Most Excellent Companion
Thomas C. Chavez, KYGCH
Grand High Priest
Royal Arch Masons of California
Thomas Clemente Chavez was born in Manila, Philippines, on November 26, 1952. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He has been self-employed in his own insurance business for over 41 years.
Tom is married to Angie and has four children and six grandchildren. The couple lives in American Canyon. He likes to play golf and communicate worldwide with his HAM Radio.
Tom petitioned to join masonry in 1997 and was raised the same year. He immediately began a progression through various offices and served as Master of Crocker Lodge No. 212 (Daly City, CA) in 2003. He is a member of San Francisco Lodge No. 120 (San Francisco, CA) and received his Hiram Award in 2017. He is also a member of Mission Lodge No. 169 (San Francisco, CA) and American Canyon Lodge No. 875 (Benicia, CA). He completed the Leadership Management Certification Program (LMCP) online training learning more about managing the lodge, Hall Association, and Investment. He also served the Grand Lodge of California as District Inspector from 2009 to 2018 and as Inspector at Large from 2018 to 2021.
In 1998 he joined the Valley of San Francisco Scottish Rite and received the Knight Commander Court of Honour in 2010. He served as Master of Kadosh in the Consistory in 2014 and is currently serving as Venerable Master in the Lodge of Perfection. He also served as the Valley Chairman of San Francisco Scottish Rite for Membership 2013-2014. He is a member of the Royal Order of Scotland, Robert the Bruce, and Firth of Forth Clan.
Tom is a Past High Priest of California Chapter No. 1 (San Francisco, CA) in 2010. He received the High Priest Award in 2010 in Dept. 1, District 14. He served as Grand Marshal of the North of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of California in 2014. He also served as State Representative of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of California for Nova Scotia. He is a Charter Member of Siminoff Daylight Chapter No. 163 (Union City, CA). He received the Knight of the York Cross of Honor in August 2014. He received the Meritorious Service Award in 2015. He served as Illustrious Master of California Council No. 2 (Burlingame, CA)of Cryptic Masons in 2013 and Commander of California Commandery No. 1 (San Francisco, CA) in 2011.
Tom also served as the Sovereign Master of Golden Gate Council No. 95 Allied Masonic Degree in 2014 and 2015. He is a member of the Saint Francis Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine and an affiliated member of the St. Philips Conclave. He served as President of the Golden Gate Masters and Past Masters in 2020 and 2021. Now, serving as Grand High Priest of the State of California, 2023-2024, a Knight York Grand Cross of Honor.
Most Excellent Companion
Thomas C. Chavez, KYGCH
169th Grand High Priest
Royal Arch Masons of California