MEET THE TEAM
Welcome
We’re excited to meet you!
Below you’ll find the members of your PIMS Team who will assist you during your tenure as a student at PIMS. Each member of the team provides specific, task related duties. We encourage an open communication between our students and the PIMS administrative staff.
Local Phone Number: 412-362-8500, extensions provided below.
Toll Free Number: 1-800-933-5808
Fax: 412-362-1684
THE PIMS FAMILY:
Dr. Barry Lease
President, Chief Executive Officer, PIMS Board Member
Contact information:
• Email: blease@pims.edu
• Telephone Ext. 106
Dr. Lease’s focus to enable student success at PIMS is to serve as the administrator of all functional operations at the Institute. In his role as President/CEO, Dr. Lease is invested in managing the business and operational affairs of the Institute, as well as maintaining accreditation status and compliance with regulations of the state and other governing bodies. Additionally, Dr. Lease oversees the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiative tasked by the PIMS Board of Directors. As a member of the Board at the school, Dr. Lease is also involved in resource allocations, strategic planning, and development. Finally, Dr. Lease specifically oversees the Funeral Service Skills Practicum program certifying this experiential aspect of a student’s education at PIMS has been achieved. Finally, Dr. Lease affectionately embraces his role as a key assistant in the training and development of Winifred Valentine–the PIMS New Director of Love and Affection. In that role, Dr. Lease takes Winnie on long walks, helps out with bathroom breaks, and in general, just loves “hanging out, petting, and loving on” his “bestie.”
Fun fact: Dr. Lease is an avid fan of thoroughbred horse racing and actually builds his own professional handicapping models. Paying homage to his favorite sport, Dr. Lease encourages everyone to “jump up on to the saddle and start your race;” hence his mantra for living is the famous call to post– “Riders Up”!
DEAN MICHAEL S. BURNS, M.Ed.
Dean of Faculty and Students
PRIMARY contact method method is messaging via Canvas. Other contacts include:
- Email: mburns@pims.edu
- Telephone Ext. 119
Mr. Burns’ role at PIMS is centered on supporting student success through a wide range of responsibilities in both faculty and student administration. His work includes, but is not limited to: overseeing curriculum and teaching, providing student support, encouraging an active campus life, supervising and developing faculty, and directing the Restorative Art Residency.
He is also a Certified Trainer for the prestigious Insight Institute Certified Celebrant Training Program, giving all PIMS students the unique opportunity to earn this professional designation while enrolled.
In practical terms, Dean Burns should be your first point of contact for academic or classroom concerns—unless your question relates specifically to the content of a particular course, in which case your instructor is the best resource. In addition, Dean Burns oversees the Clinical Embalming program, ensuring that this essential hands-on component of your education is successfully completed.
Fun Fact: Dean Burns claims he has never worked a day in his life. He considers the funeral profession his vocation, not a job. His Restorative Art students know his favorite saying very well, “Clean, firm, and dry,” but his words to live by are, “Everything you do effects someone else.”
Nicole Elachko, MBA
Registrar – Director of Administrative and Student Services
PRIMARY contact is nelachko@pims.edu.
Other contacts include:
- Canvas instant message
- Telephone Ext. 113
Mrs. Elachko is dedicated to helping students succeed at PIMS through her role as Registrar, where she certifies grades, tracks progress, issues transcripts, and manages class scheduling and bookstore resources.
As the Director of Administrative and Student Services, she leads the student services team in providing guidance with admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and business affairs. She’s also a familiar face for students who need support with the learning management system or student software, always ready to step in and help smooth out technical challenges.
Alumni may also know her as Sydney’s mom—Sydney was the first therapy dog at PIMS, who brought comfort and joy to campus before her recent retirement.
Fun Fact: When she isn’t at PIMS, Mrs. Elachko is surrounded by her love of houseplants. With more than 30 thriving plants at home (all affectionately called her “babies”), she’s been steadily growing a collection on campus too—adding new greenery to the Institute periodically. Her guiding motto in life comes from Dr. Richard Carlson’s book: “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s ALL small stuff.”
ANNIE L. CERUTTI
Business Office Advisor – Social Media Coordinator – P/T Faculty
PRIMARY contact is acerutti@pims.edu.
