Grand Lodge Officers Background Information

 

Grand Master MW Brother Joseph B. Ferrell, 33°

Read his bio here.

Deputy Grand Master RW Brother James WIlliams, 33°

Right Worshipful Brother James Williams was elected to the office of Deputy Grand Master in 2025, having progressed through the line of leadership.

  • He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in February 1980.

  • Bodley Lodge No. 1 in Quincy, IL is Brother Williams’ mother lodge where he served as Worshipful Master (2001 to 2003) and Secretary (2003 to 2007 and 2018 to 2025). He is also an honorary member of Fellowship Lodge No. 89.

  • Brother Williams served as a commissioned ritual instructor including as a Grand Lecturer (2000). Having distinguished himself amongst his peers, Brother Williams joined the Grand Lodge Board of Grand Examiners (2004) and served as Secretary (2010 to 2013) and Chairman (2014 to 2017).

  • He has served on several Grand Lodge Committees including currently on the Illinois Masonic Children’s Assistance Program (IMCAP) Board of Managers.

  • In addition to Blue Lodge Masonry, Brother Williams is a member of several Appendant Masonic Bodies in which he has received various recognitions. In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, he was recognized as an honorary member of the Supreme Council 33° (2023).

Senior Grand Warden RW Brother Angelo Deserio, 33°

Right Worshipful Brother Angelo Deserio was elected to the office of Senior Grand Warden in 2025, having progressed through the line of leadership.

  • He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in May 2004.

  • Matteson Lodge No. 175 in Joliet, IL is Brother Deserio’s mother lodge where he served as Worshipful Master (2008) and as Secretary since 2024. He is also a voting or honorary member of nine additional lodges in which he also has served in several elected positions.

  • Working closely with the Brethren and lodges in the Northeastern Masonic Area of the state, Brother Deserio served as a District Deputy Grand Master (2009 to 2015) and Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master (2015 to 2021).

  • He has served on several Grand Lodge Committees including currently on the Illinois Masonic Outreach Services (IMOS) Board of Managers.

  • In addition to Blue Lodge Masonry, Brother Deserio is a member of several Appendant Masonic Bodies in which he has received various recognitions. In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, he was recognized as an honorary member of the Supreme Council 33° (2023).

Junior Grand Warden RW Brother Patrick Grubbs

Right Worshipful Brother Patrick Grubbs was elected to the office of Junior Grand Warden in 2025, having progressed through the line of leadership.

  • He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in March 2000. Fellowship Lodge No. 89 located in Marion, IL is Brother Grubbs’ mother lodge where he served as Worshipful Master (2009 and 2015). He is also an honorary member of 15 additional lodges.

  • Working closely with the Brethren and lodges in the 14th Southern District, Brother Grubbs served as District Deputy Grand Master (2019 to 2023).

  • He has served on several Grand Lodge Committees including currently on the Illinois Masonic Student Assistance Program (IMSAP) Board of Managers.

  • In addition to Blue Lodge Masonry, Brother Grubbs is a member of several Appendant Masonic Bodies.

Grand Treasurer MW Brother Anthony R. Cracco, 33°

Most Worshipful Brother Anthony R. Cracco is a Past Grand Master (2016-2017) and has been annually reelected to the office of Grand Treasurer since 2017.

  • He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in February 1991.

  • Landmark Lodge No. 422 in Tinley Park, IL is Brother Cracco’s mother lodge where he served as Worshipful Master (1997 and 2004). He is also a voting or honorary member of 19 additional lodges.

  • Brother Cracco serves Illinois Freemasonry as a Grand Lecturer (since 2004), a commissioned ritual instructor.

  • Working closely with the Brethren and lodges in the Northeastern Masonic Area of the state, Brother Cracco served as a District Deputy Grand Master (1998 to 2001), Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master (2002), and Area Deputy Grand Master (2003 to 2005).

  • He has served on several Grand Lodge Committees including currently serving as the Chairman of the Grand Lodge Finance Committee.

  • In addition to Blue Lodge Masonry, Brother Cracco is a member of several Appendant Masonic Bodies in which he has received various recognitions. In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, he was recognized as an honorary member of the Supreme Council 33° (2007) and distinguished further by being elected as an Active member of the Supreme Council 33° (2020).

Grand Secretary RW Brother Franklin E. Cline, 33°

Right Worshipful Brother Franklin E. Cline has been annually reelected to the office of Grand Secretary since 2011.

  • He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in March 1985.

  • Harmony Lodge No. 3 in Jacksonville, IL is Brother Cline’s mother lodge (following the consolidation of Jacksonville Lodge No. 570 in 2004). He served as Worshipful Master of Jacksonville Lodge No. 570 (1989, 1992 and 2002). Since 2008, Brother Cline has served multiple times as either Treasurer or Secretary of his lodge. He is also an honorary member of 13 additional lodges.

  • Working closely with the Brethren and lodges in the 14th Western District, Brother Cline served as District Deputy Grand Master (1989 to 1993).

  • Brother Cline has served the Grand Lodge operations in multiple capacities across the years and is currently serving on the Grand Lodge Finance Committee.

  • In addition to Blue Lodge Masonry, Brother Cline is a member of several Appendant Masonic Bodies in which he has received various recognitions. In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, he was recognized as an honorary member of the Supreme Council 33° (2005). 

Senior Grand Deacon RW Brother Christopher Both, 33°

Right Worshipful Brother Christopher Both was appointed to the office of Senior Grand Deacon in 2025, having served previously as the Junior Grand Deacon.

  • He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in October 2010. Watseka Lodge No. 446 in Watseka, IL is Brother Both’s mother lodge where he served as Worshipful Master (2013 and 2015) and Secretary (2018 to 2020). He is also an honorary member of two additional lodges.

  • Working closely with the Brethren and lodges in the 4th Eastern District, Brother Both served as District Deputy Grand Master (2023).

  • He serves as the Chairman of the Illinois Masonic Student Assistance Program (IMSAP) Board of Managers, having first joined this committee in 2018.

  • In addition to Blue Lodge Masonry, Brother Both is a member of several Appendant Masonic Bodies in which he has received various recognitions. In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, he was recognized as an honorary member of the Supreme Council 33° (2025).

Junior Grand Deacon RW Brother James “Chip” Smith

Right Worshipful Brother James “Chip” Smith was appointed to the office of Junior Grand Deacon in 2025.

  • He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in April 2000.

  • Hesperia Lodge No. 411 in Chicago, IL is Brother Smith’s mother lodge where he served as Worshipful Master (2022 and 2023) and Treasurer since 2023. He is also a voting member of eight additional lodges in which he also held or serves in various elected positions.

  • Working closely with the Brethren and lodges in the 5th Northeastern District, Brother Smith served as the District Deputy Grand Master (2023 to 2025).

  • He serves as the Chairman of the Grand Lodge Illinois Masonic Charities Committee, having first joined this committee in 2022.

  • In addition to Blue Lodge Masonry, Brother Smith is a member of several Appendant Masonic Bodies.