FREDRON DeKARLOS BLACKMON, Obl.S.B.

OFFICE: Supreme Knight and Chief Executive Officer – Chairman of the Board

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2010

The Sixteenth Supreme Knight of the Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. He is the Past President of the Gulf Coast Conference; previously serving as the Gulf Coast Conference Vice President and Grand Knight of the Sir Knight Charles T. Smoot Council No. 286 of Huntsville. He is a native of Mobile, the birthplace of Claverism. Sir Knight Blackmon served with distinction in the U.S. Army Chaplains’ Corps. He holds undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees to include a Masters of Business Administration in Public Management and a Masters of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He is the pastoral associate and director of liturgy and music for Saint Joseph Catholic Church, and taught vocal music and theology at Pope John Paul II Catholic High School in Huntsville, Alabama. He is married to Gracious Lady Kanobia A. Russell-Blackmon of Mobile.

JAMES K. ELLIS

OFFICE: Deputy Supreme Knight

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2006

James K. Ellis has served in numerous leadership positions in the Knights of Peter Claver, most recently as the Texas State Deputy.  He was elected as Deputy Supreme Knight in 2012.  In his professional life, Ellis serves as a Senior Manager in Natural Resources and Construction Industry of the Large Business and International Division of IRS heading a team of seven managers and 59  Revenue Agents and management assistants in Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Houston and Dallas, with audit responsibility for some of the nation’s largest corporate taxpayers engaged in oil and gas, forestry, mining, chemical, public utilities,  waste management,  and nuclear energy business activities.

James is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University where he received a BBA in accounting.  James instructs IRS tax practitioner classes with the Texas A&M’s Tax Practitioner Workshops.  He served as President of the Board of Directors for the Donald R. Watkins Memorial Foundation, one of the largest non-profit HIV-AIDS organizations in Texas.  James serves as Chair of the Finance Council of St. Mary’s of the Purification Catholic Church in Houston Tx.   He also coaches basketball at a Houston area Catholic Junior High School.

ATHANASE J. JONES, JR.

OFFICE: National Secretary

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2008

A fourth-generation member of the Knights of Peter Claver; previously serving as the Order’s fifth Executive Director and Gulf Coast District Deputy. He has served as Grand Knight of Msgr. Walter J. Darcy Council No. 335 in Jacksonville and Faithful Scribe of Pierre Toussaint Fourth Degree Assembly No. 45 in Savannah, GA. Jones also serves under a special appointment as the Order’s Public Relations and Technology Director.  He is a retired Naval Officer and highly decorated Gulf War veteran who serves on the Boards of the National Black Catholic Congress and Catholic Charities. Jones holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Norfolk State University and a Masters of Science Degree in Management from Troy University.  Professionally, he is a financial systems administrator employed as Fiscal Officer for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Jacksonville District Office.

OMAR E. JONES

OFFICE: National Treasurer

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2012

A 20-year member of Knights of Peter Claver, he is a native Houstonian and has served this Noble Order in numerous capacities now as a past Grand Knight also served as the Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Jr. Knight Commander of St. Philip Neri Council 222. He also served this Noble Order as the past Recording Secretary for the Texas State Conference. He is a faithful member of Fr. John H. Dorsey Assembly No. 2 where he has served as the Faithful Captain and Faithful Scribe. He currently serves his parish and community as an instituted Acolyte under the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. He holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas Southern University with Post Baccalaureate from the University of Houston in Business Ethics and Tax Research Methodology. He is employed as a Global Finance Manager with JP Morgan Chase Bank. He is a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants currently working on his certification through the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

WILLIAM T. EVERETTE, JR.

OFFICE: National Advocate

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2010

Native of New Orleans; earned degrees from University of Arkansas, Oral Roberts University and Tulane Law School. Former U.S. Navy JAG. Served as a Senior Attorney for FDIC, EEOC, Social Security Administration, and HUD Office of Resolution Management. Former Director of Delta Law Foundation and Deputy Director of Legal Aid of Arkansas. Lecturer of Public Law at Xavier University. Everette serves as the Executive Director of the Saint Peter Claver Foundation, the charitable arm of KPC.

