Commander Initiative Vendor Partners Consist Of Industry Leaders

Inside The Initiative

The Commander Initiative is the solution for Independent Funeral Professionals to collectively gain access to volume discount purchasing directly from approved vendors. Our main concern was to provide viable, solid solutions to address the common challenges faced by small to mid-sized funeral homes. Our efforts are focused on empowering our members by providing them with access to cost-effective procurement options.

The Commander Initiative was established on July 21, 2018, by Eddie Pitt, President and CEO of Cooper Professionals LLC. Drawing on his extensive experience in executive-level positions with major corporate giants such as Service Corporation International, Stewart Enterprise, and Stonemor Corp, Mr. Pitt identified the need for a unified conglomerate purchasing hub to leverage the purchasing power of Independent Funeral Professionals.


The Commander Initiative provides a viable solution to reduce costs through volume purchases and cooperative networking. In its first year, the Initiative grew into a national network of leading independent funeral homes and funeral service providers, performing a combined total of over 18,000 services per year. The network continues to be committed to the concept of cooperative buying of essential products and services needed to run funeral homes, and major suppliers and vendors have responded positively to our initiative.

The Commander Initiative offers several prominent features that provide significant benefits to our members. These include:

• Reduced costs on education: We understand the importance of ongoing education in the funeral service industry. That's why we offer our members reduced costs on a variety of education options, including online courses, seminars, and workshops. Our members have access to high-quality education that can help them enhance their skills and stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and best practices.
• Shared out-of-town funeral opportunities: We know that funeral service professionals often receive requests for services outside their local area. The Commander Initiative enables our members to collaborate and share these opportunities with each other. By working together, our members can provide their services to families outside their local area, expand their customer base, and increase revenue.
• Collaboration on future growth potential for independent funeral professionals: The funeral service industry is constantly evolving, and it can be challenging for independent funeral professionals to keep up. The Commander Initiative provides a platform for our members to collaborate and share ideas for future growth. Our members can work together to develop new services, expand their reach, and increase their profitability.
• Exclusive group promotions on funeral products and services: The Commander Initiative leverages the purchasing power of our members to negotiate exclusive group promotions with vendors. Our members can take advantage of these promotions to reduce their costs and increase their profitability. Our members can also benefit from access to a wide range of high-quality funeral products and services from approved vendors.

To participate in The Commander Initiative, members must purchase a minimum of two vendor product commitments and maintain active Partner status. Our members benefit from access to a network of independent funeral professionals across the country, and they can participate in online discussions and share ideas with their peers. Join us today and experience the benefits of being a Commander Partner.


We offer two membership options: FREE Membership and Premier Membership. Upon immediate online registration, members gain immediate access to member benefits and login info for private Members Only Facebook and other social media group discussion. Join us today and experience the benefits of being a Commander Partner.

About Eddie L. Pitt

Building Strength. Advancing Independence. Modernizing Funeral Service. Eddie L. Pitt Sr. is a nationally respected funeral industry executive, strategist, and innovator dedicated to strengthening independent funeral homes across the United States.

As President and CEO of Cooper Professionals, LLC, Eddie leads a multi-division organization focused on economic empowerment, operational modernization, vendor partnerships, and advanced business infrastructure for funeral professionals. His mission is simple but powerful:
Protect independence. Increase profitability. Position funeral homes for the future.
A Legacy of Leadership in Death Care With decades of executive experience, Eddie has held senior leadership roles across national and regional organizations, including:

• President/CEO, Prestige Service Associates
  
• Regional Vice President, Service Corporation International (SCI)
  
• Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Dutchman Corporation
  
• President/CEO, Genesis Projects LLC
  
• Client Resource Analyst, C&J Financial
  
• Wall Street Deathcare Advisory Board

His leadership career spans corporate management, sales strategy, funeral home operations, and financial structuring — giving him a comprehensive understanding of both large-scale enterprise systems and the unique pressures faced by independent funeral homes.
Founder of The Commander Initiative Recognizing the financial and competitive challenges facing independent funeral homes, Eddie founded The Commander Initiative — a national cooperative network designed to provide:

• Collective buying power
  
• Strategic vendor partnerships
  
• Financial infrastructure solutions
  
• Pre-need growth systems
  
• AI-powered marketing and operational tools
  
• Business modernization support
  

The Initiative was built on one belief:
Independent funeral homes deserve enterprise-level support without losing their independence.
Under his leadership, the network continues to expand nationally, strengthening funeral businesses through collaboration, innovation, and economic strategy.
Innovation Meets Tradition Eddie understands that funeral service is both sacred and strategic.
He has worked to integrate modern technology — including AI-driven marketing systems, digital pre-planning infrastructure, and automated operational tools — while preserving the integrity and dignity of funeral service.
Through Cooper Professionals and its divisions, he is pioneering scalable systems that help funeral homes:

• Increase revenue
  
• Strengthen community presence
  
• Stabilize operations
  
• Modernize marketing
  
• Compete effectively in a changing marketplace
  

Commitment Beyond Business In addition to his professional leadership, Eddie is:

• A member of the NAACP
  
• A member of Roads Inc., Funeral Professional Fraternity
  
• A motivational speaker and mentor
  
• A former youth program chairman and community leader
  
• A quartet singer with Christian Aires of Baltimore
  

His commitment to service extends beyond business into mentorship, community uplift, and professional development.
The Mission Moving Forward Eddie L. Pitt Sr. continues to lead with vision and purpose — advancing independent funeral homes through collaboration, capital access, strategic partnerships, and technology-driven solutions.
His work is not simply about growth.
It is about preserving legacy, protecting independence, and building generational strength within the funeral profession.