Jeff is licensed to practice law before the Supreme Court of North Dakota, United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and United Sates Supreme Court. He is a member of the State Bar Association of North Dakota and its Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law and Indian Law sections; Big Muddy (South Central Judicial District) Bar Association; American Bar Association and its Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources; Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation; and Energy and Mineral Law Foundation. He is also a member of the Federalist Society; Supreme Court Historical Society; and Sons of the American Revolution. Jeff is retired as legal counsel and Assistant Code Revisor for the North Dakota Legislative Council and is currently president of Nelson Oil and Gas Holdings LLC, a minerals management concern, and general partner of Nelson Land Holdings LLLP, a family farming and ranching operation. He is a recipient of the “Water Wheel” award from the North Dakota Water Users and North Dakota Water Resource Districts Associations in recognition of his distinctive leadership and perseverance in motivating development of North Dakota’s water resources thereby fostering a better quality of life for its people and specifically for his efforts in drafting landmark water development finance and flood control legislation. Jeff is a member, past master, and past chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bismarck Lodge 5. He is also a member of Mandan Lodge 8, Chancellor Walworth (Steele) Lodge 102, West Gate (Tioga) Lodge 125, Lewis and Clark (Bismarck) Lodge 132, International Lodge of Freemasons, Northern Lights Historic Lodge 68, and Yellowstone Historic Lodge 88. He is active in local and state-wide Masonic activities and is currently a member of the Grand Lodge Masonic Education Committee, chairman of the Bylaws Committee, and chairman of the Trial Commission. Jeff is a past grand high priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of North Dakota and is a recipient of the General Grand Chapter Bronze Distinguished Service Award. He is a past illustrious grand master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Rite Masons of North Dakota, a recipient of the Cryptic Mason of the Year Award, and is a Companion of the Secret Vault. Jeff is a past grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of North Dakota and is a member of Tancred (Bismarck, ND) Commandery 1; St. Aldemar (Grand Forks, ND) Commandery 3, St. Michael (Tioga, ND) Commandery 19, St. Bernard (CO) Commandery 41; Anchorage (AK) Commandery 2; and Samuel Paul Honors (UT) Commandery 0. He is a past North Central Department commander, past member of the Committee on Templar Jurisprudence, and past publisher of the Knight Templar. He is a trustee of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation and served as chairman of the 42nd and 43rd Voluntary Campaigns. He has been invested with the rank and dignity of Knight Commander of the Temple and Knight Grand Cross of the Temple. He is a recipient of the Most Eminent Grand Master’s Award from the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, USA, PHA and the Chevalier Commandeur des Ordres Unis (honoris causa) from the Great Priory of France. Jeff is also a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (33rd degree inspector general honorary); Shrine; York Rite Sovereign College (past grand governor, past marshal general, and a recipient of the Order of the Purple Cross); Red Cross of Constantine (currently intendant general); Knights of the York Cross of Honour; Knight Masons; Allied Masonic Degrees; Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests (currently Grand First Pillar of the Grand College of America); Grand College of Rites (Past Grand Chancellor); Royal Order of Scotland; Universal Craftsmen Council of Engineers; Masonic Order of the Bath; St. Thomas of Acon; and the SRICF (currently Senior Deputy Supreme Magus). Jeff’s interests outside the Fraternity include film, reading, travel, and running. He has qualified as a member of Marathon Maniacs and is a member of the 50 States Marathon Club, 50 States and DC Marathon Group USA, and Seven Continents Club. He has finished fifty-three marathons and completed marathons in thirty-one states, in two Canadian provinces, in seven countries, on four continents, and finished five of the six World Major Marathons. SK Michael Burke Johnson R.E. Deputy Grand Master Crowheart, WY
Mike was initited, passed, and raised in Dubois Lodge No. 53 in 1984, serving as Worshipful Master in 1991. He is currently serving as Junior Grand Warden in the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Wyoming. In 1985 he joined the Fremont County York Rite bodies. He served as High Priest of Mt. Horeb Chapter No. 6 (cur-rently serving as treasurer), Illustrious Master of Lander Council No. 4, and Commander of Hugh de Payne Commandery No. 7. Other York Rite memberships include Holy Order of High Priesthood; Thrice Illustrious Masters of Wyoming; Emmanuel Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine; Knights of the York Cross of Honor; Equality York Rite College No. 92, receiving the Order of the Purple Cross in Houston, Texas; Agnus Dei Tabernacle No. XLIV, HRAKTP; Wyoming Chapter Order of Knights Preceptor; and St. Bernard Commandery No. 41 in Denver, Colorado. In 2007 he served as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Wyoming. During the 65th triennium he served as Northwest Department Commander for Grand Encampment. Mike is also a member of the Valley of Sheridan, Scottish Rite Bodies; Philalethes Society; 9th grade of Council Masonic Societas Rosicruciana in Cibitatibus Foederatis; Royal Society of Knights Occidental; Royal Order of Scotland; St. Thomas of Acon; Trinity Chapel No. 12, Grand College of Rites; and Allied Masonic Degrees in Wyoming. Elected R.E. Deputy Grand Master at the 67th Triennial Conclave in INDIANPOLIS, INDIANA, August 21 of 2018. SK David Joseph Kussman R.E. Grand Generalissimo Anaheim, CA
