Starmark, a leading manufacturer and innovator of funeral products, has announced the appointment of Arie Elder to vice president of merchandising. Elder has served customers in several leadership positions across the organization, loves funeral professionals, and has a lifetime passion for marketing and merchandising.

The title change matches Elder’s current responsibilities of helping funeral product distributors and funeral professionals improve their merchandising for superior financial performance, better environmental stewardship, and more satisfied families.

"I am delighted to share the news that Arie has been appointed as the vice president of merchandising for Starmark," said Justin Davis, president of Starmark Funeral Products. “Arie's extensive knowledge of funeral service, his experience working to improve the financial health of thousands of funeral professionals, and his understanding of bereavement meet the demands of great funeral service merchandising.”

Elder received a bachelor of business administration in marketing from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has been a valuable member of the Starmark team for the past decade.