on local school boards, development committees and civic organizations.

Along with his wife, and son they have made the woods of Southern Maine their home.   Together they enjoy sailing, fishing, and a nice campfire under a starlight sky.   

EMAIL: bcoffta@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (207) 641-7915
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com

Julie Williams
Director of advance Planning

Julie’s tenure in the funeral industry spans 12 years.  Her second career began in 2013 as she worked as a cemetery director in Toronto, Canada.  Julie continued with her jurisprudence and became a licensed funeral preplanner, helping families with both facets of their final wishes. Educating families on the importance of preplanning through community outreach, in the vastly-populated suburbs of Toronto, filled her spare time.

In 2019, Julie emigrated to the Boston area, working at SCI in the Greater Boston & Southern NH area. As Sales Manager, she managed a team of advance planning funeral directors at 16 funeral homes.

In her spare time, Julie volunteers at a local hospice. She is a certified celebrant. Keeping fit remains a constant passion in her life. Julie has dual citizenship and she currently resides in the Boston area. She is happily married and a very proud mom to her 2 sons and her 2 ‘bonus’ kids in Boston.   

EMAIL: jwilliams@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (207)333-5200
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com

Vincent G. Iocovozzi
Director of Integrations

With a deep commitment to serving families with compassion and professionalism, Vincent G. Iocovozzi has dedicated his career to the funeral service industry. He earned his Degree in Mortuary Science from the American Academy McAllister Institute and presently holds a New York State Funeral Directors License. Vincent is furthering his expertise by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Funeral Services Administration at SUNY Canton.

Beyond his role as a funeral director, Vincent has held key positions in the industry, including serving as Sales Manager for a local monument company and owning his own trade business.

A strong advocate for community involvement, Vincent is an active member of several organizations, including his local Elks Lodge, Catholic Association, and Marine Corps League. He also serves as a trustee for The Central Valley Academy Foundation.

Vincent’s greatest joy is his family. He and his wife, Gianna, a dedicated teacher, are proud parents to their daughter, Mila Rose. Together, they cherish family time and remain deeply connected to their community.

EMAIL: viocovozzi@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (315)894-3781
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com

Heather Rauch
Marketing Support Lead

Heather began her career in the funeral industry at 18 years old, driven by a deep sense of wonder about how the mind processes loss. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science from SUNY Canton and later, was among the first graduates of their online Funeral Services Administration Bachelor’s Degree program.

A proud Buffalo native, Heather now calls Central New York home. She has spent her career with small funeral homes in charming communities, where she enjoys all aspects of funeral service. She truly values the meaningful connections she builds with the families she serves.

Heather is actively involved in the profession, serving on the Board for SUNY Canton’s Funeral Services Administration Program. She is also the Continuing Education Coordinator for her local Funeral Directors Association. Heather is a graduate of the inaugural class of the New York State Funeral Directors Association’s Leadership Academy and is presently a member of their Bridge Commission. She enjoys traveling and learning about the various funeral customs and traditions of the world.

Outside of her career, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, most especially her daughter, Indigo Rain, and embracing the beauty of New York State.

EMAIL: marketing@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (315)894-3781
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com