Dirk Hughes has been an active Freemason for more than 30 years, serving as a member of Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34. Since 2014, he has held the role of Director of the Michigan Masonic Museum & Library in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Throughout his career, Dirk has traveled across Michigan and several other states, delivering educational presentations on Masonic history and related topics to various Masonic organizations as well as to the general public.

He is the founder and chairman of the Michigan Council on Research & Education (MiCORE), an initiative of the Grand Lodge of Michigan. MiCORE was created to support the educational needs of lodges across the jurisdiction by combining traditional learning methods with innovative technologies.

Over the course of his Masonic journey, Dirk has served in multiple leadership roles within his Craft Lodge and several appendant bodies. In recognition of his dedication and contributions, he was honored with the 33rd Degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2010, alongside other nominees of the AASR Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

Since September 2025, Dirk has served as President of the Masonic Library and Museum Association (MLMA). In this role, he seeks to build upon the association’s strong legacy while continuing to strengthen its future success and expand the value it provides to its members.

Julia has a bachelor’s in history with a minor in Geography. She went on to get a master’s in public history with a focus on historical administration from the University of North Alabama. Julia has completed projects for various organizations including the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, the Georgian Papers Programme, and the Lawrence County Archives.

She started at the Iowa Masonic Library and Museum in October of 2022. Julia is a majority Rainbow girl from Alabama, where she served as Grand Worthy Advisor. She is currently very active with DeMolay and Rainbow in Iowa. Her family is very Masonically inclined, and she uses that knowledge to help educate the community about the good deeds of Freemasonry.

Tyler Vanice holds one of the most engaging roles within the Masonic Fraternity, serving as Director of Collections and Member Services at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia.

In his role overseeing the Museum and Library, Tyler curates exhibitions, develops articles and educational presentations, and works to preserve and interpret the history of George Washington and Freemasonry for both Masonic members and the general public.

Tyler previously served as President of the Masonic Library and Museum Association of North America (MLMA) from 2021 to 2023, and since 2023 he has continued his service to the association as Secretary. In addition, he serves as Secretary of The Philalethes Society, North America’s premier and longest continuously operating Masonic research society, founded in 1928.

Brother Vanice petitioned the Fraternity in 2017 and has since been actively involved in a wide range of Masonic bodies, holding officer positions in several. His Masonic affiliations include the York Rite, Scottish Rite, and the Order of the Eastern Star, among many others.

He currently serves as Senior Steward of Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120, Virginia, and is also a member of Alexandria–Washington Lodge No. 22, Virginia.

Eric Trosdahl is a financial professional and community leader based in Stillwater, Minnesota. He serves as the Board Treasurer for the St. Croix Valley Opera, contributing to the organization’s financial oversight and supporting its mission within the arts community.

Professionally, he has experience as an IRS-registered tax preparer, offering tax preparation and accounting services throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

He is also associated with the Rivertown Inn in Stillwater, further reflecting his strong connection to the local community.

James Henry Ferguson serves as the Museum Collections Manager and Registrar at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia.

Ferguson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical and Religious Studies from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, with a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and a Master of Arts in Museum Science from Texas Tech University, with a minor in Heritage Management. His academic training also includes participation in a Greece Archaeological Field School, and he previously interned in the Museum Collections Department at the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C.

A lifelong Freemason, Ferguson was raised in James L. Eatmon Lodge No. 294 in Nebraska in 2010 and later affiliated with Alexandria–Washington Lodge No. 22 in Virginia. He is also a member of Mount Vernon Lodge No. 219, Henry Knox Field – John Blair Lodge No. 349 (where he currently serves as Senior Warden), and A. Douglas Smith Jr. Research Lodge No. 1949.

He is active in several appendant bodies, including the Scottish Rite (K.C.C.H.), Royal Arch Masons, and the Knights Templar, where as of 2026 he serves as Junior Warden of Old Dominion Commandery No. 11. He also serves as Scribe of Mount Vernon Chapter No. 14 and Senior Deacon of Charles A. Sinclair, Jr. Council No. 412, Allied Masonic Degrees.

Ferguson began his Masonic journey in DeMolay International, where he was a charter member of Fort Sidney Chapter in Nebraska and served as Master Councilor. He later received the Representative DeMolay, Lamp of Knowledge, and the Chevalier Degree, and continues to support the organization as an adult advisor.

Thomas L. Hauder was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on June 8, 1995, passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft Mason on June 22, 1995, and raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on June 29, 1995, in East Lincoln Lodge No. 210, Lincoln, Nebraska. After progressing through the chairs, he was elected and served as Master of East Lincoln Lodge No. 210 in 2000.

In 2006, Thomas was a charter member and the first Master of Tabula Rasa Lodge No. 332, the first new lodge established in Nebraska in many years. He served as Master of Tabula Rasa Lodge for two years.

On November 16, 1995, Thomas received the 32nd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite at the Valley of Lincoln, Nebraska. He later went on to serve as Master of Kadosh in 2004 and is a life member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Lincoln. Thomas received his K.C.C.H. (Knight Commander Court of Honour) on October 17, 2017.

Thomas joined Florence Chapter No. 61, Royal Arch Masons, on September 26, 2009, Omaha Council No. 1 of Cryptic Masons on October 20, 2012, and Mount Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar, on October 20, 2012.

He was initiated into National Sojourners, Omaha Chapter No. 19, on February 27, 2013.

Thomas served as a member of the Grand Lodge Education Committee from 2004 through 2013, and is the Webmaster and administrator for the Nebraska Masonic education website and online forum. He has also served on the Internet and Technology Committee and the Masonic Heritage Committee. In addition, he serves as Secretary for the Midwest Conference on Masonic Education.

Thomas is the Curator and Librarian for the Nebraska Masonic Library and Museum.

Masonic education and research are among Thomas’s favorite subjects. He is a member of the Masonic Society, Philalethes Society, and the Scottish Rite Research Society, and is also a founding member of Saints John Lodge No. 331, Lodge of Education.

Thomas was appointed Grand Junior Steward by M.W.B. Dean Skokan in 2007, appointed Grand Orator by M.W.B. Reg Kuhn in 2008, appointed Grand Junior Deacon by M.W.B. Russ Reno in 2009, and appointed Grand Senior Deacon by M.W.B. John T. Parsons in 2010.

He was later elected Grand Junior Warden, serving under M.W.B. Bruce A. Baker, and elected Deputy Grand Master / Grand Master-elect, serving under M.W.B. Rex A. Moats.

Thomas was installed as the 147th Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Nebraska at the Younes Convention Center in Kearney, Nebraska, on February 2, 2013.