2026-2027 Committees of the Grand Commandery
Templar Jurisprudence
The Committee on Templar Jurisprudence shall consider all decisions upon questions of Templar law and usage reported by the Grand Commander and such other matters as may be referred to it by him or Grand Commandery and its conclusions shall be reported to Grand Commandery. It shall, upon request therefor, give opinions on the legislative, judicial and executive functions of Grand Commandery and the Constituent Commanderies and on the powers and duties of their respective officers and members, advise upon all questions of Templar law and report upon all propositions for amendment of the Laws and Regulations and all proposed resolutions and edicts, report all changes in the Constitution and Statutes of Grand Encampment and all decisions affecting same and make such recommendations regarding the laws, as it may deem advisable.
Steve E. Alderete, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23 — Chairman
R. Stephen Doan, Santa Monica Bay Commandery No. 61
Gregg A. Hall, San Jose Commandery No. 10
Policies & General Purposes
The Committee on Policy and General Purposes shall have referred to it and give opinions on all matters affecting the aims, purposes, policies and ideals of Grand Commandery or any Constituent Commandery.
Roger S. Ross, Orange County Commandery No. 36 — Chairman
Marty M. Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No. 16
Gary R. Quintrell, Eureka Commandery No. 36
David W. Studley, Pacific Commandery No. 3
G. Sean Metroka, Nevada Commandery No. 6
Christopher R. Trueblood, Morris Siminoff Commandery No. 80
Matthew J. McColm, San Diego Commandery No. 25
Finance & Budget
The Committee on Finance shall report on all matters appertaining to finance and shall prepare and present the budget for the ensuing Templar year.
Mickel “Mike” Edwards, Marysville Commandery No. 7 — Chairman
John E. Bickerstaff, High Desert Commandery No. 79
Anthony C. McLean, San Diego Commandery No. 25 — Ex-Officio
Howard W. “Bud” Ramsey Jr., San Jose Commandery No. 10 — Ex-Officio
Ritual and Tactics
The Committee on Ritual and Tactics shall be the authority on Ritual and Tactics, subject always to the control of Grand Commandery.
Nicholas C. Raisis, California Commandery No. 1 — Chairman
Gary R. Quintrell, Eureka Commandery No. 36
Joshua L. Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No. 16
Robert W. Jenkins, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Dinesh Chhabra, Oakland Commandery No. 11
Brandon M. Cook, Orange County Commandery No. 36
Michael Cortez, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9
Wessel J. Mindermann, Auburn Commandery No. 4
Oliver Martinez, Marysville Commandery No. 7
Jewels and Uniforms
The Committee on Uniforms and Paraphernalia shall superintend the purchase of uniforms, jewels and all ceremonial equipment, see that they correspond to the regulations and supervise their care and preservation, keep a book with an itemized list of all Commandery ceremonial equipment and its values, make a complete examination of all equipment once each year prior to the annual Fall inspection and make a written report as to its condition and value, together with recommendations for improvement or repair.
Nicholas C. Raisis, California Commandery No. 1 — Chairman
Gary R. Quintrell, Eureka Commandery No. 36
Joshua L. Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No. 16
Robert W. Jenkins, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Brandon H. Dueñas, San Jose Commandery No. 10
Brandon M. Cook, Orange County Commandery No. 36
Michael Cortez, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9
Wessel J. Mindermann, Auburn Commandery No. 4
Oliver Martinez, Marysville Commandery No. 7
Conclave Competitive Drill
The Committee on Conclave Competitive Drill shall have in charge all matters pertaining to competitive drills sponsored by Grand Commandery and encourage increased interest in this activity, particularly respecting “B” teams, to the end that the participation of a larger number of Sir Knights may result in greater Templar fellowship.
