Landmark Funeral Group names Jackie Short COO

Landmark Funeral Group has appointed Jackie Short as chief operating officer as the company expands its network of locally owned funeral homes. Short brings multi-site leadership experience from Headlands Research, Marathon Health and other healthcare operators as Landmark invests in systems and leadership support for partner firms.

Why it matters: - Landmark Funeral Group is adding an executive with deep multi-site operations experience as it expands its network of locally owned funeral homes. - The hire is aimed at strengthening local leadership, operating systems and support for funeral homes that want to keep their identity while growing.

What happened: - Landmark Funeral Group appointed Jackie Short as chief operating officer. - Short joins Landmark from Headlands Research, where she was chief operating officer of a private equity-backed clinical research network operating in the U.S. and Canada. - Landmark announced the move on August 11, 2026, from Toledo, Ohio.

The details: - Short will oversee operations across Landmark’s partner firms. - Her priorities include developing local leadership, building scalable operating models and reinforcing the cultural foundation across the network. - Landmark wants funeral directors and their teams to have the resources and operating structure needed to serve families well. - The company also wants each funeral home to keep its autonomy and identity. - Short has led multi-site organizations through rapid growth, integration and operational transformation. - At Marathon Health, she served as vice president of central operations and guided the merger of Marathon Health and Our Health during the COVID-19 pandemic. - She also held regional and division leadership roles at DaVita Kidney Care and Trilogy Health Services. - Landmark said the appointment reflects continued investment in leadership and operational excellence for its growing network. - The company said it is strengthening the systems and local leadership that allow each funeral home to preserve its legacy while serving families in the community. - Landmark’s announcement includes a link to more information.

Between the lines: - The hire signals that Landmark is prioritizing professional management infrastructure as it scales. - Short’s background in healthcare operations suggests Landmark is looking for someone accustomed to complex, service-heavy environments with strong local teams. - The message to partner funeral homes is clear: growth will be paired with support, not centralization.

What's next: - Short is expected to help build the operating foundation for Landmark’s next phase of growth. - Landmark will continue investing in tools, leadership and resources for independent funeral homes in its network. - The company said its goal is to help local teams focus on serving families while the broader organization handles scale and support.