Ending up in the family business was never in my plans. I left the Solano County area three weeks after I graduated from Fairfield High School. Over a span of 12 years I spent time in Chico, San Diego and San Francisco, finishing my BA in Organizational Communication at SFSU. During that time I also completed two Internships which took me to Iceland and Germany.

A sequence of events led me back to the Solano County area in 2013. I was offered the opportunity to work in the family business. With the intention of it being a temporary situation, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it here. My father always told me this profession was more of a “calling”, and not just a job. Each day that resonates with me more and more. 

Being able to contribute as the third generation in our family business and legacy is a gift that I do not take for granted. Witnessing my grandfather and father build this business from the ground up, it is an honor to follow in their footsteps. I recognize the reputation they have earned in our community over the past decades. I strive to continue to grow and expand enabling us to provide the most excellent service to our community.

We are a family business that fosters a warm and inviting work culture within our office; one which I hope carries to the families we serve. This position is a beautiful platform to be of service to people in such a vulnerable time in their lives. 

My husband and I live in Vacaville and are kept busy with our four young boys. Any spare time we have is spent doing some family activity – outside if possible. We place a high value on nature and the ability to appreciate and respect it. We do what we can to instill that in our boys. 

"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." - Albert Einstein

Contact Jenna directly at [email protected]

I don’t think I have ever met someone who grew up thinking, “I want to be a funeral director when I grow up,” and I was no exception to this. I have always worked in the restaurant business since the age of 15, and when I was presented a job at Bryan-Braker Funeral Home to become the death certificate specialist, I was some what intrigued. 

I decided to take this job and start my career in 2015. I went back to school and am currently on track to finish my AA in Psychology. I have been told that I am a highly self-motivated individual who is always pushing myself to go above and beyond for anyone. After about a year of doing death certificates, I decided to obtain my license to sell burial insurance to enable me to meet with families for their pre-arrangement needs. Once getting a taste of working with families, I then was determined to obtain my funeral director license. Having these accomplishments facilitated my promotion to a Funeral Director in 2016.

This is where my experience of 15 years of customer service could shine through. I could help families in their most delicate time of need and make the passing of a loved one an easier experience. I take pride in my upbringing and how being so organized and prompt could touch someone’s life and help them through this difficult time. I can’t tell you how many times I am asked, “How do you do this job?” The answer is simple… at the very end a family will turn to you with tears in their eyes and say two simple words… “Thank you.” This statement makes everything I do worthwhile.

Another way I decided to touch people lives in a positive manner was becoming a group fitness coach by teaching cycling classes at a local gym. This is a wonderful environment for me to really let my outgoing and bubbly personality loose. While I’m not in the office or teaching cycling, my Chihuahua, Twinkle, and I share a passion for hiking. In my down time my husband and I enjoy cooking and relaxing. 

You can email Nicole directly at [email protected]

I was born and raised in Old Town Suisun, so I am a native to the area Bryan-Braker serves. I started working in the funeral industry at Bryan-Braker in 2016 after graduating from the American River College of Mortuary Science. Not many of us can say they found what they were meant to do, and I feel like I can honestly say that being a mortician is my calling.

I believe my 19 years in customer service has helped me become a team player and a real people person at Bryan Braker. I enjoy meeting, and creating a trusting, comfortable relationship with the families I serve. 

“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally. It comes from what you do consistently.” 

You may email Shannon directly at [email protected]

My life has led me in different ways to enjoy many aspects of it. Athletically, I swam competitively for approximately for 14 years, through youth all the way up to University of the Pacific, in Stockton, CA.

In my first professional career, I was a Dentist, for approximately 23 years, graduating from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco, CA. It was a wonderful career, but I felt I needed a change in how I cared for people. While getting my Master’s Degree prior to Dentistry, I got a taste for the Funeral Industry, by working part time, which I enjoyed greatly. 

This led to my next career of being a Funeral Director for the Bryan-Braker Funeral Home. I have now been here at Bryan-Braker for 15 years. With my caring values, this fit well into how I wanted to continue my career. I feel that being a Funeral Director gives me a wonderful opportunity to be able to help individuals and families in such a low and difficult portion of their life. Not only do I care for families here at Bryan-Braker, I also facilitate a “GriefShare” program through my church to help individuals “Journey Through Their Grief”.

