Compassion in Action
We invite students, professionals, and caregivers to attend this informative event where you will learn about jobs that are considered compassion in action.
Lunch will be provided.
Speakers:
• Guy Casablanca - Death Care: The G.O.A.T. of Career Paths
• Jerrica Mills - Delivering the Eulogy
• Corrine Thompson - Why I Chose to Be a Funeral Director
• Caedance Arevalo - Crematory Guided Tour
Speakers:
Guy Casablanca, Funeral Service Practitioner
“You’re in the Right Place"
Guy will explain how the funeral service profession has something for nearly every career interest and how this field might be right for you.
Guy first entered funeral service in 1989 in Dayton, Ohio, and has worked in Northern Kentucky, West Virginia, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, and Minnesota since that time. He brings vast experience, expertise, and compassionate care to both the funeral industry and leadership landscapes.
Marcia Romano, Pastor at FUMC Newcastle, WY, Spiritual Care and Grief Coordinator
“Cycles vs Linear Pathways to Healing and Self-Care, Cognitive and Emotive Grieving Styles
• Vicarious Trauma in the Professions
• Identifying your Type of Grieving Style
• Self-Care and Healthy Coping Methods - a cyclical vs linear pathway
Marcia has extensive experience within the fields of community building, disaster relief, hospice care, veterans’ palliative care, corrections, and law enforcement. She brings 30-plus years of knowledge regarding grief, loss, trauma, victimization, and critical incident stress management. Her background is as an administrator, hands-on practitioner, and trainer in multiple areas of grief and loss.
Gary Loghry, Regional Donation Consultant with Donor Alliance.
“Donor Alliance: saving and healing lives through organ and tissue donation”
Gary has been helping with Donor Alliance's mission to save and heal lives for 18 years. He will cover the donation process from registry to transplantation. He will also speak to the lifesaving impact of organ donation, how to get involved at a local level, and answer questions about organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Traci Chesterman, Director of Operations & Family Services Manager at Harness Funeral Home, Johnson County Deputy Coroner, Certified EMT
“Talk of a Lifetime”
This is a powerful tool created by the National Funeral Directors Association that helps families connect through conversation, share meaningful stories, and preserve legacies that might otherwise go untold. These tools help families start the talks that matter most: ones about life, memories, and what they truly value. These conversations don’t just prepare people for the future; they bring families closer now.
Traci oversees the full scope of funeral home operations, from coordinating services and managing documentation to supporting families through the intricacies of loss and remembrance. She plays a critical role in both the behind-the-scenes logistics and the face-to-face emotional support that families rely on in their most difficult hours. Her work as a Deputy Coroner and EMT adds depth to her care, ensuring seamless transitions between emergency response, death investigation, and aftercare. Respected for her professionalism, empathy, and deep community ties, Traci brings strength, clarity, and warmth to every aspect of her work in funeral, emergency, and coroner services.
Vicki Kissack - Advanced Funeral Planner, Aftercare Coordinator
"Coming to the Table"
Vicki will be speaking on funeral services from preplanning to aftercare.
Vicki has worked in the fields of energy, healthcare, and education, and she enjoys being active within the community. She is passionate about caring for others and supporting them during difficult times. She has also served as a Celebrant in the past and loved helping families honor their loved ones in their final goodbyes.
Rita Mashak, CFSP Funeral Director, Funeral Service Practitioner
"The Cremation Story: How the Industry Has Evolved"
Rita is a first-generation funeral service practitioner who is proud to serve in the community of Campbell County where she has lived for almost thirty years. Rita received her bachelor's degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and has been a funeral director since 1992. She is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), an achievement that signifies a commitment to raising the professional standards of funeral service practice and pursuing lifelong learning. Rita has served Campbell County as a deputy coroner for ten years. Rita is certified in cornea and whole eye enucleation with the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank, is a past member of the Hospice of Campbell County, and serves on the Campbell County Cemetery Board.
This event is sponsored by Gillette Memorial Chapel and Walker Funeral Home in collaboration with Gillette College Workforce & Community Development.
Lunch will be provided.