Other contacts include:
- Canvas instant message
- Telephone Ext. 101
Ms. Cerutti’s focus to enable student success at PIMS is as the member of the Student Services Team who can specifically assist you with business office affairs (e.g. bill paying). As a P/T Faculty member, you will have classes with Ms. Cerutti and she also may serve as a point of contact for platform technical issues unrelated to specific course content or course issues. Additionally, Ms. Cerutti is creatively involved in assisting with marketing efforts and coordinating PIMS social media platforms.
Fun Fact: Ms. Cerutti is obsessed with her 3 cats and her black Dodge Challenger (she has yet to get a speeding ticket… knock on wood)! She has watched The Office SO many times that she has lost count and has worked “That’s what she said” into so many conversations that SO many eyes have rolled. Her personal claim to fame is that she has never had a cavity, hence due to her obsession with clean teeth, she does not have time to consider such existential ideas as life mantras or mottos. Ms. Cerutti’s quote to live by are words spoken by the iconic Michael Scott from The Office, he said, “Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.”
CECILIA OBERMEIER
Admission Advisor
PRIMARY contact is admissions@pims.edu.
Other contacts include:
- Canvas instant message
- Telephone Ext. 107
Ms. Obermeier’s focus is to enable student success at PIMS by providing admissions advisement, guiding prospective students, recruitment, and orientation. Prospective students get to know Ms. Obermeier through the application process, and she can help enrolled students understand state licensing rules and other administrative tasks. Additionally, Ms. Obermeier assists with the Restorative Art Residency lab, acts as a clinical embalming proctor, and is a part of the social media and merchandise team.
Fun fact: Ms. Obermeier lived most of her life in Pittsburgh, and know many great spots for food, culture, and fun. She has two daughters who remind her to keep a positive mentality and embrace the silliness in life. Her motto is from author Michelle McNamara—“It’s chaos, be kind.”
Nick Ricci
F/T Faculty
PRIMARY contact information is available through IM of Canvas. Other contacts include:
- Email: nricci@pims.edu
- Telephone ext. 108
Mr. Ricci’s focus to enable student success at PIMS is as a full-time faculty member who teaches both online and on campus. While his primary duties are teaching, Mr. Ricci also plays a key role in providing technical education and mentoring for the Clinical Embalming Program, Restorative Art Residency, and First Call/Decedent Transfer seminar (otherwise known as “Rescue Randy” day) at the Institute. Finally, Mr. Ricci also helps out with general administrative assisting tasks at the Institute and provides an assist to Ms. Cerutti in managing our social media presence.
Fun Fact: Mr. Ricci is a huge football fan. Believe it or not, he is impartial to the Pittsburgh Steelers. His motto in life relates to football; “Whether you are winning or losing in life, something positive can always be found”.
Maria Sproull
Student Success Advisor – P/T Faculty
PRIMARY contact information is available through IM of Canvas. Other contacts include:
- Email: msproull@pims.edu
- Telephone Ext. 104
Mrs. Sproull’s focus to enable student success at PIMS is to provide general advisement and help with licensure requirements. You will most likely work with Mrs. Sproull upon completing practicum requirements, licensure requirements and overall she is a great resource for any general inquiry. If she does not know, she will get you to the right person!
Fun Fact: Before Mrs. Sproull went to mortuary school she was trained as a theater costumer. She is a expert with a sewing machine and still works in entertainment as much as possible. She has shadowed backstage for many Broadway Across America performances including: Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, and La Cage Aux Folles. Her life motto that comes from La Cage Aux Folles is “What you believe about yourself on the inside is what you will manifest on the outside.”
JENETT MOYER, MA
Student Support Specialist
PRIMARY contact via email at jmoyer@pims.edu.
Other contacts include:
- Canvas instant message
- Telephone Ext. 105
Ms. Moyer focuses on several facets of student success at PIMS. They include Student Financial Aid, Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, ensuring compliance with Title IX and complaint handling. She also devotes much time to ensuring PIMS policies are student-centered, and easy to understand and follow. As the Senior Financial Aid Administrator, Ms. Moyer manages the PIMS financial aid programs. She ensures compliance with school policies and guidelines as well as Federal and State rules and regulations. She helps students stay on their path to graduation by preparing Federal Student Aid packages, such as student loans and eligibility based federal grants, as well as working with third parties like Vocational Rehabilitation offices and State grants. Ms. Moyer collaborates with the Coordinator and Registrar to ensure successful operation of PIMS administration.
