Most Worshipful Brother Jeff A. Chretien

Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah 1999

M. W. Brother Chretien was born in Buffalo, New York, on August 17, 1958, to Jack and Mary Chretien. He graduated from Kenmore West High School in Kenmore, New York, in the Bicentennial year of the United States of America. The summers found Jeff working in the family's moving company. In the fall of 1976, Brother Chretien started his undergraduate work in the Business School of the State University of New York at Alfred. Completing an Associate Degree in Computer Science, he transferred to Salt Lake City to attend Westminister College. Throughout high school and college, snow skiing, football, volleyball, discjockeying took up some spare time. While in New York, Brother Chretien skied in downhill and freestyle competitions, and with the National Ski Patrol. An EMT certification through the Patrol was useful in Campus Paramedic volunteer service in New York.

Chretien graduated Suma Cum Laude from Westminister College in 1980, with dual degrees in Business Management and Behavioral Sciences, majoring in Human Resource Management, with minors in Economics, Finance, and Communications. He served as the Business Management Representative to the Legislative Assembly of the Student Body, and was involved in the development of the Associated Students of Westminister College. He is a Fellow Alpha Chi National Honors Fraternity, and is listed in "Who's Who among American Colleges and Universities." It was on campus that Brother Chretien met Patricia Ann McIntire, the undergrad coed of his dreams. They married in August of 1981 at Cottonwood Presbyterian Church, where Jeff was a volunteer advisor working with the youth group. In 1985, the Chretiens purchased, and still reside in a home in Bountiful, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They both enjoy antiques and renovation.

In 1985, following a career in industrial equipment sales, Jeff was employed as general manager of Utah Machine and Mill and Supply Company, Inc., where he and Pat continue to work, and manage a variety of cats. In addition to spending a lot of time in the endless servitude to felines, at home as at work, Jeff enjoys shotgunning, target shooting, pheasant hunting, and occasionally working in the new workshop at home.

M.W. Brother Chretien began his Masonic career in Progress Lodge No. 22 in Salt Lake City, having been Initiated on September 29, 1981, Passed on October 26,1981, and Raised on November 30,1981. Jeff was honored to be selected by Progress Lodge to compete in the 1981 Master Mason of the Year, a program of then Grand Master, LeRoy S. Axland. He served as Worshipful Master in 1987 and 1988 of Progress Lodge. In 1987 Jeff took a dual membership with Uintah Lodge No.7, in Bountiful, serving as secretary from 1990 to 1994, and as Worshipful Master in 1995. He began service to the Grand Lodge Education Committee in 1985, serving as it's chairman in 1988. Jeff served Job's Daughters as Associate Bethel Guardian to Bethel No.9, Bountiful, from 1988 through 1990, and serving on Committees of the Grand Guardian Council of Utah. He was Chapter Advisor to Bountiful Chapter, Order of DeMolay and was appointed as Executive Officer for DeMolay in Utah in 1991, retiring from that position in 1996. He is an Active Member of DeMolay International, and holds the Honorary Legion of Honor in that Order.

Brother Chretien has been recognized for his leadership in the Masonic Youth Programs in Utah by having been presented with the Francis W. Douglas Youth Leadership Award, and the York Rite Masonic Youth Leadership Award.

Jeff became a 320 Scottish Rite Mason during the 159th Reunion of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Salt Lake City, Utah, in April of 1982. It should come as no surprise that he was elected Orator of that class. He was honored with the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour on October 31, 1987, and was Coroneted a 330 Inspector General Honorary on November 6, 1993. He has served as Chairman of the Education and Americanism Committee for the Orient of Utah since 1986, and is a Past Venerable Master of the Jordan Lodge of Perfection and Past Commander of the Council of Kadosh in the Valley of Salt Lake. He has directed the Eighteenth Degree since 1987, and enjoys participating in several Degree presentations. He is a Trustee of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Utah.

Chretien became a noble of EI Kalah Shrine Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., serving as the "Cheerleader" of the "Super Bees of 83" during the Western Shrine Association Conference in Salt Lake City. He has served as Wagonmaster of the Utah Caravan to the Intermountain Unit of the Shriners Hospital for Children. He joined the Utah No.1 Bodies of York Rite in 1994, is a Past Eminent Commander of Utah Commandery No.1, Knights Templar and is serving in the Officer line of the Chapter and Council. Jeff began serving on the Board of Directors of the Utah Masonic Youth Foundation in 1991, serving as Treasurer from 1994 until 1998. Brother Chretien is a Past Patron of Bethsaida Chapter No. 22, in Bountiful, of the Order of Eastern Star. He is a member of the Royal Order of Scotland, the Royal Scots of Utah, and Lions International.

M. W. Brother Chretien was appointed to the Grand Lodge Office line in 1992 by M.W. James D. Wadley, as Junior Grand Steward. He subsequently served the Grand Lodge in the positions of Grand Chaplain, Grand Marshal, Grand Lecturer, and was elected as Junior Grand Warden in 1996. He was installed as the 123rd Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Utah at the 127th Annual Communication.

Electronically Transcribed as written without corrections to grammar or spelling by Aaron E. Saathoff, P.M., March, 2005.