Board Members & Staff

Board Members

Dr. Randy Sharp

Board Chairman

Randy L. Sharp, DVM is a veterinarian in the Reno area and has been practicing veterinary medicine in the state of Nevada for over 32 years. A Reno native, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University College of Agriculture and subsequently a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He currently serves as an Elder of Administration and is on the Board of Directors at Calvary Chapel Carson City. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Calvary Chapel Bible College, Murrieta, California.

Kim Kandaras

Member

Originally from Long Beach, California, Kim moved to Lake Tahoe after graduating from California State University, Long Beach with a BS in Accounting. After four years, she decided to move to Reno to pursue her Certified Public Accounting license and has now been in Reno for more than 27 years.

She obtained her CPA license in 1997 and spent most of her accounting career in public accounting prior to working for Walton’s. She started with Walton’s as the Controller in 2004. In 2019, she and her business partner purchased Walton’s Funerals and Cremations and the Cremation Societies of Nevada.

She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Nevada Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Society for Human Resource Management.
Over the years, Kim has volunteered as Treasurer for many non-profit organizations. Currently she serves as a founding board member and Treasurer of Dress for Success – Northern Nevada Reno chapter.

In her spare time, she and her husband are avid golfers and enjoy anything baseball.

Laura Sussman

Member

Laura Sussman earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Education from The Ohio State University. She was a nonprofit executive for nearly 25 years, prior to opening Kraft-Sussman Funeral Services in 2009. Laura is a licensed funeral director and preneed insurance agent. In her free time, she is involved in several community organizations including TIP (Trauma Intervention Program of Southern Nevada), Jewish Family Service Agency, where she serves at the Board Chair.

Dr. Raymond L. Giddens, Jr.

Member

Dr. Raymond L. Giddens, Jr., was raised in the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Being diagnosed with a learning disability made obtaining an education difficult for Dr. Giddens, however, through the support of his parents and an excellent school system, Dr. Giddens stayed encouraged. He ultimately attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work with a minor in African American Studies from Western Illinois University and earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In 2015, Dr. Giddens graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services and holds a license as a funeral director in the State of Nevada. In 2018, Giddens graduated from Nova Southeastern University with his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Human Service Administration and Organizational Leadership.

Dr. Giddens has over 20 years of experience working with families and serving in the funeral industry. His expertise embraces the field of counseling, case management, and administration services. Dr. Gidden’s associations include Boulder City Hospital (2017-2020), Unity Baptist Church (2003-2018), Valley Health System/UHS (2008-Present), and Giddens Memorial Chapel (2017- Present). Dr. Giddens is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., National Funeral Directors Association, and National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association.

Dr. Giddens firmly agrees with the adage, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” He credits his success to his spiritual upbringing and continued belief in God.

Reverend Dr. D. Edward Chaney

Member

Reverend Dr. D. Edward Chaney retired after 22 years of military service in three branches of military: Navy, Army, and Air Force. Dr. Chaney was a Chaplain (Captain) in the United States Air Force Reserves at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Chaney holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Doctor of Ministry degree focusing on Collaborative Leadership. He is currently the Founder and Senior Pastor of The Renaissance Fellowship of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dr. Chaney has an extensive list of memberships and affiliations including, current chairman of the Nevada Commission on Minority Affairs, member of the Sunset Subcommittee of the State of Nevada Legislative Commission, Board member of the Las Vegas Urban League and numerous other volunteer roles. He is a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama and had the honor of delivering the opening prayer for President Barack Obama in 2012.

Doctor Chaney is married to the beautiful and brilliant former Avis C. O’Bryant of Augusta, Georgia, who was awarded a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and currently serves as one of the University’s administrators. Dr. Chaney is the father of three exceptionally gifted children.

Celena DiLullo

Member

Celena DiLullo was raised in Arizona. In 1999, after studying at The University of Arizona, she began her career in the death care profession as a funeral home administrative assistant. While in Arizona, Ms. DiLullo held many roles and eventually served as the General Manager of a large combination funeral home and cemetery for Service Corporation International (SCI). In 2004, she moved to Las Vegas and managed three local cemeteries. In 2011, she joined the Palm Mortuaries and Cemeteries team. She now serves as the President of Palm and oversees the operations of ten funeral homes and six cemeteries.

Jeffrey Long

Member

Jeff serves as the Bereavement Coordinator with Southwest Medical Hospice in Las Vegas. He walks alongside families and individuals in their grief journeys through ongoing grief support along with hosting weekly grief support groups. Jeff has been with Southwest Medical Hospice for the past three years. Prior to his work in hospice, Jeff had served as a pastor for over 25 years receiving his BA in Church Leadership from Bethany College. Jeff has served hundreds of families through those difficult seasons of life honoring their loved ones while navigating the unchartered territory of grief. Jeff enjoys the outdoors, hiking the trails through Red Rock, watching baseball, and spending time with his family.

Board Staff

Stephanie Bryant McGee

Executive Director
director@fb.nv.gov

Stephanie moved to Nevada in 2017 and served as the Chief Deputy for the Division of Insurance prior to accepting her position with the Board in 2023. She has more than twenty years of experience as a public servant and regulator, having also served as the Deputy Insurance Commissioner in Wyoming for 13 years. Ms. McGee holds both a juris doctorate and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Wyoming. She is an artist and an avid hiker.

Dr. Wayne Fazzino

Inspector/Investigator
investigator@fb.nv.gov
Dr. Fazzino is currently serving as an Investigator/Inspector and is the former chairperson with the Funeral Board. He is retired from the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office as an inspector, and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office as a special investigator, assigned to conduct fraud and public integrity investigations during his 42 year tenure in law enforcement. Dr. Fazzino started his law enforcement career with the Los Angeles Police Department while attending UCLA. He is a certified chaplain, having obtained a Master of Theology and a Doctorate of Ministry degree. He presently serves on the Board of Directors at Calvary Chapel.

Jill Gooch

Licensing Specialist/Executive Assistant

Jill is originally from Gerlach, Nevada, and is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature. She has lived in Reno since 2006 and prior to becoming the Licensing Specialist for the Board, worked in the field of intellectual property and trademarks. She is passionate about her work with the Board and ensuring the integrity of the industry in Nevada. She is a taphophile and enjoys assisting in the voluntary upkeep of rural Nevada cemeteries as her time permits. Jill also enjoys writing, traveling, and cooking- three things that meld wonderfully.