Meet Our Team

Who we are and what we stand for

Our Story

At Funeral Innovations, we are dedicated to creating great software that helps funeral homes grow.

Founded by two of the most innovative young minds within IBM, "innovation" is not just in our name, but it's in our company's DNA. Funeral Innovations is proud to work with only the best, most progressive firms in the industry. We have no customers, only partners in innovation. And we wake up every morning excited to work with these great innovators!

Our Team

  • Greg Young

    Co-Founder & Hustler

    Greg Young brings broad software experience to the death care industry. Before Funeral Innovations, Greg was a software engineer at IBM, where he received over 10 patents pending, while also gaining experience with technical sales consultant at IBM. Prior, Greg majored in Computer Engineering at Iowa State University.

    Greg takes great pride in his involvement in the community. He is active in the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa where he volunteers as a wish granter. In addition, Greg volunteers at local hospitals to work with faculty and staff to enhance the patient experience.

    Greg enjoys biking, drinking beer and visiting the Iowa State Fair.

  • Zack Garbow

    Co-Founder & Head Geek

    Zack Garbow is one of the foremost innovators in the industry, bringing extensive Silicon Valley experience into the death care industry. Previously, Zack was a software engineer within IBM Research, where he gained over 100 patents pending and earned the title of Master Inventor, becoming the youngest Master Inventor in the history of IBM. Zack studied Computer Science and Math at the University of Minnesota.

    Zack is actively involved in helping his community. He is the technical director for a volunteer organization that teaches web technologies to high school students. Under his tutelage, the local chapter's students have won their National Programming Competition a record 5 straight years.

    Zack enjoys cooking, hiking, drinking coffee and spending time with his wife and new daughter in Colorado.

  • James Arama

    Software Engineer & Dreamer

    James Arama is a future star of the software world, bringing an unmatched work ethic, curiosity and creativity to the funeral industry. James is a senior at Marist College, studying Computer Science. Prior to Marist, James was part of a national championship high school software development team.

    Before joining Funeral Innovations, James interned at Intel Corporation as a Software Apps Engineer in their Information Systems Engineering Logistics Development group. At Intel, James helped develop and maintain software applications that are used to help the management side of the supply chain sector with their work.

    In addition to creating software, James enjoys expressing his creativity through art and is an avid traveler.