Nicholas C. Raisis, California Commandery No. 1 — Chairman
Danny Foxx, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9
Jarrod D. Washington, Auburn Commandery No. 4
Norman Mallillin, California Commandery No. 1
Necrology
The Committee on Necrology shall embody in a report to Grand Commandery the names of distinguished Sir Knights who have died during the year, together with such account of their lives, characters and services to the Order as may be fitting.
R. Stephen Doan, Santa Monica Bay Commandery No. 61 — Chairman
Steven E. Alderete, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Hank Kraychir, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Time and Place
The Committee on Time and Place, consisting of the Deputy Grand Commander, Grand Generalissimo, Grand Captain General, and Grand Recorder ex officio, together with the similar Committees from Grand Chapter and Grand Council and also the Sir Knight appointed to be the General Chairman of the Local Annual Grand Sessions Committee (one for each of the next three annual Conclaves) shall be the Grand York Rite Sessions Committee and shall report in writing at each Annual Conclave, its recommendations regarding Time and Place of the next three (3) Annual Conclaves.
Mickel “Mike” Edwards, Marysville Commandery No. 7 — Chairman
John E. Bickerstaff, High Desert Commandery No. 79
Michael J. Sekera, Orange County Commandery No. 36
Howard W. “Bud” Ramsey Jr., San Jose Commandery No. 10 — Ex-Officio
All Religious Activities
The Committee on Religious Activities shall, under the direction of the Grand Commander, render assistance to the Constituent Commanderies in formulating plans for Christmas, Easter and other anniversary observances.
R. Stephen Doan, Santa Monica Bay Commandery No. 61 — Chairman
Steven E. Alderete, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Hank Kraychir, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Credentials
The Committee on Credentials shall examine and report, as soon as practicable after opening of the Conclave, on the credentials and qualifications of all persons claiming the right to seats as members of Grand Commandery.
Marty Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No. 16 — Chairman
Mark Nielsen, San Diego Commandery No. 25
Joshua L. Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No. 16
Rickey O. Ward, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Dennis L. Ward, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Reports of Grand Officers
The Committee on Reports of Grand Officers shall examine the reports of the Grand Commander, The Grand Treasurer, the Grand Recorder and any employees involved in handling of the finances of the Grand Commandery prior to the Annual Conclave and shall make recommendations if needed and suggest and recommend reference of the various subjects embraced in such reports to appropriate committees for their consideration or recommended action thereon.
Roger S. Ross, Orange County Commandery No. 36 — Chairman
Cirilo P. Marquez, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9
Michael J. Sekera, Orange County Commandery No. 36
Appeals and Grievances
The Committee on Appeals and Grievances shall examine all cases of appeal and grievance submitted to it and report its conclusions and recommendations thereon.
Cirilo P. Marquez, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9 — Chairman
David M. Kampschafer, San Jose Commandery No. 10
Christopher N. Radcliffe, San Diego Commandery No. 25
Andrew M. Prutsman, Whittier-St. Johns Commandery No. 51
Dispensations and Charters
The Committee on Dispensations and Charters shall examine the reports and returns from Commanderies under Dispensation, noting particularly the nature and progress of their work. It shall report thereon and upon all applications to Grand Commandery for Dispensations or Charters and for the restoration of Dispensations or Charters, and upon all matters connected with the general subject of Dispensations and Charters which are referred to it.
William A. McBroome Jr., Eureka Commandery No. 35 — Chairman
Robert A. Whitfield, California Commandery No. 1
Thomas E. Colgan, Beauséant Commandery No. 81
Investments
The Committee on Investments or a majority thereof shall invest and reinvest the funds of Grand Commandery, as provided in Section 321 and may purchase, exchange and sell securities belonging to or controlled by Grand Commandery.
Rick L. Baca, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9 — Chairman
Anthony C. McLean, San Diego Commandery No. 25 — Ex-Officio
Mickel “Mike” Edwards, Marysville Commandery No. 7
Knights Templar Education Foundation
The Committee on Knights Templar Educational Foundation shall administer the funds of said Foundation as provided in Sections 18 and 104 of the Constitution and Statutes of the Grand Encampment, and shall have general supervision over the work of the Knights Templar Educational Foundation of California.
