State Officers

State Master Councilor 
Br. Jorge Hernandez

Br. Jorge Hernandez was installed as State Master Councilor on August 21, 2022, at the 55th Annual New York DeMolay Convention. 

He joined Mohawk Valley Chapter on March 29, 2014. Br. Hernandez first saw and became interested in DeMolay while accompanying his father to a Masonic meeting. While waiting for his father to finish, he caught a glimpse of the meeting, then Dad Verdon and the other members paused to greet him.
Br. Hernandez holds the Founder’s Membership Award, Chevalier Lamp of Knowledge, Representative DeMolay award, and various merit bars.
 
Br. Hernandez is studying Music Education at SUNY Potsdam, to fulfill his dream of becoming a teacher in the arts. He has dedicated time and money to build a home recording studio from the ground up. There, he can practice bass, guitar, and anything else with comfort.
 
 
 
 
 


 

Deputy State Master Councilor
Br. Gavin Johnson

 

Br. Gavin Johnson was installed as Deputy State Master Councilor on August 21st, 2022 at the 55th Annual New York DeMolay Convention.

He joined Ridge Council Chapter on August 2, 2015. He later would become a charter member of the reconstituted Olean Chapter. He joined DeMolay because his grandpa and dad are both Masons and they spoke highly of DeMolay. He has served as Chaplain, Senior and Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steard, Senior Councilor, and Master Councilor. He served as Lakes Region Master Councilor from 2021-2022. He was appointed in 2019 to the MATOC Board of Directors by "Dad" Bruce N. Hazard and has been reappointed every year since. 


He holds the Representative DeMolay, Lamp of Knowledge, New York Rite Tribune, and the Degree of Chevalier. He graduated from Olean High School and is currently in the workforce.







Lakes Region Master Councilor 
Br. Joseph Newton
 
Br. Joseph Newton was elected as Lakes Region Master Councilor on August 21st, 2022 at the 55th Annual New York DeMolay Convention. He joined Meridian Sun Chapter on March 21, 2016.

He joined DeMolay because of the fun and fellowship he saw and his family’s positive experience in Freemasonry.

Br. Newton has served in several offices in DeMolay, including Master Councilor of Meridian Sun Chapter and the founding Master Councilor of Chadwick Bay Chapter. 

Br. Newton has been honored with the Lamp of Knowledge, The Representative DeMolay, and in 2022 was elected to receive the Degree of Chevalier. Br. Newton is attending the State University of New York at Fredonia studying music.

 

 

 

Rivers Region Master Councilor 
Br. Nicholas G. Heitmann

Br. Nicholas Heitmann was re-installed as Four Rivers Region Master Counciloron August 21st, 2022 at the 55th Annual New York DeMolay Convention. He joined Trinity Chapter on April 14, 2014 in and would affiliate with Mohawk Valley on April 20, 2020 .He joined DeMolay because his older brother Josh was in DeMolay and also his parents and grandmother are active in the Order of Eastern Star.
 

Br. Heitmann has served as Senior Deacon, Scribe and Master Councilor of Trinity Chapter. He has previously served as Lakes Region Master Councilor, State Chaplain and Rivers Region Master Councilor.

Br. Heitmann has earned the Lamp of Knowledge, The Representative DeMolay and is a Chevalier. He also earned the Coaches’ Award in Wrestling. In 2022, he was honored with the York Rite Tribune.

Br. Heitmann graduated from Paul V. Moore High School in Syracuse NY and he is currently studying photography at Onondaga Community College where he is also a collegiate athlete on the track team.

 





State Scribe
Br. James R. Hess
 

 
Br. James R. Hess was installed as State Scribe on August 21st, 2022 at the 55th Annual New York DeMolay Convention.He joined Mohawk Valley Chapter on April 17, 2019. He joined DeMolay because of his family's multi-generational Masonic Experience and because his father is a proud Senior DeMolay. Br. James shares, "I sought the opportunity to carry on the family legacy and enjoy the benefits of what DeMolay has to offer."

Brother Hess has served as Master Councilor of Mohawk Valley Chapter.

Brother Hess has earned the Representative DeMolay Award, the Lamp of Knowledge, and had earned a Number One pin for bringing in new members.  Currently he is a Junior at Herkimer High School and employed in the food service industry.