UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Carriage Services, Inc.

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		1-11961 (Commission File Number)		76-0423828 (IRS Employer Identification No.)

3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77056
(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(713) 332-8400

o     Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

ITEM 5.02		DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS

(c)

Appointment of Chief Financial Officer

     On July 8, 2008, Carriage Services, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that Billy D. Dixon, age 37, has joined the Company as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Dixon will begin work for the Company August 14, 2008. He has otherwise no relationship with the Company, its directors or its executive officers. Mr. Dixon was employed by British Petroleum’s North American Gas and Power Business Unit (NAGP) beginning in 2001 initially as a credit and commercial contract attorney, then as Chief Credit Officer until 2005 when he became Vice President of Strategic Origination responsible for NAGP’s inorganic acquisition growth strategy and execution. In 2007 Mr. Dixon became Vice President of NAGP’s Gulf Coast/Texas region responsible for the physical trading, marketing, scheduling and storage of natural gas.

     As Senior Vice President and CFO, Mr. Dixon will receive an annual base salary of $250,000, and will participate in the Company’s 2008 short-term cash incentive compensation plan at a target award level of 50% of his annual base salary for the remainder of 2008. Mr. Dixon will also be eligible to participate in the Company’s long term share-based incentive program for senior executives, all in a manner and on terms and conditions substantially similar to other Company executive officers.

ITEM 8.01		OTHER EVENTS

     On July 8, 2008, the Company issued a News Release announcing, among other things, that Billy D. Dixon has joined the Company as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. A copy of the News Release is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.

ITEM 9.01.		FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d)

The exhibits are listed in the Exhibit Index set forth on the final page of this Current Report.

SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Carriage Services, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit		Description
99		News release dated July 8, 2008.

Exhibit 99

		Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		Contacts:		Mel Payne, Chairman & CEO
				Terry Sanford, CAO and Treasurer
				Carriage Services, Inc.
				713-332-8400
				Ken Dennard / ksdennard@drg-e.com
				Kip Rupp /krupp@drg-e.com
				DRG&E /713-529-6600

CARRIAGE SERVICES NAMES
BILLY D. DIXON AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

July 8, 2008 — HOUSTON — Carriage Services, Inc. (NYSE: CSV) announced today that Billy D. Dixon, age 37, has joined the company as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

     Mr. Dixon started his career in 1993 as a production engineer for Anadarko Petroleum after which he worked as an oil and gas attorney for two law firms, including Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP. In 2001 he joined British Petroleum’s North American Gas and Power Business Unit (NAGP) initially as a credit and commercial contract attorney, then as Chief Credit Officer until 2005 when he became Vice President of Strategic Origination responsible for NAGP’s inorganic acquisition growth strategy and execution. In 2007 Mr. Dixon became Vice President of NAGP’s Gulf Coast/Texas region responsible for the physical trading, marketing, scheduling and storage of natural gas. Mr. Dixon is a graduate of the University of Texas with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering and the University of Houston with a J.D. in Law.

     Commenting on the announcement, Melvin C. Payne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Carriage Services, stated, “I am extremely pleased that Billy has joined our company as Chief Financial Officer and will become a member of our Executive Team. During a fifteen year career in the energy business, Billy accomplished much in numerous roles in which he developed a strong track record as an innovator and builder of high performance teams. His leadership skills, an ability to learn new areas fast, and a passion for winning and Being the Best at whatever he undertakes, make him an ideal fit for Carriage at this critical stage in our development. I am confident that Billy will be instrumental in our future success as we execute our models to build long term shareholder value.”

     Carriage Services is a leading provider of death care services and products. As of July 8th, 2008, Carriage operates 136 funeral homes in 25 states and 32 cemeteries in 11 states.

Certain statements made herein or elsewhere by, or on behalf of, 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 and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, 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 Form 10-K, and other Carriage Services information and news releases, are available at www.carriageservices.com.