The Enquirer

William Backman III, executive vice president for sales and marketing at Aurora Casket Co. has been named president of family-owned Aurora-based company.

He succeeds Bill Barrott, who will continue as chairman of the company, employing about 700. Backman is the seventh president of the casket company founded by his great-grandfather in 1890.

In addition, Jerry Reichert, former partner at Deloitte & Touche and a long-time adviser to Aurora, was named the company's chief operating officer.

Barrott said that naming Reichert COO would allow he and Backman to spend more time with customers and explore acquisitions and mergers. Chris Barrott, Bill Barrott's younger brother will continue as executive vice president and serve as chairman of Funeral Service Foundation board of trustees starting in October.