PAUL H. LEDET, JR.

OFFICE: National Lay Board Member

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2012

Sir Knight Ledet is a native of Houston, Texas. An active and involved member of the Knights of Peter Claver Family since being initiated in 1975 as a Jr. Knight in Our Mother of Mercy Perpetual Jr. Branch No. 72. He held various leadership positions as a Junior Knight before transferring to the senior division in 1982 where he held numerous leadership positions on the local and state levels. Nationally, he has served as Assistant National Secretary, National Conclave Scribe, and Supreme Controller. Sir Knight Ledet is the recipient of the Silver Medal of Merit and is the 2012 recipient of the Cartagena Award.

A life-long member of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Houston, he has served in various ministries and leadership positions. Ledet is a graduate of Houston’s High School of the Performing & Visual Arts. He has further his studies at the University of Houston, Houston Community College, and Hargest Technical College. He is employed by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the Rowan Companies, Inc.

TILMON D. KING

OFFICE: Director General, Junior Knights

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2008

A member of the Knights of Peter Claver for eleven years. Has served as Grand Knight and Jr. Knight Commander of Council No. 325 in New Orleans. King has also served as Area Commander, National Commander/Counselor Committee Chairman, and National Parliamentarian. As Director General, his focus is on the needs and goals of the Junior Knights while expanding Jr. Branches throughout the nation. Sir Knight King holds a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University and is a Licensed Real Estate Agent in Louisiana. He is employed by the United States government.

MOST REV. MARTIN G. HOLLEY, D.D.

AUXILIARY BISHOP OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

OFFICE: National Chaplain

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2010

A native of Pensacola, Florida, the eighth of 14 children. He attended Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama where he was a star member of the basketball team, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Management in 1977. Bishop Holley attended Theological College in Washington, DC and completed his seminary studies at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida in 1987. He was ordained as a priest of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee on May 8, 1987. He served as Pastor of Little Flower Catholic Church in Pensacola until his appointment by Pope John Paul II as Auxiliary Bishop of Washington. He was ordained a bishop on July 2, 2004 at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, DC. Bishop Holley serves on a number of committees for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as well as the boards of the DC Catholic Conference, Maryland Catholic Conference, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese.

GENE A. PHILLIPS, SR.

OFFICE: Immediate Past Supreme Knight

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2006

The fifteenth Supreme Knight of the Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. The 2005 Recipient of the Knights of Peter Claver Gold Medal of Merit. A charter Member of Council #231 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Houston. Previously served as Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, and Board of Trustees member. A member Father John Dorsey Fourth Degree Assembly #2 also in Houston. Held positions in KPC as Supreme Pilot, 3rd Vice President and 1st Vice President of the Texas State Conference, Texas State Deputy, and Deputy Supreme Knight. Born in Opelousas, Louisiana, Sir Knight Phillips is a graduate of J.S. Clark High School and Texas Southern University. He is a decorated veteran of the U.S. Air Force; married to Lady Elsa Phillips with two sons and two grand children.

GRANT A. JONES

OFFICE: Gulf Coast District Deputy, KPC

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2010

A fourth-generation member of the Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. Initiated into Paul Ladnier Jr. Branch #4 in 1976. Currently a member of Saints Peter and Paul Council #313 and a member of Fourth Degree Assembly #43. Previously served as Gulf Coast Conference Vice President; succeeded F. DeKarlos Blackmon as Conference President; appointed as District Deputy in 2010. Also serves in a special appointment as KPC Director of Conventions and Chair of the Personnel Committee. Sir Knight Jones attended Southern University at New Orleans. He is a retired hotel and restaurant food and beverage executive having served at some of the nation's largest hotel and restaurant corporations.  Jones is the owner and Managing Partner of Jones Management Group, LLC in Atlanta.

GREGORY WARNER, SR.

