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Craig Bryan President / Owner
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Jenna Bryan Stewart Vice President / General Manager
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. Seeing 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 and the confidence they have in my abilities to continue to provide growth as a company which enable 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 filters 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] -
Nicole McGown Office Supervisor / Funeral Director / Pre-Arrangement Counselor
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] -
Shannon Parra Funeral Director / Lead Embalmer / Pre-Arrangement Counselor
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] -
Greg Boyko Funeral Director / Pre-Arrangement Counselor / Company Ambassador
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.
You may email Greg directly at [email protected] -
JoAnn Moore Funeral Arranger
“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. -
Alex Santiago Funeral Arranger
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. -
Thomas Baxley Funeral Arranger
I’m a second-generation San Franciscan, having lived in Northern California my entire life except for my service as a medic in the U.S. Army. After my military service, I worked at the VA Hospital in San Francisco, caring for wounded and ill veterans.
After years of working with and mentoring others, I discovered my calling of working with families during the most difficult time of their lives: the loss of a loved one, and how worthwhile it is to be of service to them.
Early last year, my wife Jane and I moved to Vacaville from the Bay Area. We enjoy hiking, running, riding our bikes and spending time with family and friends. We love it here and have made this our permanent home. I enjoy performing in theater productions, appearing in the occasional commercial, and I recently joined the Solano Symphony Orchestra, focusing on community outreach.
I am proud to be a part this amazing team of professionals. It is an honor and a privilege to serve our families. -
Cam Novak Funeral Support Staff
Hello! I’ve been with Bryan-Braker Funeral Home since April of 2022. I absolutely love how I feel right at home and how seamlessly I was incorporated into their “family” in such a short time. I am thankful to be working with such marvelous people.
It takes a caring and unique person to be able to help families during their toughest times and it is an honor to be able to have this quality. I never thought I'd be offered this position and be able to help the community in such a special way.
I have a cat named Noodle who I absolutely adore! I start my morning every day with a Pomegranate Raspberry Green Tea from Dutch Brothers.
“True compassion means not only feeling another's pain but also being moved to help relieve it.”- Daniel Goleman -
Michael Basco Funeral Support Staff
I came to Bryan-Braker in January 2022 through the referral of a friend and current employee. I knew nothing about the funeral home industry and never would have sought out a job with one on my own. I have 15 years of management experience working jobs in the Vacaville and Fairfield area over the last 21 years and wasn’t sure if this was going to be a good fit for me. As it turned out I fit right in, everyone here made me feel like part of a family, they are all very kind and caring.
I feel like I found what I was meant to do. Being able to help families while they are dealing with the loss of a loved one is very rewarding, I feel it is a huge privilege and an honor to be in a position to help.
After a month and a half of working here my older brother passed away. It was a very difficult time coming to work for the weeks that followed. Everyone here showed me a lot of love and support and helped me and my family facilitate everything for my brother.
When I’m not at work, you can find me attached at the hip to my better half. We spend a lot of time with our dog Bonnie taking walks, going on hikes or relaxing at the dog park. When I have time, I enjoy playing videogames, watching movies or shows, and going to the theater. I also enjoy listening to music and podcasts, cooking and baking, doing yard work and spending time with family. -
Krystle Nester Funeral Support Staff
Life has taken me down multiple paths in my life. I started working at 13 for my grandmothers company, this is where I learned the importance of customer service. I worked at a bank for 10 years, during that time I had the opportunity to attain my EMT License. I had the ability to work both for the bank and I worked/taught students as an EMT for Nevada County. I was given the opportunity to leave the banking work and be a stay at home mom for the first 2 Years. As I was at home with my Son I went back to school to obtain my Beautician License, and currently looking into schooling to become a mortician.
I started with Bryan-Braker June 2022 and I really enjoying working for a company that makes you feel like you are part of the family right away. My years of customer service has helped me to be able to serve our families in the most professional way I know how to. I feel honored to be able to serve, and help the families as best I can during their time of need.
I have learned in life that there is no goal that is too big to achieve. As long as you put in the hard work that is needed that goal can become a reality.
“Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” —Mary Kay Ash -
Kevin Johnson Crematory Operator, Cemetery Support
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. -
Alex Trammell Cemetery Groundkeeper, Cemetery Support
I am the groundskeeper at Fairmont Memorial Park. I enjoy my job here and do my best to keep the cemetery looking great!
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Jose Avalos Maintenance Supervisor / Monument Installation / Funeral Director Support
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] -
Evelyn Mallory Accountant / Human Resources
“When we lose someone we love, we must learn NOT to live without them … BUT to live with the LOVE they left behind…”
I received this quote from a co-worker here at Bryan Braker Funeral Home after the passing of my mother and I refer to it often as my father too, has joined her once again.
This is simple example of the small, yet special, things the staff does daily for the families we meet. I often share that those in this profession are certainly “called” to be doing what they do; being supportive, informative, compassionate and always available to those who ask.
As I am behind the scenes; as the Accountant/HR since 2013, I try to extend these qualities to my fellow employees in the small details (yet very important) components that are necessary to be a successful business.
I have lived in California now for over 35 years after meeting my husband who served most of his US Air Force time right here at Travis Air Force Base. As retirement approaches we bowl often, both competitively and for fun – more numbers; who would have known! I enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and most important – living with the LOVE of visiting my daughter and family as often as I can.
You may email Evelyn directly at [email protected] -
Ron "Smitty" Smith IN LOVING MEMORY
Certified Phlebotomist through California.
Credited City of Suisun Youth and Adult Sports Coordinator.
Certified California High School Level Baseball Coach, including Concussion Awareness Certified, CPR certifications.
Here at Bryan-Braker since 2014, I have been dedicated to improving the quality of life for our community by providing exceptional programs, facilities, and service.
You may email Ron at [email protected] -
Chelsea Lacey Funeral Support Staff
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! -
Kaitlyn Elias Receptionist
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