NYSFDA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of licensed funeral directors from small and large firms around New York State.
NYSFDA Officers are outstanding practitioners of funeral directing who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the mission and goals of the Association.
NYSFDA Officers
Michael J. Gorton, Jr., CFSP, President
Michael J. Gorton, Jr., CFSP, a licensed funeral director with McManus-Lorey Funeral Home in Medford, was installed President at the organization's annual banquet held on August 19, 2025 in Saratoga Springs, NY. He became a licensed funeral director in 1997 and is a graduate of St. John's University (Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service Administration) and American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. In February of 1998 Mike decided to join the family funeral home in Medford and become a director under his aunt and uncle at McManus-Lorey Funeral Home.
Mike is a long-time active member in the New York State Funeral Directors Association, a 2018 NYSFDA Leadership Academy graduate, member of the Bridge Commission, and currently is Chair of the NYS Tribute Foundation. He has also served on the Nassau-Suffolk Funeral Directors Association Board of Directors in a number of capacities, including President.
Mike lives in Rocky Point, with his wife, Melissa and their son, Gabe. He is involved in his community at home where he served as President of the North Shore Beach Association from 2015-2019. He currently is the treasurer of NSBPOA as well as current Scoutmaster of troop 244 in Rocky Point. In his free time Mike enjoys days at the beach in Rocky Point, cooking BBQ for friends and family, relaxing in his backyard and drinking local craft beer and Long Island wine.
Mark J. Nolan, President-Elect
Mark J. Nolan, a licensed funeral director and owner of Nolan Funeral Home, Inc. in Northport, NY, was installed as President-Elect at the organization's annual banquet held on August 19, 2025 in Saratoga Springs, NY. Mark represents the third generation Funeral Director in the Nolan family. Like his father and grandfather before him, Mark attended American Academy-McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in Manhattan. He began his career at Nolan & Taylor-Howe Funeral Home, Inc. in 1996.
Mark was a board member of the Nassau-Suffolk Funeral Directors Association from 1999 until 2008, and has been a member on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association. Joining Northport Rotary Club in 2003, he currently sits on the Board of Directors having served as President from 2017 to 2019. An active member of St. Philip Neri Parish, Mark served as a Parish Council member from 2004 to 2010. Mark has coached Softball for Northport Little League, and with his wife, Nora, coached girls lacrosse for the Northport Lacrosse Club.
He and his wife Nora reside with their children in Northport Village.
David A. Parente, CPC, Treasurer
David A. Parente, CPC, a licensed funeral director and Principal, Firm Manager at the McVeigh Funeral Home in Albany, NY, was installed as Treasurer at the organization's annual banquet held on August 19, 2025 in Saratoga Springs, NY. David has extensive experience as a funeral service professional, serving Albany area families for over 40 years. He has been with the McVeigh Funeral Home for the better part of those years.
His curriculum vita includes Canisius College, Hudson Valley Community College, and the prestigious, internationally-renowned Fountain National Academy of Professional Embalming Skills.
David is very active in related business associations, as well as within the wider community. He currently serves as President Capital District Funeral Directors Association; former Trustee Blessed Sacrament Church, Albany, NY; Past President and Council member of Blessed Sacrament Church, Albany, NY; Board Member Budget and Finance Committee Blessed Sacrament Church, Albany, NY; former Board Member and Vice President of The Community Hospice Foundation; Hudson Valley Community College Morturary Science Program Advisory Board Member; Chairman Albany Central Ave. Business Improvement District; Board member Capitalize Albany Corporation; Chairman Membership Committee Capitalize Albany Corporation.
David is a founding Board Member of New York State Funeral Directors (NYSFDA) Directors Choice Credit Union (DCCU); Chairman NYSFDA Funeral Directors Support Services (FDSS); Chairman NYSFDA PrePlan Trustees; Board Member NYSFDA Budget and Finance Committee; former chairman NYSFDA's Ethics Committee; Board Member Albany Police & Fire Foundation; and he serves on the House Committee at The Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY.