OFFICE: Western States District Deputy, KPC

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2010

A member of the Knights of Peter Claver for over 24 years with dedicated service in various capacities at the local and district levels. Former Grand Knight of Council #220 at Transfiguration Church in Los Angeles; four-time Expansion Award recipient. Also served as Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Financial Secretary. Formed Junior Branch #220 in 1996 and served as Junior Knight Commander. Former Area Deputy and Junior Knight Area Commander. Held positions in the Western States District Conference as Sergeant-at-Arms, Secretary/Treasurer, and President. Warner is owner and CEO of Renraw Press in Los Angeles.

CURTIS J. GUYNN

OFFICE: Northern States District Deputy, KPC

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2010

A 40-year member of the Knights of Peter Claver. Former Grand Knight of St. Rita Council #97 in Indianapolis. Past Faithful Navigator of Fr. Bernard L. Strange 4th Degree Assembly #14. Served the Order in numerous capacities including: Northern States Conference President and Vice-President, Area Deputy, and Indianapolis Central Committee President. Served on the national level as Supreme Purser and Supreme Outer Sentinel. Sir Knight Guynn holds an Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Bachelors Degree in Business from Indiana University. He is a freelance photographer for the Indianapolis Recorder and has been employed by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a Program Manager for the past 25 years.

ALVIN WILTZ

OFFICE: Louisiana State Deputy, KPC

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2012

A 37-year member of the Knights of Peter Claver, Wiltz served ten years as Louisiana State
President. A resident of the “Crawfish Capital of the World,” Breaux Bridge, La., Wiltz is a
member of the St. Francis of Assisi Knights of Peter Claver Council 49. He earned degrees from
the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Southern University. A former educator/school
administrator, Wiltz is currently Executive Director of SMILE Community Action Agency. He
also serves as President of the True Friends Society of LaPointe. He is a charter member of the
Nu Theta Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. A widower, he has four
daughters and four grandchildren.

RON MITCHELL

OFFICE: Texas State Deputy, KPC

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2012

A member of Father John H. Dorsey Assembly #2 and Father Timothy J. Sullivan Council 138, both in Houston, Texas. Elected as State Deputy of Texas in 2012, Sir Knight Mitchell has served as Faithful Steward of Assembly #2, Immediate Past Grand Knight of Council 138 and served as 1st Vice President of the Texas State Conference. Sir Knight Mitchell attended Prairie View A&M University and University of Houston. He is a retired Banker and has served the local community as President of the Houston Police Department Storefront and local Youth Associations. He is owner of E-Z Mail Management in Houston, Texas.

SKIP RILEY

OFFICE: Central States District Deputy, KPC

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2012

A member of the Knights of Peter Claver for over 24 years, Skip Riley has served in various offices on both the local and District levels.  He has served as Grand Knight, Treasurer and Financial Secretary; Central States District Conference Secretary and Central States District Conference President.  Sir Knight Riley is a member of Bishop Carl A. Fisher Assembly #42, in Denver, Colorado, where he is the Past Faithful Navigator.  The Denver native loves the outdoors and the beautiful Rocky Mountains.  He has been a member of the Owl Club Scholarship Foundation since 1994, serving as the Secretary.  The Foundation provides scholarship funding for high school graduating seniors who demonstrate high academic achievement with the need for financial assistance to attend college.  Skip attended Mesa State College and Metro State.  He has held various positions with the Department of the Army and the Air Force Accounting and Finance Center before retiring from the U.S. Postal Service.

JAMES A. NEAL

OFFICE: Supreme Navigator, Meritorious 4th Degree, KPC

YEAR ELECTED TO THE BOARD: 2008

A member of St. Monica Council # 151 in Houston. Previous service as Outer Guard, Inner Guard, Warden, Asst. Jr. Knight Commander, and Grand Knight. A member of Fr. John H. Dorsey 4th Degree Assembly # 2; served as Faithful Pilot, Faithful Captain, and Faithful Navigator. On the Supreme General Assembly, Sir Knight Neal has served as Supreme Captain and presently serving as Supreme Navigator. Neal resides in Houston and is employed by Centerpoint Energy as a Surveyor. He attended Forest Brook H.S and Texas Southern University.