Grand Council Leadership
Our leadership consists of dozens of Companions who dedicate their time and effort to ensure that our organization fulfills its mission and continues to operate. Each position is filled for a period of one year that starts and ends at the Grand Assembly of the Grand Council. For more or more specific information as to the duties and prerogatives of any of the following offices, please see our Constitution and Bylaws for further clarification.
Elected Leadership
The elected positions of the Grand Council of Florida are comprised of the Most Illustrious Grand Master, Right Illustrious Deputy Grand Master, and Right Illustrious Principal Conductor of The Work. These officers have the responsibility of managing the operations and activities of the Grand Council when not in Assembly. This includes managing the services and communication with over 30 constituent Councils.
Other responsibilities include participation in charitable endeavors, degree festivals, and public relations.
Grand Council Grand Line
The following Companions comprise the 2026–2027 Grand Line of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Florida.
| Position | Name | Council |
|---|---|---|
| MI Grand Master | James E. Draeving | Union Council No. 7 (Dist 10) |
| RI Deputy Grand Master | E. Richard Coles, IV | Bradentown Council No. 9 |
| RI Principal Conductor of the Work | Jonas Seda | Fort Myers Council No. 25 |
| RI Grand Treasurer | MI - Robert C. St. John, Jr. | Tampa Council No. 8 (3) |
| RI Grand Recorder | MI - Larry R. Gillespie | Tyler Council No. 4 (4) |
| I Grand Chaplain | Ronald L. Parks | Union Council No. 7 |
| I Grand Captain of the Guard | Brian R. Poole | Hallmark Council No. 3 |
| I Conductor of the Council | Stephen C. Nelson | Tyrian Council No 36 (6) |
| I Grand Marshal | Jerry J. Miller | Gulf Council No. 29 (10) |
| I Grand Steward | Rusty M. Ludlam | Lake City Council No. 35 (8) |
| I Grand Sentinel | Wiley M. Willoughby, II. | Crestview Council No. 33 (10) |
| I Grand Organist | Landon W. Friend | Tyrian Council No. 36 (6) |
| I Grand Inspector of the Arches | Damon S. Sansom | Hallifax No. 1 (5) |
Elected Staff
The elective positions of the Right Excellent Grand Treasurer and the Right Excellent Grand Recorder provide the day to day support for the policies and direction implemented by the Grand Line. These offices directly manage the communications, financial transactions, and customer relationships between the Grand Council and constituents, vendors, and leadership.
When none of the dais officers are available to attend and represent the Grand Illustrious Master at affiliate, constituent, or inter/national events, the Grand Treasurer and Secretary will be asked to represent and report to and for the Grand Line.
Appointed Officers
District Deputies
| District | Deputy | Council |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marc J. Denzau | Zabud Council No. 17 |
| 2 | Carlos E. Valverde | Ft. Myers No. 25 |
| 3 | William C. Sundquist | St. Petersburg Council No. 14 |
| 4 | Kenneth L. Tutor | Tyler Council No. 4 |
| 5 | Manuel E. Lozada | Orlando Council No. 5 |
| 6 | John H. Donohoo | Ft. Myers No. 25 |
| 7 | Todd M. Connor | Hallmark Council No. 3 |
| 8 | Richard H. Elkins | Lawtey Council No. 39 |
| 9 | Richard A. Allen, Jr. | Panama City Council No. 26 |
| 10 | Jeffery W. Meister, Sr. | Union Council No. 7 |
District Instructors
| District | Instructor | Council |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandru C. Mirea | Ft. Launderdale Council No. 24 |
| 2 | Gene F. Sims | Fort Myers Council No. 25 |
| 3 | Gary R. Roane | Clearwater Council No. 34 |
| 4 | Alan R. "Randy" Chancey | Heartland Council No. 43 |
| 5 | Randall "Randy" A. Brocius | Golden Triangle Council No. 28 |
| 6 | James J. Joyner, Sr. | Hiram Council No. 13 |
| 7 | Mark S. Balester | Hallmark Council No. 3 |
| 8 | Christopher C. Lanham, Jr. | Lawtey Council No. 39 |
| 9 | Hector Guilont-Rivera (in KYCH) | Siminole Council No. 30 |
| 10 | Doc Wallach PhD | Union Council No. 7 |
Grand Council Committees
The Grand Council has many Standing and Special Committees, each with a set of designated tasks to perform in support of the activities of the Grand Council. Often, Companions serving on these committees are skilled or conversant in the areas of operation of the committee and are volunteering their time and expertise for the betterment of the Grand Council of Royal & Select Masters of Florida.
| Committee | Chairman | Members |
|---|---|---|
| Audit | E. Richard Coles, IV |
Jonas Seda
Brian R. Poole
|
| Budget, Finance & Per Diem | E. Richard Coles, IV |
Jonas Seda
Brian R. Poole
|
| CMMRF | Thomas A. Olsen |
All District CMMRF Rep's
|
| Committee on Work (5) | Joshua W. Schutts |
Stephen M. Meserve
Charles R. Jordan
Jonas Seda & John Donohoo
|
| Constitutional Review | James W. Hogg |
Steven Q. Steele
Larry R. Gillespie
|
| Convention Board | Garry M. Paxinos |
Dennis A. Barbarisi
James E. Draeving
|
| Convention Hotel Coordinator | Larry R. Gillespie |
Robert C. St. John, Jr.