Michelle Ironside Kinville, Secretary
Michelle Ironside Kinville, a licensed funeral director with Ironside Funeral Home, Inc. in Oneida, NY, was installed as Secretary at the organization's annual banquet held on August 19, 2025 in Saratoga Springs, NY. Michelle graduated from Oneida High School and then attended Utica College of Syracuse University. While at Utica College, she was a four-year member of their women’s basketball team. She graduated cum laude in May of 2006, with a Bachelor's Degree in Management and a concentration in Marketing. Michelle then attended American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, in New York City. She graduated in August of 2007 as a member of the first online class. Michelle completed her residency in September of 2008 at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., in Rome and was a licensed funeral director with them for six years. She returned home to work full-time at the family business in October of 2014.
Michelle is a member of the Tri-County Funeral Directors Association and a member of Spirit of Hope Parish, where she serves as an Eucharistic Minister and Lector. Michelle has been a long-time member of the New York State Funeral Directors Association, having served four years on the Board of Directors representing Region 4, and has served several years on the Bridge Commission. Michelle is the Assistant Varsity Girl's Basketball Coach at Oneida High School. She was the Ward 4 Councilor for the City of Oneida from 2020 to 2023 and was the Deputy Mayor from 2022 to 2023. She currently serves on the Madison County Board of Supervisors representing the City of Oneida Wards 4, 5, and 6. She is also on the PTO Board of Directors for the Oneida Elementary Schools.
She is the daughter of Bruce M. and Kathy G. Ironside. Michelle was married to her husband, Scott M. Kinville, on October 6, 2012. They currently reside in Oneida with their daughters, Allison Lynne and Danielle Elizabeth, and their chocolate lab, Bella, and yellow lab, Otto.
Scott C. Hendrix, Immediate Past President
Scott Hendrix, a licensed funeral director with Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home in Ilion, was installed President at the organization's annual meeting held on August 19, 2024 in Verona, NY. He has been a licensed funeral director for nearly 40 years with the family business. Scott is a graduate of SUNY Canton, and enjoys cooking, golf, traveling and spending time between New York State and Myrtle Beach, SC with his wife Geri.
Scott served on the NYSFDA Board for many years, and serves as Secretary/Treasuer on the NYS Tribute Foundation Board. He is also a Lieutenant-EMT-CC with the Ilion Fire Dept.
Scott has two daughters, Victoria and Jacquelyn, and a granddaughter Fiona.
NYSFDA Staff
Michael A. Lanotte, Executive Director
As NYSFDA’s Executive Director, Mike oversees several distinct entities including: President, Funeral Director Support Services, Inc., which administers PrePlan, the Association's master trust; President, Directors Choice Credit Union; and President of the New York State Tribute Foundation, a charitable organization pursuing goals of charity, knowledge and education for both consumers and funeral directors. Mike previously served as Senior Vice President of Association Services at the New York Credit Union Association where he was responsible for compliance, community development, education and training, governance, governmental affairs, member services, the New York Credit Union Foundation, and legal and regulatory affairs. He has also served many roles at NYCUA including associate counsel in 1993 and general counsel in 1997. Mike is the past chairman of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) State Issues Subcommittee and has served on CUNA's Supervisory Issues Working Group. Mike has also served on the American Association of Credit Union League's (AACUL) State Issues Committee and Regulatory Advocacy Committee, as well as on ACCUL's Model Credit Union Act Task Force, where he served as chairman. Prior to joining the Association, Mike received his Juris Doctorate degree from Albany Law School of Union University after graduating cum laude from Union College in Schenectady, NY.
Ivan Antonyuk | Director of Information Technology
Kelly Ann Berger | Directors Choice Credit Union Member Representative
Vesta Caunitz | PrePlan Administrator
Amy Coonan | Senior Preneed Administrator
Kelly Deitz, CAE | Senior Director of Association and Tribute
Megan Geroux | Director of Marketing & Communications
Mehgyn Gould | Graphic Design Specialist
Kara Grennon | PrePlan Administrator
Linda Isabel | Directors Choice Credit Union Operations Manager
Tammy Keenan | PrePlan Administrator
Amanda LaPointe | PrePlan Administrator
Raeven Longo | Front Desk Receptionist
Mark Magram | Senior Software Developer
Randy L. McCullough | Director of Governmental Affairs
Kim McGuiness | Director of Finance & Administration
Michelle C. Mora | Member Services Specialist
Melissa Sargalis | Director of Preneed Trust Services
Amber Smith | PrePlan Administrator
Cherie Tessier | Executive Assistant
Erin Townsend | PrePlan Administrator
