Seb D'Appolonia
Co-Founder, President & CEO
Seb D'Appolonia is the President and CEO of the Landmark Funeral Group. He is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and is passionate about inspirational leadership. Seb takes a genuine interest in the personal and professional development of his team in an effort to help them unleash their true potential while supporting, challenging, and empowering associates to achieve company objectives. His desire to cultivate deep, meaningful human relationships and his ability to blend strategic vision with hands-on execution help establish the trust and confidence that form the foundation of Landmark’s partnerships.
Prior to his role at Landmark, Seb entered funeral service in 2021 as one of the co-founders of Milestone Funeral Partners, where he served as the Chief Growth Officer. His leadership, dedication, and results-driven approach helped establish Milestone as a major player in the death-care business and secure its ownership transition in 2024.
Seb previously enjoyed a successful 20+ year career in various business development, sales, and sales leadership roles, primarily in the insurance and financial services industries. Those roles equipped him with a strong foundation in relationship management, financial planning, and strategic development.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, and after spending more than a decade in the Washington, DC area, Seb has enjoyed calling the Portland, ME area home for the last 15+ years. He is the proud father of two daughters and a son, all of whom are in their 20s. In his free time, you can find Seb traveling the world, enjoying the outdoors (especially on the water), cooking, and spending as much quality time with friends and family as possible.
Seb D'Appolonia
Co-Founder, President & CEO
Seb D'Appolonia is the President and CEO of the Landmark Funeral Group. He is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and is passionate about inspirational leadership. Seb takes a genuine interest in the personal and professional development of his team in an effort to help them unleash their true potential while supporting, challenging, and empowering associates to achieve company objectives. His desire to cultivate deep, meaningful human relationships and his ability to blend strategic vision with hands-on execution help establish the trust and confidence that form the foundation of Landmark’s partnerships.
Prior to his role at Landmark, Seb entered funeral service in 2021 as one of the co-founders of Milestone Funeral Partners, where he served as the Chief Growth Officer. His leadership, dedication, and results-driven approach helped establish Milestone as a major player in the death-care business and secure its ownership transition in 2024.
Seb previously enjoyed a successful 20+ year career in various business development, sales, and sales leadership roles, primarily in the insurance and financial services industries. Those roles equipped him with a strong foundation in relationship management, financial planning, and strategic development.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, and after spending more than a decade in the Washington, DC area, Seb has enjoyed calling the Portland, ME area home for the last 15+ years. He is the proud father of two daughters and a son, all of whom are in their 20s. In his free time, you can find Seb traveling the world, enjoying the outdoors (especially on the water), cooking, and spending as much quality time with friends and family as possible.
Jackie Short
Chief Operating Officer
Jackie Short is the Chief Operating Officer of Landmark Funeral Group and an accomplished operations executive with more than 20 years of experience leading and scaling multi-site organizations. Her career spans long term care, dialysis, primary care, and clinical research in public and PE backed organizations. She is passionate about building strong teams, developing leaders, improving performance, and creating the operational infrastructure needed to support growth. Prior to joining Landmark, Jackie served as Chief Operating Officer of Headlands Research, an international clinical research organization. Throughout her career, she has led organizations through significant growth and transformation, with deep experience in operational strategy, performance improvement, acquisition integration, and change management. At Landmark, Jackie is focused on strengthening operations while preserving the heritage and community relationships that make each funeral home unique. Her leadership philosophy combines accountability with empathy and a belief that investing in people is fundamental to building successful organizations. Jackie resides in Westfield, Indiana and serves on the Best Buddies of Indiana and Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity boards.
Jackie Short
Chief Operating Officer
Jackie Short is the Chief Operating Officer of Landmark Funeral Group and an accomplished operations executive with more than 20 years of experience leading and scaling multi-site organizations. Her career spans long term care, dialysis, primary care, and clinical research in public and PE backed organizations. She is passionate about building strong teams, developing leaders, improving performance, and creating the operational infrastructure needed to support growth. Prior to joining Landmark, Jackie served as Chief Operating Officer of Headlands Research, an international clinical research organization. Throughout her career, she has led organizations through significant growth and transformation, with deep experience in operational strategy, performance improvement, acquisition integration, and change management. At Landmark, Jackie is focused on strengthening operations while preserving the heritage and community relationships that make each funeral home unique. Her leadership philosophy combines accountability with empathy and a belief that investing in people is fundamental to building successful organizations. Jackie resides in Westfield, Indiana and serves on the Best Buddies of Indiana and Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity boards.