|
| Distinguished Guests | Dayle L. Schrock |
Steven Q. Steele
Paul W. Friend
|
| Fraternal Relations | Brian R. Poole |
Michael LeeBove
Carlos Correa
|
| Grand Rep's | Jonas Seda |
Max Bornstein
Thomas K. "T.K." Krumnenacker
|
| Grand Masters Advisory | Paul W. Friend |
Carl E. Gilmore
Robert C. St. John, Jr.
|
| History | Todd M. Connor |
Jerry J. Miller
Ronald L. Parks
|
| Homecoming | Garry M. Paxinos |
Dennis A. Barbarisi
James E. Draeving
|
| Investment Advisory | 3-Year: John A. Kraniou |
2-Year: Charles L. Hollinger
1-Year: Carl E. Gilmore
|
| Jurisprudence | Paul W. Friend |
All Most Illustrious PGM's
Larry R. Gillespie
|
| Lodge Rep's | Rusty M. Ludlam |
Stephen C. Nelson
Ramon Ramirez
|
| Masonic Youth | Stephen C. Nelson |
Eric W. Klienbach
Damon S. Sansom
|
| Membership Dev, Training, & Education | Alan R. "Randy" Chancey |
Jonas Seda
Corey D. Kosciuszko
|
| Mentors Manual | Rusty M. Ludlam |
Charles G. "Chuck" Harper II
Thomas E. Metcalfe, Jr.
|
| Necrology | Brian R. Poole |
Larry R. Gillespie
Carl E. Gilmore
|
| Perpetual Membership | Wiley M. Willoughby, II. |
Albert W. "Butch" Thurman
Kenneth L. Tutor
|
| Photography | Donald J. Goss |
All photographers welcome
|
| Registration, Returns, & Credentials | Gene F. Sims |
Ronald A. Naumowicz
Albert W. "Butch" Thurman
|
| Souvenir Program | Max Bornstein |
John M. Lewis
All District Deputy Grand Masters
|
| Technology | Manuel E. Lozada |
Max Bornstein
Donald J. Goss
|
| Thanks | Wiley M. Willoughby, II. |
Jeffery W. Meister, Sr.
Max Bornstein
|
| Time & Place | E. Richard Coles, IV |
Jeffrey T. Sklet
Eric W. Klienbach
|
| Unfinished Business | John A. Kraniou |
Charles "Chuck" G. Harper, II.
Erik B. Andersen
|
Grand Ambassadors
The Grand Council appoints a Grand Ambassador to each of the affiliated jurisdictions. Most have previously held Grand Line positions or are currently in a leadership position.
As the main liaison to a jurisdiction, they are often the Companion who does “whatever is needed”, but specific requests include directly reporting to their MIGM or the Craft in general what is working (or not) and special events and activities that should be known or promoted, ensuring the accommodations and schedule of visiting Chapter dignitaries to their jurisdiction, and working with the Most Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Secretary to ensure that the Grand Assembly information is available for travelers.
Most Illustrious Past Grand Masters
After serving the Grand Council for an average of ten years, these Most Illustrious Companions are found in various positions continuing to support Cryptic Masonry.
Aside from being “Elders” and offering assistance and the benefit of their experience, they continue to serve on Grand Council committees and often continue to work with the current leadership to follow through and support ongoing programs.
Living Most Illustrious Past Grand Masters of Florida
| Year | Living MIPGM – Florida |
|---|---|
| 1996 | Paul Friend |
| 2000 | Richard S. Agster |
| 2001 | Charles L. Hollinger |
| 2003 | Stephen H. Clark (Expelled) |
| 2009 | Carl E. Gilmore |
| 2011 | M. Daniel Fullwood |
| 2012 | Larry R. Gillespie |
| 2013 | Dayle L. Schrock |
| 2016 | Benjamin J. Holland |
| 2017 | Robert C. St. John Jr. |
| 2018 | Glenn E. Chandler, Snr. |
| 2019 | John D. Pickford |
| 2020 | Thomas J. Rawsthorne |
| 2021 | Wm. Allen Sorbie |
| 2022 | Gene A. Lance |
| 2023 | Thomas A. Olsen |
| 2024 | O. Benjamin Geiger II |
| 2025 | John A. Kraniou |
| 2026 | James E. Draeving |
Living Most Illustrious Past Grand Masters from Other Jurisdictions Residing in Florida
| Year(s) | Jurisdiction | Living MIPGM |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Washington D.C. | Sheldon Arpad |
| 1998 | Michigan | Ronald B. Blaisdell |
| 2010–2011 | District of Columbia | Charles W. Wagner |
| 2022–2023 | Alaska | James Hogg |
Most Illustrious Grand Master
James E. Draeving
Right Illustrious Deputy Grand Master
E. Richard Coles, IV
Right Illustrious Principal Conductor of the Work
Jonas Seda
Right Excellent Grand Secretary
Larry R. Gillespie
Right Excellent Grand Treasurer
Robert C. St. John, Jr.
Illustrious Grand Captain of the Guard
Brian R. Poole
Illustrious Grand Conductor of the Council
Stephen C. Nelson
Illustrious Grand Marshal
Jerry J. Miller
Illustrious Grand Steward
Rusty M. Ludlam
Illustrious Grand Sentinel
Wiley M. Willoughby, II
Illustrious Grand Chaplain
Paul W. Friend, MIPGM
Illustrious Grand Organist
Landon W. Friend
Illustrious Grand Inspector of Arches
Damon S. Sansom
