CONTRIBUTED — Renee Bays Lockhart has been appointed President of Heritage Partners (“HP”).  As President of HP, Renee will oversee one of the largest and fastest growing death-care platforms in the country. She will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer of Heritage Partners.

Lockhart joined Heritage Family Funeral Services in April of 1990 when the company had only nine locations across three states. She has served as a member of the Elizabethton Civitan Club, the Rotary Club of Elizabethton and the board of Abuse Alternatives, Inc. She was selected for inclusion in the 2001 Forty Under 40 class featured in The Business Journal of Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia.

Originally from Middlesboro, Ky., Lockhart is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a master’s degree in Accountancy. She has served as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President of the ETSU Alumni Association Board and currently serves as a member of that board and of the board of the ETSU Foundation. She was inducted into the ETSU College of Business Hall of Fame in 2003. Renee and her husband of 30 years, Jess Lockhart, who has been with the Sullivan County Tennessee School Systems for 33 years, attend Chinquapin Grove Baptist Church.

Richard Tetrick, CEO of Heritage Partners, commented, “Renee Lockhart has been with the company for almost 30 years, and we don’t know of anyone more deserving of this position than Renee. We congratulate Renee in her newly elevated position.”

Rick Johnson, CEO of HP affiliates Tom M. Wages Funeral Services of Lawrenceville and Snellville, Ga., said, “What a great business decision for Heritage and a well-deserved honor for Renee. Not only does she possess a brilliant business mind, but her character makes her perfect for this position. This strengthens the stability of the entire company and solidifies our position in this competitive marketplace. It has been a pleasure working with Mr. Tetrick over the years, knowing him to be a fair-minded man of integrity, and it is comforting to know that Renee possesses these same characteristics. What a happy day for us all!”

Retired Heritage Vice President Sid Oakley of Bristol, Tenn., said, “Renee is a talented funeral service executive and a true friend. Knowing and working with her all these years has been a pleasure.”

Brady Perrigo, Managing Partner of HP, added, “Renee is a highly talented executive who has brought, and continues to bring, passion, energy, and experience to the Heritage family. She has a unique skillset that makes her an incredibly thoughtful leader in an evolving industry.”

About Heritage Partners

Headquartered in Elizabethton, Tenn., Heritage is one of the largest and fastest growing death-care service companies in the country. Today, the Heritage family is trending toward touching over 8,600 families this year through their more than 50 funeral homes, cemeteries and advanced planning and related services. For more information, visit www.heritagepartnerships.com.