Sir Knight Kussman is a retired Police Sergeant from the Anaheim Police Department completing thirty-four years of service. Sir Knight Kussman was married to Lady Kimberly Ann Kussman (Schmidt) from 1988 until her passing in 2015. They have two daughters and a son. His first grandchild was born in 2015 and is expecting his second in 2016. Sir Knight Kussman is a member and Past Master of Anaheim Lodge No. 207. He is also a member of several Masonic Lodges of Research. He is a member and past presiding officer of the Orange County York Rite Bodies, and holds both active and honorary memberships in numerous York Rite bodies in the United States. He is a Past Prior of Sierra Pacific Priory No. 71. He is member and Past Venerable Master of Orange County Valley Scottish Rite Bodies. Sir Knight Kussman was knighted in Fullerton Commandery No.55 in 1983 and served twice as Commander and Treasurer. He joined the Golden West Commandery No. 43 Drill Team and became a life member. He was Captain of the Drill Team of Orange County Commandery No. 36 for seventeen years and honored with the distinction of Drill Captain Emeritus. He was a member of the Los Angeles Commandery No.9 Championship 65th Triennial Drill Team. Sir Knight Kussman was appointed Grand Warder of the Grand Commandery of California in 2002 and served as Grand Commander for 2010-2011. Additional he served as President of the Grand York Rite of California, Inc. Additional Masonic Memberships: Member and Past Preceptor of Saint John the Baptist Tabernacle, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests. Member and Past Governor of Southern California York Rite College No. 110. Serving as Grand Governor. Member and Past Sovereign of Saint Croix Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine. Serving as Intendant General. Member and 4th Grade of California College, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis. Member and Past Excellent Chief of Brian Boru Council No. 38, Knight Masons. Member and Past Sovereign Master of Orange Coast Council, Allied Masonic Degrees. Member of Lone Star Chapel No. 45, Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon. Member of the Royal Order of Scotland and the Robert the Bruce Association of California. Member of the National Sojourners in California. Sir Knight Kussman was installed as the Southwest Department Commander for the Grand Encampment Knights Templar on August 16, 2012. Elected and installed R.E. Grand Generalissimo at the 67th Triennial Conclave August 21, 2018 in INDIANPOLIS, INDIANA. SIR KNIGHT JEFFREY A. BOLSTAD, P.G.C. (MT) Right Eminent Grand Captain General
In 1986, Jeff moved to Helena and began his career as a State Farm insurance agent. Over the years, he has been heavily involved in community service, including the Helena Lions Club where he is a past president, and several years on the Chamber of commerce Sports Committee, and the Montana Governor’s Cup Marathon Committee. He serves on the board of directors of the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center and a long time high school and college basketball referee. For ten years he made a weekly 350-mile journey to serve as the pastor of the Valier Lutheran Church. He began his Masonic journey in 1990 when he was initiated into Helena Lodge #3, where he served as Worshipful Master. He also was the Master of King Solomon #9 in Helena. Sir Knight Jeff became a member of the Helena York Rite Bodies in 1998, eventually becoming High Priest, Illustrious Master, and Commander. He joined Big Sky York Rite College #74 and was awarded the Purple Cross in 2002, served as Governor in 2008, and is a Past Grand Governor of Montana. He was Grand Commander in 2013-2014, and is a Past Grand High Priest. He has served as the presiding officer in all four Scottish Rite Bodies, and in 2003 was appointed as Personal Representative of the SGIG in Montana. In 2005 he was coroneted with the 33rd Degree, Honorary Inspector General in Washington DC. For seven years he was a member of the Board of Governors at Shriners Hospital in Spokane, and was elected twice to three year terms as a trustee of the Montana Masonic Home Board. For several years he was the Algeria Shriners membership chairman, PR chairman, and editor of the Algeria Shrine newsletter. He also spent five years as an officer on the Divan. An ardent life-long student of the art of leadership, motivation, and personal development, Jeff has presented several workshops and seminars, mostly for Masonic organizations, and for the 2006-2009 triennial served as the director of the leadership development program for the General Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. He is a Past Grand Patron of the Montana Grand Chapter. He and his beautiful wife Jill, a pediatric medical doctor, like to spend as much time as they can at their ranch near Lewistown, where they enjoy catching trout, hunting pheasants and caring for critters. He is known as the “cowboy poet laureate” of the Charlie Russell Chew-choo, a popular dinner train in Central Montana. They have five grown children, five granddaughters, and one grandson. SK Jeff was elected Grand Captain General at the 67th Triennial Conclave in Indianapolis, August 21, 2018. SIR KNIGHT BOBBY BLACKMAN SIMMONS, P.G.C. (GA) Right Eminent Grand Treasurer
