Thirty years, one step at a time
Nobody plans a thirty-year Masonic career. You petition a Lodge, you take a chair when asked, you keep your word, and one day you look back and there’s a road behind you. Here’s mine — not because the titles matter, but because the road might look like one you’d want to walk.
1992 — The petition
I asked. A committee visited, a Lodge voted, and I took my first steps in Freemasonry — nervous, curious, and with no idea what I was starting.
2006 — Taking a chair
Junior Warden of Phoenix Lodge No. 346, Sarasota. The same year I joined the Scottish Rite and the Shriners — the fez would take nineteen more years to become a Potentate’s fez, and that’s exactly how it should work.
2008 — Worshipful Master
Master of Phoenix Lodge No. 346. Leading the Lodge that made me a Mason remains one of the honors of my life.
2009 — Into the York Rite
Joined the Royal Arch Chapter, Cryptic Council, and Knights Templar Commandery — the degrees beyond the Blue Lodge that complete the story the first three begin.
2014 — High Priest & District Deputy
Presided over Sarasota Chapter No. 35 as High Priest; appointed District Deputy Grand Master by the Grand Lodge of Florida — my first state-level service.
2015 — Illustrious Master
Presided over Bradentown Council No. 9; appointed District Deputy Grand High Priest.
2017 — Sovereign Master
Presided over my Allied Masonic Degrees council.
2018 — Eminent Commander
Presided over Trinity Commandery No. 16, Knights Templar.
2019 — Knight of the York Cross of Honour
Knighted into the KYCH — an honor reserved for those who have presided over all four York Rite bodies. Also served as District Deputy Grand Commander and Excellent Chief of the Knight Masons, and as Master of Kadosh in the Scottish Rite.
2021 — Most Illustrious Grand Master
Elected to lead the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons for the state of Florida — and served as Governor of my York Rite College the same year.
2025 — Potentate of Sahib Shriners
Elected Potentate of Sahib Shriners, Sarasota — six hundred Nobles, a year of parades, ceremonials, and fundraising for Shriners Children’s. That story gets its own page →
2026 — Still showing up
Recorder of St. Sebastian Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine. Treasurer of my Chapter, Council, and Commandery. Secretary of the Manatee Shrine Club. The fancy titles rotate; the Tuesday-night work is forever.
If there’s a lesson in the timeline, it’s this: none of these were career moves. Every chair was somebody asking, “will you serve?” and me saying yes. Commitment isn’t announced — it’s demonstrated, one meeting, one degree, one pancake breakfast at a time.
Thinking the first step of your own journey? Ask a Mason →