Sir Knight
Joseph K. Dongo, KTCH, KCT, KYGCH
167th Right Eminent Grand Commander
Grand Commandery Knights Templar
California
Sir Knight Joseph Dongo was born and raised in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) on the west coast of Africa.
Sir Knight Dongo earned his Doctorate in Civil Engineering from the prestigious CentraleSupélec in Paris. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree from École Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics, in Côte d’Ivoire and a Master of Science degree from École des Ponts ParisTech, in Paris, all in Civil Engineering. A former professor of engineering in his home country, he immigrated to the United States in 1993 and has since served the people of California with distinction through his leadership in transportation infrastructure, first as Resident Engineer in the Sacramento area and has since climbed through the
career ladder in engineering of state government, notably as Capital Contracts Procurement Manager with California High Speed Rail Authority and as Special Projects Program Manager and Chief of the
Office of Construction Standards for the California Department of transportation where he has been honored with multiple Superior Accomplishment awards in recognition of his exceptional service.
Sir Knight Dongo is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer in California and a Certified Project Management Professional. With his lovely lady, Claudette, they live in Natomas, blessed with their seven adult children – two daughters and five sons – and a cherished granddaughter.
Symbolic
Craft Lodge
Brother Dongo was Initiated, Passed and Raised in Washington Lodge No. 20, Free and Accepted Masons of California in 1998. He went on to serve as Worshipful Master in 2010 and again in 2012 in Sacramento. During his two terms, he raised twenty-four (24) Brothers to the sublime degree of Master Mason and conferred a total of seventy-five degrees (75). In recognition of his outstanding service, he was distinguished with the prestigious Hiram award in 2018.
He has also served the Grand Lodge of California in the following capacities:
Grand Standard Bearer under Most Worshipful Randy Brill
Member of the Masonic Properties Committee since 2021
Additionally, he is an active and proud member of the Northern California Past Master’s Association where he served as Right Worshipful Master for two consecutive terms: 2020/2021 and 2021/2022.
Capitular Masonry
Companion Dongo was Exalted in Sacramento Chapter No. 3, Royal Arch Masons, where he served as High Priest in 2013, earning the High Priest of the Year award in his department. He served as High Priest of the Golden State Research Chapter. He was Consecrated in the Order of High Priesthood.
He served as an Inspector and inspector at large for the Grand Chapter of California, Royal Arch Masons as well as the Grand Master of the Third Veil and was Decorated with the Grand Chapter Meritorious Service Award. Excellent Companion Dongo is a two-time recipient of the Russell D. Roberts Perpetual Trophy in 2018 and 2019. He has chaired the Leadership Committee and served in the Membership Committee for several years. For his performance in multiple capitular degrees, he was decorated with the Grand Lecturer’s Ritual Medal.
He has also served for many years internationally on the Board of International Affairs of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International.
Cryptic Masonry
Companion Dongo was Greeted in Sacramento Council No. 1, Cryptic Masons, where he served as Illustrious Master in 2012. He received the Thrice Illustrious Master degree and the Super Excellent Master degree where he serves since as a cast member.
He served the Grand Council as an Inspector, Grand Marshal North and currently as Assistant Director of Ritual. He also Chaired the Grand Council Membership Committee. Companion Dongo was Decorated with the Ish Sodi Award from Sacramento Council. No.1, the Ritualist of the Year for his Department and the Grand Master of lsh Sodi Award from the Grand Council and was Made, Created, and Constituted a Companion of the Secret Vault within the Order of the Secret Vault of the General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International.
Chivalric Masonry
Sir Knight Dongo was Knighted in Sacramento Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, where he served as Commander in 2014 and 2015, earning him the Commander of the Year Award. Ordained a member of the Past Commander’s Association, he is serving as both Virtual Prior and Actual Prior.
He served the Grand Commandery as Inspector and Adjutant. For over ten years, he also served as Commander of the Order of the Temple, serving as Degree Director of all three Chilvaric Orders. For his continued efforts, Sir Knight Dongo received the Knight Templar Meritorious Service Medal Award from the Grand Commandery of California.
The Grand Encampment Knights Templar, College of Honors, Decorated Sir Knight Dongo with the Knights Templar Cross of Honor in 2020 and created him a Knight Commander of the Temple. Sir Knight Dongo was appointed to the Grand Commandery line in 2019.
Sir Knight Dongo has been serving his York Rite bodies as Secretary/Recorder for the last 10 years. He was recognized as the Secretary of the Year by the Grand Chapter and as the Recorder of the Year by the Grand Commandery.
To date, Sir Knight Dongo has welcomed into the York Rite eighty-six (86) members as first line signer, earning him the Membership Excellence or the Distinguished Membership Award of the Grand York Rite for thirteen consecutive years, along with the Membership Medal from the Grand Encampment.
Other Masonic Honors
and Affiliations
In the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, he received the degrees in the Valley of
Sacramento, Orient of California where he served as:
- Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection
- Wise Master of the Chapter of Rose Croix
- Master of Kadosh of the Consistory
He also served his Valley on various Committees and was invested with the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour (KCCH).
He was also Created a Noble of Ben Ali Shrine Temple, Oasis of California.
In the Invitational
Masonic Orders
In the York Rite College, Companion Knight Dongo was Initiated into Sacramento Valley York Rite College No. 159 and served as Preeminent Governor in 2019.
Sir Knight Dongo is a Member of Golden Redwood Priory No.82 where he served as Prior. Sir Knight was coronated a Knight York Grand Cross of Honor with one quadrant by the Convent General Knights of York Cross of Honor.
Installed a Knight Companion in Cross and Crown Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, where he served as Puissant Sovereign.
Sir Knight Dongo is a member of The Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor. Ordained a Knight Priest in New Covenant Tabernacle No. LXVIII, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, where he is currently serving as Fourth Pillar.
Received and Admitted in Golden State College, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis. He has served as Celebrant and has been elevated to the Title and Rank of Magus IX° by the High Council. He has advanced to the Grade of Philologus Adeptus Major in the Societus Philologi of the Golden State College.
Charter member of Sheehan Council No.127, Knight Masons, where he is currently serving as Excellent Chief, Cousin Knight Dongo is also a Past Excellent Chief of Connemara Council No.39 where he was created and invested with the Honors of Knight Commander of Zerubbabel by the Grand Council of Knight Masons, USA.
Member of Camellia City Council No.98, Allied Masonic Degrees, where he served as Sovereign Master, and has served as the 1 st Grade Director in the Ancient and Masonic Order of the Scarlet Cord.
Advanced and Promoted a Knight Companion of the Royal Order of Scotland in the Provincial Grand Lodge of the United States of America, Sir Dongo is a Past Chief of the Golden Claymore Clan and the current President of the Robert the Bruce Association.
Other
Masonic Affiliations
Fellow of the Grand College of Rites of the United States of America.
Member of the Philalethes Society.
Member of the Royal Order Of Zinzibar.
Sir Knight Dongo has been recognized for his community involvement and service by the Sacramento Historical Society with a Freemason Enlightenment Award.