Our Staff

David McMahon (Company Director/Funeral Director)

David has had 29 years in the profession and is the Principal Director of the company. He is a qualified funeral director and has lived in the Bay of Plenty since buying the business from the Jones Family in 1980. His experience in the profession stems from early childhood, as his father was a funeral director in the Waikato. David is involved in many different organisations in the area he loves to live in. His partner Kay is an integral part of the company supporting David while on duty.

Chris Andrews (Company Director/Funeral Director)

Chris is a qualified funeral director with a directorship in the company. He also has a teaching degree (B.Ed. and Dip Teaching) His experience with the many different cultures we have in the Bay of Plenty enhances the service Jones and Company can give to their client families. His involvement with Nalag (National Assoiciation for Loss and Grief) is an area that he is passionate about. He is well recognised in the various sports that this area offers. Chris and his wife Carolyn and children Tahlia and Makarangi enjoy the outdoors particularly fishing and scuba diving.

Rod Demler (Manager/Funeral Director/Embalmer)

With 23 years in the funeral profession Rod brings to the company a wealth of experience and knowledge. He holds all the qualifications that the industry offers (National Diploma in Funeral Service) and has been a past tutor within the profession, and is currently an embalming examiner. He also holds a teaching degree (B.Ed., Dip.Teaching). His role is to manage the day to day running of the business. Outside of  work hours Rod enjoys gardening and fishing with his wife Bev. Their three children Matt, Andrew and Anna are all making lives for themselves away from home.

Kate Sanders (Office Manager)

Kate has worked in the funeral profession for 15 years. Her working background has been varied but predominately in the hospitality industry.

Kate’s area of responsibility as office manager is with the day to day administration of a busy funeral company. She is also a whiz on the computer excelling in publisher and adobe photoshop, providing quality service sheets for our client families. She enjoys her vege gardening and likes to relax with friends over a few wines and a catchup. Also an avid reader, belonging to a local book club for time out. Her partner Brenden, children Maddison, and Willie, and general family life keep her busy outside working hours.

Grant Jeffery (Accounts Manager)

Grant’s skills from 32 years in the banking profession has enabled Jones and Company to be more efficient in the financial accounting area of the business. He enjoys client contact through work, and leisure sports, and is a doting grandfather to five grandchildren. He and his wife Carolyn enjoy golf together with the odd bowling tournament thrown in.

Paul Gilmore (Monumental Manager/Funeral Director)

Paul’s experience with tourism and with people has enabled an easy transition to being a Monumental Manager and Funeral Director. He holds an Advanced Diploma in Travel, Tourism and Business and a trade certificate in screen printing and is presently doing his formal qualification in Funeral Directing. His area of responsibility is the Management of the Monumental side of Jones and Company, trading as Strong Memorials.

A family man with his wife Tania and children Jordan and Gemma, Paul enjoys surfing, skiing, snowboarding and like all good Kiwi blokes, home improvements DIY style.

Alistair Black (Funeral Director/Embalmer)

At the early age of 12 years, Alistair wanted to be a Funeral Director. He joined the profession in 1996 in Wellington and has been with Jones and Company since 2006. His primary role is a Funeral Director and then as an embalmer and he holds the formal qualification of National Diploma in Funeral Services which covers both disciplines in the profession and is a member of the New Zealand Embalmers Association Inc. Alistair and his wife Amy are members of the Salvation Army where he plays in the brass band. They enjoy walking and spending time with family and friends. Their first child (Conrad) is testing their parenting skills.

Phil Rutland (Embalmer/Funeral Director)

With six years of experience in the funeral profession, Phil is currently doing his formal qualifications in embalming and funeral directing at Weltech in Wellington. Phil is a former member of the volunteer Fire Brigade in Otorohonga.

In his spare time he enjoys the outdoors, fishing and likes to think he is Peter Fonda (Easy Rider) when cruising on his motorbike with the wind in his hair. He and his wife Natalie are renovating their first home the DIY way and meeting the challenges that it all brings.

Brent Macpherson (Embalmer/Funeral Director Assistant)

An avid Waikato rugby supporter, Brent entered the profession in Hamilton in 1985 after a family bereavement and has worked for Jones and Company since 1993. His years of experience and training allows flexibility in the company and his interest in cars provides an added incentive in looking after the fleet of company vehicles. A member of the Holden Club and an admirer of the late Peter Brock, Brent enjoys the debate of Holden vs Ford. Brent’s spare time is family time with his wife Megan and their two children Alex and Rhys (Holden 1 & Holden 2).

Irene Reid (Bereavement Counselor)

Irene joined the team at Jones and Company in 2006 from the Hospice environment, specialising in the area of bereavement support for our client families. Irene holds a Diploma of Counseling and Certificate in Grief Counseling along with other qualifications associated with Grief and is a member of the NZCA. She is passionate about working with grieving people and has suffered her own personal losses. A country girl from Te Puke, Irene enjoys the outdoors, tramping, swimming, reading, knitting, and movies. She is a family centered person and a Nonna to 4 grandchildren, keeps her busy. Her Christian Faith and people skills allows Irene to cope with the day to day challenges her position brings.

Rex Ballard (Funeral Director/Embalmer)

A semi retired funeral director and embalmer, Rex’s experience is invaluable. He has owned a funeral home and with that knows the business well. He is well supported by his wife Daphne and together are doting grandparents.

Sally Tamblyn (Embalmer)

Sally has had many years experience as a qualified embalmer. Her skills allow the woman’s touch in this discipline of the profession. She has been a past supervisor of embalming students in their training.