Speakers:
• Guy Casablanca - Death Care: The G.O.A.T. of Career Paths
• Jerrica Mills - Delivering the Eulogy
• Corrine Thompson - Why I Chose to Be a Funeral Director
• Caedance Arevalo - Crematory Guided Tour
Speakers:
Guy Casablanca, Funeral Service Practitioner
“You’re in the Right Place"
Guy will explain how the funeral service profession has something for nearly every career interest and how this field might be right for you.
Guy first entered funeral service in 1989 in Dayton, Ohio, and has worked in Northern Kentucky, West Virginia, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, and Minnesota since that time. He brings vast experience, expertise, and compassionate care to both the funeral industry and leadership landscapes.
Marcia Romano, Pastor at FUMC Newcastle, WY, Spiritual Care and Grief Coordinator
“Cycles vs Linear Pathways to Healing and Self-Care, Cognitive and Emotive Grieving Styles
• Vicarious Trauma in the Professions
• Identifying your Type of Grieving Style
• Self-Care and Healthy Coping Methods - a cyclical vs linear pathway
Marcia has extensive experience within the fields of community building, disaster relief, hospice care, veterans’ palliative care, corrections, and law enforcement. She brings 30-plus years of knowledge regarding grief, loss, trauma, victimization, and critical incident stress management. Her background is as an administrator, hands-on practitioner, and trainer in multiple areas of grief and loss.
Gary Loghry, Regional Donation Consultant with Donor Alliance.
“Donor Alliance: saving and healing lives through organ and tissue donation”
Gary has been helping with Donor Alliance's mission to save and heal lives for 18 years. He will cover the donation process from registry to transplantation. He will also speak to the lifesaving impact of organ donation, how to get involved at a local level, and answer questions about organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Traci Chesterman, Director of Operations & Family Services Manager at Harness Funeral Home, Johnson County Deputy Coroner, Certified EMT
“Talk of a Lifetime”
This is a powerful tool created by the National Funeral Directors Association that helps families connect through conversation, share meaningful stories, and preserve legacies that might otherwise go untold. These tools help families start the talks that matter most: ones about life, memories, and what they truly value. These conversations don’t just prepare people for the future; they bring families closer now.
Traci oversees the full scope of funeral home operations, from coordinating services and managing documentation to supporting families through the intricacies of loss and remembrance. She plays a critical role in both the behind-the-scenes logistics and the face-to-face emotional support that families rely on in their most difficult hours. Her work as a Deputy Coroner and EMT adds depth to her care, ensuring seamless transitions between emergency response, death investigation, and aftercare. Respected for her professionalism, empathy, and deep community ties, Traci brings strength, clarity, and warmth to every aspect of her work in funeral, emergency, and coroner services.
Vicki Kissack - Advanced Funeral Planner, Aftercare Coordinator
"Coming to the Table"
Vicki will be speaking on funeral services from preplanning to aftercare.
Vicki has worked in the fields of energy, healthcare, and education, and she enjoys being active within the community. She is passionate about caring for others and supporting them during difficult times. She has also served as a Celebrant in the past and loved helping families honor their loved ones in their final goodbyes.
Rita Mashak, CFSP Funeral Director, Funeral Service Practitioner
"The Cremation Story: How the Industry Has Evolved"
Rita is a first-generation funeral service practitioner who is proud to serve in the community of Campbell County where she has lived for almost thirty years. Rita received her bachelor's degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and has been a funeral director since 1992. She is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), an achievement that signifies a commitment to raising the professional standards of funeral service practice and pursuing lifelong learning. Rita has served Campbell County as a deputy coroner for ten years. Rita is certified in cornea and whole eye enucleation with the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank, is a past member of the Hospice of Campbell County, and serves on the Campbell County Cemetery Board.
This event is sponsored by Gillette Memorial Chapel and Walker Funeral Home in collaboration with Gillette College Workforce & Community Development.
Oct
30
Thursday 9:00am - 6:30pm (Mountain)
Venue:
Gillette College Tech Center in the Flex Space
Address:
3251 4-J Rd, Gillette, WY 82718
Phone:
(307) 682-3313