He was raised a Master Mason in 1967 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and transferred to Tyrian Lodge 111 in Warner Robins, Georgia, where he served as master in 1985. He was charter worshipful master of Middle Georgia Daylight Lodge 756 in Bonaire, Georgia, and secretary. He served as most worshipful grand master of Masons in Georgia in 2003 and is presently serving as grand treasurer. In the Scottish Rite, Sir Knight Simmons was coroneted a 33Degree Mason. He served as venerable master of the Lodge of Perfection and as president of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Georgia. Sir Knight Simmons served as grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Georgia in 1998 and is designated a Knight Commander of the Temple. He is a past prior of Georgia Priory 39 of the Knights of the York Cross of Honour and is serving as deputy grand master of Convent General. He is past presiding officer of the Knight Masons, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, Allied Masonic Degrees, the Red Cross of Constantine, the National Sojourners, and AI Sihah Shrine, where he is presently the treasurer and served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Shriners Hospitals for Children and an associate board member of Greensville Shriners Hospital for children. He is a recipient of the DeMolay Legion of Honor and the York Rite College Order of the Purple Cross. He is a past celebrant of the Masonic Rosicrucians, a member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon and the Order of the Eastern Star, as well as past president of Georgia Clan of the Royal Order of Scotland. Sir Knight Bobby Blackman Simmons was appointed Right Eminent Grand Treasurer by the Grand Master of the Grand Encampment Knights Templar on April 17, 2016 to fill the position vacated by the death of Sir Knight James McCorry Willson, Jr, GCT and Most Eminent Honoray Past Grand Master. Elected Grand Treasurer in INDIANPOLIS, INDIANA August of 2018. SIR KNIGHT LAWRENCE EUGENE TUCKER, P.G.C. (TX) Right Eminent Grand Recorder Sir Knight Lawrence E. Tucker, Right Eminent Grand Recorder of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America, was born April 2, 1956, on Ladd Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Territory of Alaska. His father, William Joseph Rye Tucker, was an active Mason, and his mother, Sue Ann Hensley Tucker, was a Majority Member of Bartlesville Assembly, Order of the Rainbow for Girls. In the invitational Masonic orders: Memberships in appendant Masonic orders include: Masonic Research Organizations: Masonic related youth orders: Sir Knight Tucker was elected Right Eminent Grand Recorder of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar at the 63rd Triennial Conclave in Houston, Texas in 2006; the 64th Triennial Conclave in Roanoke, Virginia in 2009; the 65th Triennial Conclave in Alexandria, Virginia in 2012; the 66th Triennial Conclave in Buffalo, New York in 2015; and the 67th Triennial Conclave in Indianapolis, Indiana in 2018. SIR KNIGHT ARTHUR F. HEBBLER, P.G.C. (MD) Right Eminent Grand Prelate
Sir Knight Hebbeler became a Mason in 1982 in Damascus Lodge 642, Toledo, Ohio. He was master of Brentwood Lodge 616 (now consolidated with Webster Grove Lodge 84) in St Louis, Missouri, in 1990. He is also a dual member of Germania Lodge 160, Cockeysville, Maryland (Maryland's only German-speaking lodge). He was exalted in Ft. Meigs Chapter 28 (Toledo, OH) in 1983, and is a past high priest of Piscataway Chapter 46 of Catonsville, Maryland, and has served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Maryland. He has received the Order of High Priesthood, the Grand High Priest's Award, the Breastplate Award, and the Triple Tau Award (distinguished service). He was the driving force for the creation and chartering of Piscataway Chapter in 2013, the first new chapter in Maryland in over 50 years. He was greeted Toledo Council 33 in 1984, and is a past illustrious master of Samuel L. Clemens Council No. 25 of Catonsville, Maryland, and served as Grand Conductor of the Council of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masons of Maryland. He has received the Order of Thrice Illustrious Masters and is a recipient of the Ish Sodi Award for distinguished service. He is also a member of Hiram Council 5, Cockeysville, Maryland. He led the creation and chartering of Clemens Council in 2015. Sir Knight Hebbeler was knighted in St. Aldemar Commandery 3 (Grand Forks, ND) as a courtesy to Toledo Commandery 7 (Toledo, OH) in 1985. He is a past commander of Crusade Commandery 5 and a past grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Maryland. He is a member of the Maryland Past Commanders' Association. He has received the Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor (Delaware Chapter). He is also a life member of Ascalon Commandery 16 stationed at St. Louis, Missouri. He has been awarded the rank and dignity of Knight Commander of the Temple for service to Templary. Sir Knight Jeffery N. Nelson, Most Eminent Grand Master, appointed Sir Knight Hebbeler the Right Eminent Grand Prelate of the Grand Encampment at the 67th Triennial Conclave in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 22, 2018. Sir Knight Hebbeler is a member of the Committee on Religious Activities and the Grand Master's Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He is a life member of the Valley of Toledo, Ohio, (NMJ) and a member of the Valley of Baltimore, (SJ). |