PFDA Staff Directory
Adam Shaffer
Executive Director
Adam Shaffer became the Executive Director of PFDA and Unichoice Cooperative Inc. in May of 2025. Adam joined PFDA after an extensive career in the Pennsylvania Funeral Industry. Adam attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where he graduated with honors before enrolling in Point Park University to finish his degree. In early 2006 he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Point Park University and immediately began serving his internship at the Thomas L. Nied Funeral Home. When his internship was complete Adam accepted a funeral directing job with the Hoffman Funeral Home and Crematory (at that time HoffmanRoth) where he served as a funeral director, manager, and supervisor until January of 2024.
Adam also spent one year in the Philadelphia area working for Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company as a select producer for seven funeral homes in four counties.
Wesley Rish, Esquire
General Counsel
Attorney Rish began working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1997 as an assistant counsel to the Office of Inspector General where he supervised investigations into fraud, waste, abuse, and employee misconduct occurring in executive agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction and contractors to executive agencies. At the Office of Inspector General, Attorney Rish gained a broad knowledge of Commonwealth government agencies and their processes and procedures.
From 2007 to 2012, Attorney Rish served Governor Rendell and Governor Corbett as Chief Counsel to the Office of Inspector General.
In 2012, Attorney Rish became a board counsel within the Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. Attorney Rish was legal counsel to the Board of Medicine, the Board of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Board of Funeral Directors. He has represented other licensing boards, including the Board of Psychology, the Board of Auctioneer Examiners, and the Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers, and Salespersons. As board counsel, Attorney Rish advised Board Staff and Board Members regarding applications, licensure qualifications, provisional denials, reinstatements, regulations, and practice acts. He conducted disciplinary, provisional denial appeal, and reinstatement hearings on behalf of the Board. Attorney Rish successfully represented the licensing boards to which he was assigned on numerous appeals before the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. Given his experience and his commitment to always treating others with dignity and respect, licensees, numerous attorneys, hospitals, medical practices, funeral establishments, professional associations, and others frequently sought his assistance on various licensing matters.
Abigail S. Bennett
Administrative Assistant
Abby updates/maintains the PFDA website & social media, creates marketing materials, and organizes many different programs. She creates and maintains all PFDA CE records, along with other general office duties and procedures. One of the many voices you will hear when calling PFDA.
Abby comes from having worked in another associations, MABX and PASBO. She has been with PFDA since 2016 and has since gotten married and had two boys, Beau & Archie. Abby and her family enjoy being outside, camping and spending time at Lake Raystown, which is where she got married. Abby's son Beau was diagnosed with Autism and she spends much of her time advocating and volunteering for various organizations that support children like hers.
Lisa Fraelich
Membership Coordinator
Lisa is in the Membership Coordinator position, managing all membership-related data. She processes new and renewing memberships, assists with membership recruitment and outreach campaigns, and helps to promote PFDA services, resources and benefits. She performs other duties as needed to support membership development.
Alisha Instasi
Meeting and Events Coordinator
Alisha is the Meetings and Events Coordinator for the PFDA. In her role, she collaborates with members, speakers, and vendors to plan PFDA’s events, conferences, and continuing education programs. Alisha is passionate about creating meaningful experiences that bring people together and support the work of funeral service professionals.
She has a background in healthcare and helping and interacting with people is what she loves most about her job. Outside of work, Alisha is a proud mom to Nicholas and Lyla and loves spending her free time with them.
Deb Miller
SecurChoice Senior Trust Administrator
Deb manages the preneed trust. She handles the day-to-day processing of trust claims and banking.
Emilie Rudder
SecurChoice Trust Administrative Assistant
Emilie assists Deb in the SecurChoice office.