Ashkan Bagheri
Chief Financial Officer
Ashkan Bagheri (Ash) is a seasoned finance executive with over 18 years of experience in financial planning, value creation, liquidity optimization, and risk management. His career spans multiple industries—including power and utilities, real estate, and manufacturing—across both public and private equity environments. Ash is recognized for his transformational and collaborative leadership style, fostering innovation and embracing change in dynamic, fast-paced settings. He holds a bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering and an MBA and is both a CPA and CFA charter holder.
Based in Toronto, Canada, Ash is married and a proud father to a 12-year-old son. He values quality time with family, enjoys summer sports, and is passionate about volunteering and supporting others. A devoted rock music fan, his playlist features Iron Maiden and Metallica. He also loves traveling, which allows him to explore new cultures and challenge himself physically—bringing balance and energy to both his personal and professional life.
Ashkan Bagheri
Chief Financial Officer
Ashkan Bagheri (Ash) is a seasoned finance executive with over 18 years of experience in financial planning, value creation, liquidity optimization, and risk management. His career spans multiple industries—including power and utilities, real estate, and manufacturing—across both public and private equity environments. Ash is recognized for his transformational and collaborative leadership style, fostering innovation and embracing change in dynamic, fast-paced settings. He holds a bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering and an MBA and is both a CPA and CFA charter holder.
Based in Toronto, Canada, Ash is married and a proud father to a 12-year-old son. He values quality time with family, enjoys summer sports, and is passionate about volunteering and supporting others. A devoted rock music fan, his playlist features Iron Maiden and Metallica. He also loves traveling, which allows him to explore new cultures and challenge himself physically—bringing balance and energy to both his personal and professional life.
Alfie Watterson
Vice President, Corporate Development
Alfred (Alfie) Watterson is the VP of Corporate Development for the Landmark Funeral
Group. He brings more than 20 years of experience in acquisitions, finance, and
corporate strategy to the team. Throughout much of his career, Alfie has specialized in mergers and acquisitions – taking a bespoke, collaborative approach to each of the acquisitions he’s led. Prior to joining Landmark, Alfie spent 15 years with Liberty Tire Recycling where he led Corporate Development and closed & integrated over $370 million in acquisitions. During his tenure at Liberty, Alfie also served as Treasurer, managing debt refinancing and equity raises. Alfie began his career in banking with Tristate Capital Bank and GE Capital, where he managed large credit portfolios and developed expertise in
underwriting and financial analysis. He holds an MBA with dual concentrations in Finance and Marketing from the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and a B.S. in Economics from James Madison University.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Alfie and his wife, Valerie, returned home after time in Washington, DC. Alfie and Valerie live in Mt. Lebanon with three of their four kids (the oldest is married and living in Alexandria, VA). At the Watterson house, cooking for and entertaining friends & family is a shared passion. If the house is empty, Alfie will be looking for some live music or someone to play literally any racquet sport with.
Alfie Watterson
Vice President, Corporate Development
Alfred (Alfie) Watterson is the VP of Corporate Development for the Landmark Funeral
Group. He brings more than 20 years of experience in acquisitions, finance, and
corporate strategy to the team. Throughout much of his career, Alfie has specialized in mergers and acquisitions – taking a bespoke, collaborative approach to each of the acquisitions he’s led. Prior to joining Landmark, Alfie spent 15 years with Liberty Tire Recycling where he led Corporate Development and closed & integrated over $370 million in acquisitions. During his tenure at Liberty, Alfie also served as Treasurer, managing debt refinancing and equity raises. Alfie began his career in banking with Tristate Capital Bank and GE Capital, where he managed large credit portfolios and developed expertise in
underwriting and financial analysis. He holds an MBA with dual concentrations in Finance and Marketing from the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and a B.S. in Economics from James Madison University.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Alfie and his wife, Valerie, returned home after time in Washington, DC. Alfie and Valerie live in Mt. Lebanon with three of their four kids (the oldest is married and living in Alexandria, VA). At the Watterson house, cooking for and entertaining friends & family is a shared passion. If the house is empty, Alfie will be looking for some live music or someone to play literally any racquet sport with.
