Michael E. Berry

This introduction records personal and professional circumstances at the beginning of the term.

I am Kentucky born and bred – having lived in Louisville all my life. We were truly a Masonic Family. My father was a charter member of Shively Lodge No. 951, where I have held membership for 40 years (I am also a dual member of Federal Lodge No. 1 in the District of Columbia). My mother served as Worthy Grand Matron of Kentucky in 1976-77 and as the Chairman of the Cancer Committee in 1991-1994 for Lois Newman (Missouri) and Ed McDonald (Mississippi). She served as Worthy Grand Ruth of the General Grand Chapter (1982-85) for Carol Strizek (Washington) and David Miller (Indiana). My two older sisters (Marilyn and Marsha) were Grand Officers for Kentucky Rainbow, and I served as State Master Councilor of Kentucky DeMolay in 1980-81.

Fairdale Chapter No. 153 is my home chapter where I was the charter Worthy Patron (and current Associate Patron). After being appointed as Grand Marshal in 1992-93, I was elected to Kentucky’s Grand Line serving as Worthy Grand Patron in 1995-96 with Judy L. Miller in the “Precious Moments” year.

After chairing the Jurisprudence Committee of General Grand Chapter from 2000-2003 for Dorothy Dewing (Oregon) and Harles Creech (Louisiana), I was elected to the Board of Right Worthy Grand Trustees for a nine-year term (2003-2012). At the Triennial Assembly in Fort Worth, Texas, I was elected Right Worthy Grand Treasurer and served from 2012-2018. Having been elected Right Worthy Grand Sentinel in Orlando, Florida, and Right Worthy Associate Grand Patron in Washington, DC, I am excited to serve with Billie Bradfield (Arizona) during the 2024-2027 Triennium.

Professionally, I began my career in 1983 as an Assistant to Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins (our first and only female Governor AND a 50+ year member of Eastern Star). In 1986, I became employed by the Kentucky Derby Festival, ultimately serving as President/CEO from 1997-2019. In December of 2019, I was named Secretary of Tourism, Arts and Heritage in the Cabinet of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. I currently serve on the Boards of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and the Kentucky State Fair. I am an inductee in the DeMolay International Hall of Fame, the Phi Kappa Tau National Fraternity Hall of Fame, and the Waggener High School Hall of Fame.

Bill and I have two sons, Chris and Josh, and five grandchildren – Samantha, Hayden, Raygan, Luke and Simon. We are also privileged to be allowed to live with a Mini Bernedoodle, Snickers, who came into our lives in May of 2023.

My greatest moments of joy are spending time with family and friends, attending Broadway musicals, visiting our home in Ft. Myers (Florida), and cheering on the UK Wildcats, Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. Wherever my OES travels take me, I try to remember to “Be Real…Do Right…Bring Joy…Give Thanks.”