OUR CARING STAFF

Bruce W. Buchanan, the fourth-generation owner of this family-held business, is CEO of Flanner Buchanan. He takes great pride in the family’s six-generation history in Indiana and its nearly 150 years of funeral service in Indianapolis. Bruce joined the company’s board in 1987 and spent his early years with the company managing the expansion of new funeral centers. These facilities include flexible event spaces for life celebrations and community events. Bruce holds a BA degree in Political Science from Indiana University and a MS degree in Journalism from Ohio University. Bruce attended Broad Ripple High School. He is active in both civic and arts groups in Indianapolis. Bruce and his wife Julie live in downtown Indianapolis.

Carlos joined the company in September 1998 and is responsible for client accounting operations, corporate finance, and management information systems. He brings twenty years international experience in finance and administration with large, multi-company corporations. He earned his Masters degree in Accounting from Long Island University in 1987. Carlos is experienced managing large functions and achieves maximum efficiencies and productivity through empowerment of staff to identify and pursue ongoing process improvement.

Jan Smith joined the company in 2012 and is currently the Vice President of Funeral Operations, overseeing Flanner Buchanan and Lavenia & Summers Funeral Home Operations. With a background as a former COO in Missouri and Managing Partner in Florida funeral firms, she holds licenses as a Funeral Director, Embalmer, and CFSP. Jan holds a BS from Eastern Illinois University, a Mortuary degree from Worshman College, and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. Alongside her professional achievements, she serves as the Secretary of the Church Board and is actively involved in various funeral service organizations. Personally, she is a wife to Aaron and a mother to Andrew.

Maureen joined the company in 2008, with a background in training and development with an international organization as well as experience in the health insurance industry. Her expertise is in relationship building and developing community and corporate partnerships that help to expand the market share of the company. She understands that the success of the company is largely based on the ability to meet the changing needs of today’s clients. She is originally from New Albany, IN and graduated from Ball State with a BS in Public Relations and an MA in Corporate Training and Development.

Ben grew up in Hendersonville, TN and attended Tennessee Technological University and Western Kentucky University where he majored in Horticulture and Turfgrass Management. After Western he joined the United States Marine Corps where he was stationed out of Twenty-Nine Palms, CA with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. He is a life member of the American Legion along with Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Honorary Life Member of the Vietnam Veterans of America. 

Ben and his wife Elizabeth have a daugher named Isabella. Ben enjoys time with his family, playing golf, MMA, Nashville Predators, and is an avid Colts fan. His faith in God and his love of Christ are the backbone for family and work.

Personal Philosophy: Making funeral, cremation, or cemetery decisions does not have to be a difficult process. The advance planning process allows you to express your wishes and relieve your loved ones of this future emotional and financial burden. One of the greatest gifts we can give our family is a well thought out plan that eliminates any lingering doubts about the decisions that are made allowing for a true celebration of life.

Mark has extensive experience in problem solving for funeral homes, cemeteries and special events facilities. He has gone from seasonal ground worker to corporate vice president in his near 40-year career. Mark has worked as a sales advisor and sales manager, cemetery grounds man and supervisor, location manager, combination manager, and now as a facilities manager responsible for multiple locations with nearly 1,000 acres of land. His recent duties included management of Monumental Weddings and Events. Mark served as an instructor on event planning and implementation at ICCFA University. Active in service to the profession, he is past president and now a board member of the Indiana Cemetery Association.

Nicole brings extensive expertise to her role as Buchanan Group's new Vice President of Human Resources. She will drive our strategic initiatives in talent management, employee relations, benefits administration, and legal compliance. Originally from Texas, she earned her degree in Psychology from the University of Texas, Dallas, and continued her studies in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Her career journey began with a transformative two-year stint teaching English in Prague, Czech Republic, before settling in Indianapolis.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Nicole is an active participant in the Indianapolis HR community. A lifelong Texas Rangers enthusiast, she loves attending MLB games, practicing yoga, exploring new destinations, and enjoying time with friends, family, and her two children, Frederick and Adelaide.

Lesley Deaton joined the company in 2013 and serves as our Vice President of Administration. She oversees the Human Resources Department, Payroll, Benefits and Risk Management and is certified in Human Resources Management. Lesley spent three years serving with Americorps in Philadelphia and is passionate about these programs. She an active volunteer with Shepherd Community Center as well as various school organizations with her children. She is wife to Grant and mother to Jackson, Sadie and Vincent.

Rebecca Adair joined the company in 2019 and serves as Guest Relations Manager. As a former Police Officer, Rebecca decided to choose the funeral industry as a second career.  She believes Guest Relations and building relationships with families is the foundation of Flanner Buchanan.  Rebecca enjoys spending time with family and friends when she is not serving families in need.

Buddy grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and is a graduate of John A. Gupton College. For the last decade since earning his degree in funeral service/mortuary science he has served countless families as a licensed funeral director, embalmer, crematory operator and family service advisor. Prior to mortuary school Buddy was in priestly formation as a seminarian and later a religious brother. Little did he know how impactful that formation would be when serving the grieving families, he would later encounter in funeral service.        

Buddy and his wife Danielle reside in Fishers, Indiana and have four beautiful children Simon, Lucy, Dominic and Gabriel. Buddy enjoys spending time with family whether that be playing at the park, fishing, or even dancing. He is a parishioner of St. John Vianney Catholic Church where he is active in the men's group and Cursillo movement.

Philosophy: As a funeral director, Buddy has seen firsthand the stark contrast between a family who has a plan in place and those who, unfortunately, do not. He believes every family should have a concrete intentional plan in place to remove the stress and anxiety that otherwise surround a family in the wake of a loss. Planning is simple and he would encourage anyone to have the conversation.  

Karen grew up in Illinois before moving to Indiana in 1994. She attended the College of DuPage where she studied architecture. She joined the company in 1999 and provides administrative support for the leadership team as well as marketing support.

Her prior work experience includes customer service/retail management for over 20 years.

Karen has one son, and three grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with family, especially when it comes to cheering on her grandchildren in sports and dance, going to the movies or dinner with friends or being outdoors enjoying a good sunrise or sunset.