Anna Schroeder
General Counsel
Anna L. Schroeder serves as General Counsel to the Landmark team. Having received her Bachelor of Science at The University of Toledo, she went on to obtain her Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University. After several legal roles throughout her educational experience in both the public and private sectors, and at nonprofit organizations, hospitals, and government institutions, she began her career as an attorney in the private practice of law at one of the largest law firms in Northwest Ohio. While at the firm, she practiced primarily in the areas of corporate law and estate planning, specifically succeeding in building community relationships and serving as a trusted advisor to new and returning clients. As Landmark’s General Counsel, Anna is dedicated to upholding the company’s mission by offering in-house legal advice with compassion, keeping in mind the people, communities, and legacies we serve.
Anna resides in Northwest Ohio with her husband and children. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially when they can be outdoors together. They frequently take walks around their country home, go on tractor rides with Anna’s husband as he farms, and visit their cozy family lake house in central Ohio.
Anna Schroeder
General Counsel
Anna L. Schroeder serves as General Counsel to the Landmark team. Having received her Bachelor of Science at The University of Toledo, she went on to obtain her Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University. After several legal roles throughout her educational experience in both the public and private sectors, and at nonprofit organizations, hospitals, and government institutions, she began her career as an attorney in the private practice of law at one of the largest law firms in Northwest Ohio. While at the firm, she practiced primarily in the areas of corporate law and estate planning, specifically succeeding in building community relationships and serving as a trusted advisor to new and returning clients. As Landmark’s General Counsel, Anna is dedicated to upholding the company’s mission by offering in-house legal advice with compassion, keeping in mind the people, communities, and legacies we serve.
Anna resides in Northwest Ohio with her husband and children. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially when they can be outdoors together. They frequently take walks around their country home, go on tractor rides with Anna’s husband as he farms, and visit their cozy family lake house in central Ohio.
Matt Dugas
Director of Business Systems and Integrations
Matt brings 17 years of dedicated experience in the funeral and cemetery profession. Throughout his career, he has assisted thousands of funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries with vital technology implementations and system updates. His deep expertise in the daily operations of these businesses comes from roles across major industry software platforms and providers, including SRS Computing, Passare, PlotBox, The Journey Group, and Park Lawn Corporation. Most recently, his career was spent working on Park Lawn's custom ERP system, new business integrations, system migrations, and accounting integrations, giving him a real breadth of understanding of the day-to-day operations of funeral businesses.
Matt grew up near Pittsburgh, PA is excited to once again support funeral professionals and families in the very area where he first launched his career, and he believes strongly in Landmark Funeral Group's mission. He understands that people come to our community funeral homes on some of the hardest days of their lives. When he can help make it easier for funeral professionals, and improve the experience of the families we serve, it gives them time back to be with their loved ones.
Outside of work, Matt is deeply family-oriented. He and his wife, Kate live in Ohio Township, PA and have 3 children with sports schedules that keep them busy! When he isn’t at one of his kid’s extracurricular event or doing projects around the house, Matt is a huge ice hockey fan, proudly rooting for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He and Kate also love exploring new spots around Pittsburgh and catching a concert or game whenever they get a free weekend.
Matt Dugas
Director of Business Systems and Integrations
Matt brings 17 years of dedicated experience in the funeral and cemetery profession. Throughout his career, he has assisted thousands of funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries with vital technology implementations and system updates. His deep expertise in the daily operations of these businesses comes from roles across major industry software platforms and providers, including SRS Computing, Passare, PlotBox, The Journey Group, and Park Lawn Corporation. Most recently, his career was spent working on Park Lawn's custom ERP system, new business integrations, system migrations, and accounting integrations, giving him a real breadth of understanding of the day-to-day operations of funeral businesses.
Matt grew up near Pittsburgh, PA is excited to once again support funeral professionals and families in the very area where he first launched his career, and he believes strongly in Landmark Funeral Group's mission. He understands that people come to our community funeral homes on some of the hardest days of their lives. When he can help make it easier for funeral professionals, and improve the experience of the families we serve, it gives them time back to be with their loved ones.
Outside of work, Matt is deeply family-oriented. He and his wife, Kate live in Ohio Township, PA and have 3 children with sports schedules that keep them busy! When he isn’t at one of his kid’s extracurricular event or doing projects around the house, Matt is a huge ice hockey fan, proudly rooting for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He and Kate also love exploring new spots around Pittsburgh and catching a concert or game whenever they get a free weekend.