When I am not in the office, I love being with my family, training and showing our Vizsla dogs, being a big Disney enthusiast and riding my tractor on our property. I have been called “Green Acres” many times. Again, I fell that I am honored to be able to work in this industry.  

Contact Greg directly at [email protected]

“The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others.” —Mahatma Gandhi

 I have been a successful business owner in Solano County for more than 10 years. I have enjoyed many years of supporting my children and grandchildren achieve their many successes, while pursuing a personal goal of attaining my Master’s degree in marriage and family counselling. I currently serve as the 911 counselor at my church through common care counseling and administrate the Live Free Healing ministry counselor’s locally.

I came to be at Bryan- Braker through a dear friend that thought I would be a good fit. I feel honored to serve our families during their most difficult decisions. Helping to facilitate our loved ones desires is a privilege I hold dear.

I feel blessed to do what I love and see each new day as an opportunity to make a difference.

Contact JoAnn directly at [email protected]

I started working at Bryan-Braker Funeral Home in August of 2021. I’d been selling shoes for the previous 5 years, so I was pretty nervous to walk into completely uncharted territory. I was embraced by the rest of the staff with open arms, and they were all more than happy to answer my questions, which seem to never stop popping up. 

I feel very called to this profession, and I try to appreciate each moment that I get to spend helping families in the community that I’ve lived in my entire life. I’ve learned here that kindness and compassion are some of the best medicines in people’s lives and it’s an honor to be able to lend a helping hand to those in need. 

When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with family and friends, going to concerts, and adventuring around Northern California. 

Contact Alex directly at [email protected]

I lived my childhood years in Napa and then moved to Fairfield to start the life I have now. I am the middle child and brother of 3 sisters. I come from a big family and I love spending time with them. One of my favorite things to do is exploring places I haven’t been to. Whether it’s a new city or a hiking trial, I’m always down for the adventure. 

In March 2023, a friend asked me if I was interested in working at a funeral home. At first, I was skeptical about it, but I was willing to try new things. Turns out that opportunity was the start of my career at Bryan-Braker. 

I am a Vacaville native but have spent some time living in Sacramento, New York and Massachusetts. I have held a vast variety of jobs from working at the local baseball stadium, to being a flight attendant, and working in banking. I found myself working for Bryan-Braker Funeral home by chance; and it has been truly an amazing fit! I find that my patience and empathy make me able help families through the process of saying goodbye to their loved ones with care and compassion. I am honored to be a part of the Bryan-Braker family because it allows me an opportunity to work with some wonderful people and to truly help our patrons.

When I am not in the office I spend all of my time with my family and friends, especially my children. Always on the go and loving every minute!  

Contact Chelsea directly at [email protected]

After 46 years of a career in hospitality management and wrestling with the idea of retirement, I felt I had more to offer yet in my life. After speaking with Craig I recognized we shared the same passion for serving our community and the families in it. It is an honor to be on this side of service as people depend on the most passionate and compassionate service professionals at this time in their lives. I am blessed to continue service in this organization.

I joined Brayn-Braker Funeral Home in March 2019. I have never been prouder to be associated with such a dedicated and honorable group of individuals that make our team of professionals. Had it not been for this dedication to families and community that is displayed here at Bryan-Braker I would have stayed retired. I am thankful every day that I was able to join such a fine organization. 

Contact Kevin at [email protected]

My greatest professional achievement is working with Bryan-Braker for the 21 years. 

I believe my success in this profession comes from my strong work ethic and treating each family’s pain with the same compassion and respect as if it were my own. 

In my free time I enjoy my beautiful wife and four children, our cats, dogs and working in my garden. 

You may email Jose at [email protected]

I am the groundskeeper at Fairmont Memorial Park. I enjoy my job here and do my best to keep the cemetery looking great!

Contact Alex directly at [email protected]

Please see Debbie's full bio on our Bereavement Support page