Fun fact: Ms. Moyer has been to over 20 different Amusement Parks including ones in Denver, CO and Toronto, ON and once rode the same roller coaster 16 times in a row. Her motto in life is a quote from Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Chelsea Cush, MS
F/T Faculty
PRIMARY contact information is available through IM of Canvas. Other contacts include:
- Email: ccush@pims.edu
Ms. Cush’s focus to enable student success at PIMS is as a full-time faculty member teaching both online and on campus. Ms. Cush spends a lot of time educating students in the classroom and is also an educator for other PIMS experiences such as in the Care Center as an embalming instructor and in the Restorative Arts residency. Ms. Cush strives to promote an atmosphere that allows for all students to succeed. One of her ongoing projects is the PIMS Closet where students can ‘shop’ for professional attire before heading out for job interviews or internships. Ms. Cush also serves as the faculty advisor for the Student Senate and has helped the students to organize many community outreach events. She also assists with general administrative tasks and social media for the school.
Fun Fact: Ms. Cush has been practicing yoga for the last 10 years and has mastered quite a few poses. While yoga is a powerful practice for the body, it has an even greater impact on the mind, teaching us to breathe deeply and move with intention and gratitude in every aspect of our lives. “Namaste” teaches us to honor the light and love in every person we meet, which inspired Ms. Cush’s mantra to live by: “I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.”
Kelchis Radziewicz
Financial Aid Advisor
PRIMARY contact information is available through IM of Canvas. Other contacts include:
- Email: kradziewicz@pims.edu
- Telephone Ext. 111
Ms. Kelchis’s focus to enable student success at PIMS is to provide guidance as a student Financial Aid Advisor. She helps students understand their financial aid eligibility and the best options to suit their individual needs. Ms. Kelchis also assists with general administrative tasks. She is a proud PIMS graduate and a licensed funeral director in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Fun Fact: Ms. Kelchis is OBSESSED with dogs, especially beagles! She has two troublemaking beagles of her own, Bennie and Thunder, that she spends most of her free time training. Stop by her office to talk about dog training or just to see some cute dog photos.
Her motto: “When you’re scared but you still do it anyway, that’s brave.”—Neil Gaiman, Coraline
Katelynn Schooley, MHA
F/T Faculty
PRIMARY contact information is available through IM of Canvas. Other contacts include:
- Email: kschooley@pims.edu
- Telephone Ext. 109
Ms. Schooley’s focus to enable student success at PIMS is as Care Center Coordinator, LMS Assistant, and Full-time faculty both online and campus. Ms. Schooley teaches some science courses and is a clinical embalming instructor in our Care Center, where she helps students strive towards success. As Care Center Coordinator she helps the students with the PIMS Weekly Deep Clean. This helps to keep our facility in pristine condition and shows the importance of a clean and organized care center. She assists with the Restorative Arts Residency and First Call/ Decedent Transfer seminar. Ms. Schooley also helps with questions regarding our Learning management System, Canvas.
Fun Fact: Ms. Schooley really enjoys going on international service trips. Her favorite places so far have been Zambia, Africa and Haiti.
The saying “It always seems impossible until it’s done”, it essentially means that many challenges and goals initially appear insurmountable, but through determination and effort, they can be achieved.
John N. Elachko III.
P/T Faculty – LMS Coordinator – Web Administrator
PRIMARY contact information is available through IM of Canvas. Other contacts include:
- Email: jelachko@pims.edu
Mr. Elachko keeps PIMS connected and running smoothly—both in the classroom and behind the scenes. As LMS Coordinator and Web Administrator, he makes sure Canvas and the PIMS website are smooth, engaging, and always ready for students. He also teaches courses including General Psychology, Psychology of Grief, Death & Children, Regulatory Compliance, and World Religions. Outside PIMS, Mr. Elachko is a third-generation funeral director and supervisor at John N. Elachko Funeral Home, combining professionalism, empathy, and community service. His background in social services and a degree from Duquesne University has given him a unique approach to help others.
