Carriage Services Announces Executive Promotions Aligned with 2030 Vision and Long-Term Growth Strategy
Rhea-AI Summary
Carriage Services (NYSE: CSV) announced executive promotions and appointments effective Feb 2, 2026, aligned with its 2030 Vision and long-term growth strategy. Steve Metzger is promoted to President & Chief Operating Officer overseeing Operations, Sales, Marketing, and M&A. Rene Negrete joins as Vice President of Operations; Sam A. Mazzu, III is promoted to Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary; Christine Ngo to Vice President of Human Resources; and Alfred White to Vice President of Marketing. CFO John Enwright gains expanded oversight of Information Technology and Supply Chain. The company said these changes support three strategic objectives: Purposeful Growth, Relentless Improvement, and Empowered Partnership, and aim to scale operations while reinforcing culture and service delivery.
Positive
- COO promotion unifies Operations, Sales, Marketing, and M&A under Steve Metzger
- CFO oversight expansion adds IT and Supply Chain to financial stewardship
- Executive team additions (Negrete, Mazzu, Ngo, White) strengthen operations, legal, HR, and marketing
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
CSV gained 1.36% while peers were mixed: WW up 1.79%, MED up 0.25%, BFAM down 0.40%, STON and EM flat. Moves appear stock-specific rather than a broad personal-services rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 05 | Quarterly earnings | Positive | +1.6% | Q3 2025 growth, EPS improvement, and guidance midpoint confirmation. |
| Oct 22 | Earnings scheduling | Neutral | -0.1% | Announcement of Q3 2025 earnings release date and conference call. |
| Oct 15 | Dividend declaration | Positive | -2.0% | Board declared quarterly cash dividend of 11.25¢ per share. |
| Sep 17 | M&A transaction | Positive | +3.1% | Acquisition of Faith Chapel in Pensacola expanding Florida presence. |
| Sep 09 | M&A transaction | Positive | -2.6% | Large Orlando-area acquisition reentering acquisition-based expansion. |
Recent news shows mixed but generally constructive reactions: solid earnings and one acquisition aligned with positive price moves, while a dividend and another acquisition saw short-term pullbacks, suggesting investor responses vary by deal and capital return context.
Over the last six months, Carriage Services reported solid Q3 2025 results with revenue of $102.7M and confirmed 2025 guidance, which was followed by a modestly positive price reaction. The company also announced multiple Florida acquisitions aligned with its 2030 Vision, with one deal producing a positive move and another a short-term decline. A regular quarterly dividend of 11.25¢ per share and standard earnings call scheduling rounded out the period, framing today’s leadership promotions as part of an ongoing growth and portfolio-reshaping strategy.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details a broad leadership realignment effective February 2, 2026, tying executive roles directly to Carriage’s 2030 Vision and focus on purposeful growth. New and promoted leaders will oversee operations, marketing, M&A, legal, and human resources across a footprint of 155 funeral homes and 28 cemeteries. Investors may track how this structure supports integration of recent acquisitions, cultural initiatives, and ongoing performance improvement highlighted in prior quarterly results.
Key Terms
m&a financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
HOUSTON, Jan. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carriage Services, Inc. (NYSE: CSV) today announced a series of executive leadership promotions and appointments that reflect the Company’s continued momentum and its deliberate efforts over the past several years to build a durable foundation for sustained growth.
Over the last three years, Carriage Services has focused on stabilizing the business, reinforcing its culture, improving performance, and restoring momentum. This work has positioned the Company to move forward with confidence, discipline, and clarity as it advances toward its 2030 Vision.
“These leadership moves are the result of intentional work to create the right foundation for sustainable, purposeful growth, and a culture of meritocracy,” said Carlos Quezada, Vice Chairman and CEO of Carriage Services. “As we move forward, alignment at the leadership level is essential to executing our strategy while remaining deeply committed to our culture and our Passion for Service.”
Effective February 2, 2026:
- Steve Metzger has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer, assuming responsibility for Operations, Sales, Marketing, and M&A, with a focus on alignment across execution and growth initiatives.
- Rene Negrete has joined Carriage Services as Vice President of Operations, bringing more than two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and operations leadership within the funeral and cemetery profession. Rene’s background in driving sustainable growth, building performance-driven cultures, and elevating customer experience further supports Carriage Services’ long-term growth ambitions.
- Sam A. Mazzu, III has been promoted to Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, continuing to lead Carriage Services’ legal function with a disciplined, partnership-oriented approach to governance and risk stewardship.
- Christine Ngo has been promoted to Vice President of Human Resources, expanding her leadership role in developing people, culture, and performance excellence across the organization.
- Alfred White has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing, continuing to elevate Carriage’s brand, voice, and connection with families and communities.
In addition, John Enwright, Chief Financial Officer, has assumed expanded responsibility with oversight of Information Technology and Supply Chain, further aligning financial discipline with the systems and infrastructure that support long-term value creation.
Messrs. Negrete, Mazzu, and White, and Ms. Ngo, will join the Carriage Services Executive Team, reflecting the Company’s belief that strong leadership across people, governance, brand, and operations is essential to delivering premier experiences.
“This new leadership structure directly supports Carriage’s three strategic objectives: Purposeful Growth, Relentless Improvement, and Empowered Partnership,” Quezada added. “They position us to scale responsibly, invest in our people, and consistently deliver meaningful experiences for the families and communities we serve, all in service of our 2030 Vision.”
With a clear strategy, a committed leadership team, and a strong cultural foundation, Carriage Services continues to move forward with confidence and intention.
About Carriage Services:
Carriage Services is a leading provider of funeral and cemetery services and merchandise in the United States. Carriage operated 155 funeral homes in 24 states and 28 cemeteries in 9 states as of December 31, 2025. It is dedicated to delivering premier experiences through innovation, partnership, and elevated service.
For additional information please contact:
Investors: Betina Bruno, Senior Financial Analyst. (713) 332-8954
Media: Alfred White, Vice President of Marketing. (713) 332-8458
Cautionary Statement
Certain statements made herein or elsewhere by, or on behalf of, Carriage (the "Company") that are not historical facts are intended to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable; however, many important factors, as discussed under "Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Statements" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, could cause the Company's results in the future to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein and in any other documents or oral presentations made by, or on behalf of, the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. A copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other information about the Company and news releases, are available at https://www.carriageservices.com.
FAQ
When do Carriage Services' executive promotions take effect for CSV?
Who is Carriage Services' new President and Chief Operating Officer (CSV)?
What new responsibilities did CFO John Enwright assume at Carriage Services (CSV)?
Which executives joined the Carriage Services executive team in 2026 (CSV)?
How do the leadership changes relate to Carriage Services' strategic goals for CSV?
How many funeral homes and cemeteries did Carriage Services operate as of Dec 31, 2025 (CSV)?
