TREVOSE, Pa., Nov. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StoneMor Partners L.P. (NYSE:STON) ("StoneMor" or the "Partnership"), a leading owner and operator of cemeteries and funeral homes, today announced it has filled a number of key operational management positions. Over the past few months, new hires include Doug Farruggia as Northeast Division President, Jack Omer as Southeast Division President and Robert Page as Western Division President. In addition, Chris Hamiel has joined as Vice-President of Operations Support.

As Division Presidents, reporting to Chief Operating Officer Jim Ford, Messrs. Farruggia, Omer and Page will oversee all aspects of cemetery and funeral operations including site operations, profit performance, customer service, sales targets and oversight of regional management. They will assume responsibility for establishing operational benchmarks, timelines and resources needed to achieve strategic goals while setting standards for accountability and measurements of success.

Commenting on the new hires, Joe Redling, StoneMor's Chief Executive Officer said, "We're delighted to welcome these four executives to the StoneMor team. As we recently announced, StoneMor has moved to a decentralized operating structure based on three regional divisions and a general manager model. These individuals will play key roles as we drive improvements in accountability, efficiency and overall profitability." 

Jim Ford, StoneMor's Chief Operating Officer commented, "We've filled vital roles with veteran industry talent, and we couldn't be more excited. Their individual and collective experience spans operational excellence, financial management and team leadership. We expect they will have a significant impact on our operating team and we look forward to their contributions."

Mr. Farruggia joins StoneMor from CMS East, a privately-held, full-service cemetery company located in Jeanette, Pennsylvania, where from 2015 to 2018 he held the position of Executive Vice-President & Sales Director overseeing all 26 company locations. Prior to this, Farruggia filled numerous senior management roles at CMS East since 1997. Prior to CMS East, he was Regional General Manager at CMS West, a Pittsburgh-based full-service cemetery company.

Mr. Omer joined StoneMor in 2017 as Regional Vice-President and shortly added Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. In September 2018, he was promoted to Southeast Division President. Prior to StoneMor, from 2015 - 2017, Omer was Regional Vice-President of Operations at Senior Lifestyle Corporation, a Chicago-based operator of senior lifestyle communities in 24 states and two countries. Prior to this, from 2009 – 2015, Omer was Senior Director of Operations at Tennessee-based Brookdale Senior Living.

Mr. Page joins StoneMor from Orlando-based Foundation Partners Group, LLC, one of the largest privately-owned funeral and cemetery operators where he served as Vice-President, Operations Integration since 2016, and as Consultant from 2013 - 2016. Prior to this, from 2004 - 2013, Page was Chief Information Officer/Partner of Houston-based NorthStar Memorial Group, LLC, a start-up acquisition company focused on the funeral and memorialization profession.

Mr. Hamiel joins StoneMor from Foundation Partners Group, LLC, where he was Area Vice-President of Sales and Operations – Northeast Region, since 2016. Prior to this, from 2015 – 2016, he was Sales Designer-Cremation Gardens – Eastern US, for Matthews International. He also filled various management roles at Stewart Enterprises and Service Corporation since 1999. Hamiel, also reporting to COO Jim Ford, will focus on pricing management for all locations including the creation of standardized and simplified price lists. His responsibilities include merchandise procurement and inventory development, safety and compliance and management of maintenance capital expenditures.

About StoneMor Partners L.P.

StoneMor Partners L.P., headquartered in Trevose, Pennsylvania, is an owner and operator of cemeteries and funeral homes in the United States, with 322 cemeteries and 91 funeral homes in 27 states and Puerto Rico.