Scott L. McNair, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23 — Chairman
Anthony C. McLean, San Diego Commandery No. 25 — Ex-Officio
Howard W. “Bud” Ramsey Jr., San Jose Commandery No. 10 — Ex-Officio
Steve E. Alderete, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Marty M. Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No. 16
Thomas N. Thomas, Whittier-St. Johns Commandery No. 51
Public Relations
The Committee on Public Relations shall have supervision over the public relations of Grand Commandery and shall assist the Grand Commander in relations of a public nature.
Danny Foxx, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9 — Chairman
John E. Bickerstaff, High Desert Commandery No. 79 — Vice-Chairman
Michael J. Sekera, Orange County Commandery No. 36
Marty M. Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No. 16
Jarrod D. Washington, Auburn Commandery No. 4
Mickel “Mike” Edwards, Marysville Commandery No. 7
Membership
The Committee on Membership shall consider all matters affecting membership, submitted to it by the Grand Commander. It shall recommend appropriate programs and procedures to strengthen the membership of our Order and, in every way possible, assist the Committee on Membership of each constituent Commandery.
Jordan T. Yelinek, Morris Siminoff Commandery No. 80 — Chairman
James A. Segerstrom, Orange County Commandery No. 36 — Vice-Chairman
John E. Bickerstaff, High Desert Commandery No. 79
Michael J. Sekera, Orange County Commandery No. 36
Danny Foxx, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9
Marty M. Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No. 16
Jarrod D. Washington, Auburn Commandery No. 4
Mickel “Mike” Edwards, Marysville Commandery No. 7
Patriotic and Civic Affairs
The Committee on Patriotic and Civic Activities shall study and recommend methods and procedures for building and strengthening Templary, not only among the branches of Masonry, but also in connection with the general public.
Jarrod D. Washington, Auburn Commandery No. 4 — Chairman
Michael J. Sekera, Orange County Commandery No. 36
Danny Foxx, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9
Marty M. Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No. 16
Mickel “Mike” Edwards, Marysville Commandery No. 7
Audit Review
The Audit Committee shall examine the books of the Grand Treasurer and Grand Recorder, as provided elsewhere herein.
Craig L. Flagtwet, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23 — Chairman
2026-2027 Special Committees of the Grand Commandery
California History Project
Marty M. Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No. 16 — Chairman
Mark A. Nielsen, Beauséant Commandery No. 81
Constitution Revision
R. Stephen Doan [Chairman], Santa Monica Bay Commandery No. 61
Gregg A. Hall, San Jose Commandery No. 10
Leadership Development
Howard W. “Bud” Ramsey Jr., San Jose Commandery No. 10 — Chairman
Craig L. Flagtwet, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Miguel A. Vazquez-Moreno, High Desert Commandery No. 79
David W. Studley, Pacific Commandery No. 3
Knight Templar Eye Foundation
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, incorporated in 1956, is a charity sponsored by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. The foundation adopted the mission statement “to improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care.”
John E. Bickerstaff, High Desert Commandery No. 79 — Chairman
Anthony C. McLean, San Diego Commandery No. 25 — Ex-Officio
Howard W. “Bud” Ramsey Jr., San Jose Commandery No. 10 — Ex-Officio
David W. Studley, Pacific Commandery No. 3
Mickel “Mike” Edwards, Marysville Commandery No. 7
John H. Crago III, San Diego Commandery No. 25
Website
Marty M. Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No. 16 — Chairman
Mark A. Nielsen, Beauséant Commandery No. 81
Michael J. Sekera, Orange County Commandery No. 36
Knight Exemplar Program
Danny Foxx, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9 — Chairman
Jarrod D. Washington, Auburn Commandery No. 4
Miguel A. Vazquez-Moreno, High Desert Commandery No. 79