Our Executive leadership

David Lee Hernandez, Jr., Founder and CEO of Jersey Memorial Group, is a native of Northeast Philadelphia. After graduating from Calvary Christian Academy, he earned a science degree and a Certificate of Proficiency in Funeral Services, became a licensed funeral director in May 2004, and continued his education in legal studies at St. John’s University.

In 2009 he acquired his first funeral home and has since built Jersey Memorial Group into New Jersey’s largest family-owned funeral home company, with funeral home and crematory operations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He is a licensed funeral director in multiple states and holds a life insurance producer’s license.

Hernandez is active civically as a past president of local Kiwanis clubs and past president of the Old Bridge Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the boards of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge and Raritan Bay Medical Center. He is a member of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association, serves as a trustee of the NFDA Foundation Board, is a founding member and chair of the Funeral Service Foundation IMPACT 1000 Subcommittee, serves on NFDA’s Advocacy Committee, and serves on the Tribute Technology Customer Advisory Board. An industry expert, he has fulfilled numerous speaking engagements, including the NFDA International Convention.

His firms have been inducted into the NFDA Hall of Excellence as Pursuit of Excellence winners and have received the NFDA Best of the Best Award three times as the top funeral home operator in the country. He has been named Business Leader of the Year by the Kiwanis Club of Old Bridge, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce. He was also named to the NJBIZ 40 Under 40 and Greater Monmouth YMCA Citizen of the Year. He, his family, and his team have been featured in Funeral Business Advisor and American Funeral Director.

For Hernandez, funeral service is not simply a profession. It is a calling, and he considers himself part of the Ministry of the Bereaved. That same commitment carries into his life outside the funeral home. With his wife, Stacey, and their children, Sophia, David Lee III, and Abigail, he is active at Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, volunteering in various ministries and school activities. The family also operates C1 Farms, an animal sanctuary and home to a new life remembrance pavilion. Away from work he enjoys flying, working out, golf, and time with his children. He is also the varsity girls basketball coach at Calvary Christian School.

Susan has over 40 years of experience in the fields of accounting and finance. Throughout her career, she has honed her skills and consistently demonstrated a profound understanding of financial intricacies and an exceptional ability to navigate complex financial landscapes. Her expertise spans multiple areas, including mutual fund management, regulatory compliance, optimizing corporate processes, and empowering small businesses to thrive financially. 

When not at work Susan enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, and caring for her furry friends. Her home is often a haven for four-legged friends in need, as she believes in giving back to the creatures who bring so much joy into our lives. Susan is also dedicated to her Christian faith and is an active member of Colts Neck Community Church. Her commitment to Christian values are a testament to her character and integrity. 

* unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm or conduct funerals.

Noreen Hay brings over 30 years of experience supporting high-level leadership to her role at Jersey Memorial Group. Noreen joined our team in 2023 to work closely with CEO David Hernandez, Jr., and the executive team. Her diverse skill set encompasses finance, human resources, publishing, and creative design, allowing her to provide a well-rounded approach to her role. 

In her downtime, Noreen enjoys photography, writing, and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband Kevin live on the Jersey Shore and attend Cornerstone Church. Together, they actively support a non- profit ministry called "U-Turn for Christ NJ," where Kevin serves as lead pastor and director. U-Turn plays a vital role in assisting individuals and families to find freedom from addiction. They have one amazing son, Daniel along with his equally amazing wife Ashley. And if asked, Noreen would proudly admit that her most favorite role of all is being "Nana" to her two precious grandchildren, Wesley and Clare. 

* unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm or conduct funerals. 

Known to many as “Danny”, he was born and raised in Manville.  Danny is a graduate of Manville High School, and at the age of 16, he began working in the funeral industry in a part time capacity.

Danny attended Raritan Valley Community College majoring in criminal justice. Two years into college, it was then, that Danny switched his college major to funeral service and transferred to Mercer County Community College, at that time, the only college in New Jersey to offer the Funeral Service Program. Danny served a two-year internship and after receiving an Associate Degree in Business Management and Funeral Service, he fulfilled his requirements to take the New Jersey State Jurisprudence Exam, National Board Exam and practical examinations.  Upon successful completion of all of the exams, Danny became a New Jersey Licensed Funeral Director in the summer of 2008.

In 2010, Danny lost his mother Kathy to cancer. He feels experiencing the death of his mother had made him a better person and a more compassionate funeral director as he has experienced firsthand what it is like to grieve and undergo the funeral process.

Four months to the day after Danny’s mom died, he married his best friend Rebecca (Borawski) and they now have two beautiful daughters together; McKenna Kathleen and Madelyn Ray. 

Danny is a member of the Middlesex & Somerset County Funeral Directors Association, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, The National Funeral Directors Association and a former member of the Green Brook-Dunellen Rotary.  He is very active with the Middlesex Elks, Lodge #1488, holding the position of Exalted Ruler, the highest position within the organization.  He is a six time Past Exalted Ruler and is proud to have served as State Vice President of the NJ State Elks Association, WCD. Danny also belongs to Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish in Middlesex and is a SAL (Sons of the American Legion) with John W. Lupu Memorial Post #306 of Middlesex.

In his spare time, he is an avid collector of anything automobile related, especially HotWheel Cars. He loves spending time outdoors landscaping his home, playing cards and can often be found playing with his Pitbull Mr. Banks.

In January of 2025, Danny lost his brother Brian, only 42 years old, to drug addiction and mental illness. After taking care of all the matters with his brother’s funeral, Danny realized life was too short.  He truly believes today is a present, and live and love for it, as tomorrow is not promised.