Fun Fact: Mr. Elachko likes to collect rare memorabilia from across the Star Wars galaxy. He also known to plan his next Disney World trip for the immersive experiences and finding more collectibles.
A true Jedi at heart, John lives by Yoda’s words: “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”
Patrick McGowan
P/T Faculty
PRIMARY contact information is available through IM of Canvas.
Mr. McGowan has been teaching Funeral Management at PIMS for more than 30 years, preparing students for the rewarding journey of funeral service. He shares real-world knowledge gained from decades of funeral directing and embalming, helping students understand both the technical skills and the compassionate heart needed for this profession. His approach reflects his belief that funeral service professionals are “the caretakers of the dead and caregivers to the living.” Outside the classroom, Mr. McGowan owns and operates a funeral home in Pittsburgh and serves as a trade embalmer for several other area funeral homes. He is an active member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association, Allegheny County Funeral Directors Association, and the British Institute of Embalmers. He has also served as President of the ACFDA, is a Certified Funeral Celebrant, and has contributed to key industry publications, including What is a Cemetery? and Funeral Directing & Funeral Service Management.
Fun Fact: When he’s not serving families or teaching, Mr. McGowan enjoys hitting the golf course, always chasing that perfect swing.
Jason Catalfu
P/T Faculty
PRIMARY contact information is available through IM of Canvas
Mr. Catalfu brings both expertise and compassion to his role at PIMS, drawing from his work as Funeral Director at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home. A graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and Point Park University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree, Jason blends professional excellence with a dedication to supporting families during their most difficult moments. In addition to his funeral directing work, Mr. Catalfu is a Certified Life Celebrant and a Certified Crematory Operator through CANA, NFDA, and Matthews. His wide-ranging experience ensures that students learn not only the technical aspects of funeral service but also the human connection that defines the profession.
Fun Fact: Mr. Catalfu is passionate about creating meaningful, personalized services that celebrate life, a skill that often leads him to craft unique tributes tailored to each family’s story.
Winifred "Winnie" Valentine
Director of Love and Emotional Support for Students
Contact information:
- She is working on her recall, but you can bribe her with treats.
Winnie is a Pomsky, who has quickly become a beloved presence at PIMS. She’s been “coming to work” with her mom (Annie) since her first week home and is already bringing smiles, comfort, and calm to students and staff alike.
Winnie is currently training to become a certified therapy dog. Once certified, she’ll officially provide emotional support to those studying at PIMS. Of course, she’s already doing just that—one tail wag and cuddle at a time!
Winnie perfectly represents the PIMS motto: “Follow your Servant’s Heart.” With her gentle nature and loving spirit, she reminds us that even the smallest companions can make the biggest impact.
Fun Fact:
Winnie is currently learning to be a “Canine Good Citizen (CGC)” the first step in her training, but in the meantime, enjoys cuddling with her mom, going for long walks with her BFF Dr. Lease, and romping around in any water she finds.
Sydney
Director of Love and Emotional Support, Emeritus
After years of dedicated service, Sydney has officially retired from her full-time duties—but her impact on PIMS will never fade. Known for using her herding background to “nudge” students in the right direction, Sydney had an uncanny ability to sense when someone needed a little extra love. Her remedy was simple yet effective: offer a warm presence and request just a scratch or two behind her ears in return.
Though she’s no longer making daily rounds, Sydney remains a cherished member of the PIMS family. Her legacy of comfort, encouragement, and unwavering loyalty continues to inspire our new Director of Love and Emotional Support, Winifred “Winnie” Valentine.
Fun Fact: Sydney still proudly responds to “Who’s a good girl?”—and the answer will always be, “You are, Sydney!” She also enjoys long naps in cozy spots and never misses an opportunity to beg for a snack.
Click here to watch a day in my life supporting our students and staff!
ANY MEMBER OF THE PIMS TEAM IS EAGER TO ASSIST YOU DURING YOUR TENURE AS A DE STUDENT AT PIMS. IT IS OUR PRIVILEGE TO BE PART OF HELPING YOU OBTAIN YOUR GOAL TO BECOME A FUNERAL SERVICE PROFESSIONAL!