2024-2025 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.
Gregg A. Hall [Chairman], San Jose Commandery No. 10
Steve E. Alderete, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
R. Stephen Doan, Santa Monica Bay Commandery No. 61
David M. Ferreria, Santa Monica Bay Commandery No. 61
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 [Chairman], Orange County Commandery No. 36
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 [Chairman], Marysville Commandery No. 7
Anthony C. McLean [Ex-Officio], San Diego Commandery No. 25
Howard W. “Bud” Ramsey Jr. [Ex-Officio], San Jose Commandery No. 10
Rick L. Baca, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9
Joseph K. Dongo, Sacramento Commandery No. 2
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 [Chairman], California Commandery No. 1
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. Duenas, San Jose Commandery No. 10
James G. Baum, High Desert Commandery No. 79
Miguel A. Vazquez-Moreno, High Desert Commandery No. 79
Brandon M. Cook, Orange County Commandery No. 36
Danny Foxx, 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 [Chairman], California Commandery No. 1
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. Duenas, San Jose Commandery No. 10
James G. Baum, High Desert Commandery No. 79
Miguel A. Vazquez-Moreno, High Desert Commandery No. 79
Brandon M. Cook, Orange County Commandery No. 36
Danny Foxx, 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.
Rick L. Baca [Chairman], Los Angeles Commandery No. 9
Nicholas C. Raisis, California Commandery No. 1
Cirilo P. Marquez, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9
James M. Sunseri, Orange County Commandery No. 36
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 [Chairman], Santa Monica Bay Commandery No. 61
Steven E. Alderete, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Raymond E. Davies, Golden West Commandery No. 43
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.
Joseph K. Dongo [Chairman], Sacramento Commandery No. 2
Mickel “Mike” Edwards [Ex-Officio], Marysville Commandery No. 7
Rick L. Baca, Chairman, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9
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 [Chairman], Santa Monica Bay Commandery No. 61
Steven E. Alderete, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Raymond E. Davies, Golden West Commandery No. 43
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.
Kyle B. Oswalt, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
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.
Joseph K. Dongo [Chairman], Sacramento Commandery No. 2
Mickel “Mike” Edwards, Marysville Commandery No. 7
Rick L. Baca, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9
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.
John E. Bickerstaff [Chairman], High Desert Commandery No. 79
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.
Mark A. Nielsen [Chairman], Beauséant Commandery No. 81
Todd E. Williams, San Jose Commandery No. 10
Robert A. Whitfield, California Commandery No. 1
Thomas E. Colgan, Beauséant Commandery No. 81
Jonathan H. Prestage, Morris Siminoff Commandery No. 80
Eric Bertolli, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9
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.
Jordan T. Yelinek [Chairman], Morris Siminoff Commandery No. 80
Anthony C. McLean [Ex-Officio], San Diego Commandery No. 25
Mickel “Mike” Edwards [Ex-Officio], 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 [Chairman], St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Anthony C. McLean [Ex-Officio], San Diego Commandery No. 25
Howard W. “Bud” Ramsey, Jr. [Ex-Officio], San Jose Commandery No. 10
Steve E. Alderete, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Marty M. Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No.16
Thomas N. Thomas, Whittier St. John Commandery No. 51
Myron A. Tisdel, Shasta Commandery No. 17
Public Relations and Civic Affairs
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. It 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.
Michael J. Sekera [Chairman], Orange County Commandery No. 36
Jarrod D. Washington, Auburn Commandery No. 4
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.
Marty M. Cusing [Chairman], Golden Gate Commandery No.16
Gary L. Stephens, Golden Gate Commandery No.16
Jason M. Canellos, Santa Rosa Commandery No. 14
Michael A. Padilla, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
James A. Segerstrom, Orange County Commandery No. 36
Samuel A. Maffei, Vacaville Commandery No. 38
David P. Coss, San Luis Obispo Commandery No. 27
Cameron T. Williams, Vacaville Commandery No. 38
Audit Review
The Audit Committee shall examine the books of the Grand Treasurer and Grand Recorder, as provided elsewhere herein.
R. William Keel [Chairman], St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
Philip A. Hardiman, Sacramento Commandery No. 2
Richard W. Bullard, San Diego Commandery No. 25
2024-2025 Special Committees of the Grand Commandery
California History Project
Mark A. Nielsen [Chairman], Beauséant Commandery No. 81
Marty M. Cusing, Golden Gate Commandery No. 16
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. [Chairman], San Jose Commandery No. 10
Craig L. Flagtwet, St. Bernard Commandery No. 23
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 [Chairman], High Desert Commandery No. 79
Anthony C. McLean [Ex-Officio], San Diego Commandery No. 25
Howard W. “Bud” Ramsey, Jr. [Ex-Officio], San Jose Commandery No. 10
David W. Studley, Pacific Commandery No. 3
William A. McBroome Jr., Eureka Commandery No. 35
John H. Crago III, San Diego Commandery No. 25
Website
Marty M. Cusing [Chairman], Golden Gate Commandery No. 16
Mark A. Nielsen, Beauséant Commandery No. 81