Michael R. Martel
Chief Executive Officer
Co-Founder

Michael began working in the funeral profession in 1992. A passion for service led Michael to pursue a life in the funeral and cemetery profession. A graduate of the University of Maine and Mt. Ida College, his education has supported his numerous endeavors in our profession. Much of his career was spent with the nation’s largest funeral and cemetery consolidator. Michael has been responsible for as many as 62 businesses across nine states with significant financial, customer service, and creative growth achievements over that period of time. Michael has served families as a licensed funeral director, a preneed sales counselor, and a monument sales counselor. He has lead funeral, cemetery, crematory, and ambulance businesses and teams as business manager, sales director, and market director. He proudly serves on the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice Board of Directors, and he is currently the President of the Maine Funeral Directors Association (after serving a number of years on the Board of Directors). He is married to Jennifer, and together they live in Auburn, Maine, where they are raising their three children.

EMAIL: mmartel@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (207) 212-8466
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com

Timothy “TJ” Smart
Chief OPERATING Officer
Co-Founder

TJ began his work as a funeral professional in his hometown funeral home in 1990. He learned his trade while watching the likes of Calix Baillargeon, Lawrence Kiley, and John Birmingham. All three mentors took him under their wings and showed him all of the inner workings of the funeral industry. A graduate of New England Institute at Mount Ida College in Newton, MA after spending a year at the University of Maine at Orono playing football, TJ attended school during the week and returned to his hometown of Old Town to work at Kiley - Birmingham Funeral Home on the weekends. It was here that TJ learned the importance of taking care of families at their greatest time of need. Early in his career, TJ spent time working at small, hometown funeral homes, immersing himself in their communities. In 1997, he took a job with Jones, Rich & Barnes in Portland, Maine, which would become a part of Service Corporation International in 1999, and made a 22-year career within that company. TJ held several different positions while working for SCI including Location Manager, Sales Manager, General Manager, Market Manager and most recently the Sales Director. TJ has continued his work in Central Maine communities over the last 15 years. He has been an avid supporter of the Mid Maine Chamber, the United Way, the Shine On Cass Foundation, Hospice Volunteers, and has served on many Boards and committees. TJ is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time with his wife Kerry and their two children Hunter and Gabriella at their cottage on Messalonskee Lake.

EMAIL: tsmart@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (207) 649-1653
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com

Seb D'Appolonia
Chief Growth Officer
Co-Founder

Seb has joined Milestone Funeral Partners after having spent over 25 years in business development, consulting, and sales leadership roles across several industry verticals in large Fortune 500 Companies as well as in startups and in established small independently owned businesses.  Seb brings a welcomed and much needed outside perspective to our Company having never worked in the Funeral Services Industry prior to now.  

In his role, Seb is responsible for developing and executing our growth strategy and will be working closely with existing owners and operators to identify and present unique and creative solutions that will address their specific needs as they consider transitioning their business.  His ability to quickly connect with people on a deep level and build rapport and establish trust with them stems from his sincere and genuine desire to truly get to know the person with whom he is speaking and to understand their goals and objectives and the things that are most important to them.  

Seb is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and currently resides in Yarmouth, Maine where he has raised his three children.

EMAIL: sdappolonia@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (207) 999-9114

STEPHEN M. LYNCH
VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE

Steve started his career in the deathcare industry in 1988, after studying Accounting at the University of Notre Dame. He spent 26 years with Stewart Enterprises, starting as a staff accountant and moving through the organization in a variety of roles including Acquisition Manager, Controller, Director of Growth, Director of Administration, Operations Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer.  Most recently, 7+ years spent with Service Corporation International provided additional opportunities for growth and development.  Steve has had financial responsibility for over 300 businesses across the entire Eastern United States as well as full operational responsibility for up to 75 businesses in the Southeast. 

Steve has developed an extensive knowledge of both the financial and operational workings for funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, and monument companies.  He has served the industry in many association and state board roles throughout his career as well as volunteering his time for education, community, youth sports, and disaster relief organizations.  He is married to Dee, his college sweetheart, and together they currently reside in Greenville, South Carolina, with plans to relocate to Maine.  They enjoy cooking, traveling, and spending time with their adult children, Jack and Molly.

EMAIL: slynch@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (864) 263-8901

BRIAN COFFTA
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

A graduate of SUNY Canton, Brian began his career in his native Western New York before settling down in the great State of Maine over 20 years ago.   For more than 25 years Brian has dedicated himself to the funeral service profession and has worked to be a leader in the profession he loves.  He has had the opportunity to work for many years in both the private and corporate environments of SCI and Carriage Funeral Services in the Greater New England area and New York. Brian appreciates the opportunity to share with and learn from others.  He believes in a collaborative team approach and enjoys empowering others to be the very best they can be through leadership, support, and kindness.

Currently, Brian sits on the MFDA Board of Directors and over the years he has held positions on local school boards, development committees and civic organizations.

Along with his wife, and son they have made the woods of Southern Maine their home.   Together they enjoy sailing, fishing, and a nice campfire under a starlight sky.   

EMAIL: bcoffta@milestonefuneralpartners.com
PHONE: (207) 641-7915