C. Michael Watson of Ohio was installed Grand Master at the 88th Annual Session in Anaheim, California on June 21, 2008.

Brother Watson has served Ohio DeMolay as Executive Officer from 1999 - 2003. He has served on and chaired various International Committees including Membership and Fraternal Relations. He is a Frank S. Land Fellow for DeMolay International and an Honorary Legion of Honor.

Brother Watson is a Master Mason of West Milton Lodge #577 and served the lodge as Worshipful Master in 1978. He served the Grand Lodge of Ohio as District Deputy Grand Master from 1989 - 1991. In 1991 he was appointed as Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. After advancing through the Grand Lodge line, in 1997 he was elected and installed Grand Master of Masons in Ohio.

Brother Watson has provided service and leadership within appendent orders of the Masonic Fraternity as follows:

* Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, NMJ - Honorary Member Supreme Council, 33rd Degree.
* Valley of Dayton, Ohio, AASR NMJ - Past Sovereign Prince and Trustee of the Valley
* Antioch Shrine, AAONMS, Dayton - ROJ Court #10, Past Masters Unit
* Ormus Grotto M.O.V.P.E.R.
* Royal Order of Scotland
* Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine - Holy Grail Conclave, Charlemagne Conclave Past Sovereign
* Allied Masonic Degrees - Thomas Smith Webb Chapter, Alpha Council Past Sovereign Master; Grand Council, AMD of the USA, Junior Grand Warden
* Knight Masons of the USA - Irish Council Past Excellent Chief; Grand Council Knight Masons of the USA Junior Grand Warden
* Order of the Eastern Star - Sharon Chapter Past Worthy Patron
* Order of the Amaranth
* Franklin Chapter, RAM/ Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests
* Franklin Council, R&S Masons
* Coleman Commandery; St. George Commandery Knights Templar - Past Commander; Knight Commander of the Temple
* Miami Valley York Rite College
* Masonic Societas Rosicrucruciana In Civitatibus Federatis - 9th Grade

Brother Watson Graduated from Bowling Green State University with a B.S. in Technology. He received an Honorable Discharge as a non-commissioned officer from the United States Marine Corps.

He is a member of other community and civic organizations. He and his wife attend the United Methodist Church.

Brother Watson resides in Troy, Ohio with his wife, Brenda. They have two grown sons and his younger son is presently serving in Iraq.

Robert W. Cockerham of Missouri was installed Grand Senior Councilor at the 88th Annual Session in Anaheim, California on June 21, 2008.

Brother Cockerham is a PMC-MSA and currently Chairman of George L. Walters Chapter, where he has served as Chapter Dad or other advisor for over 30 years; and a Past State Master Councilor of Missouri DeMolay. He is an Active Member and current Grand Senior Councilor of the International Supreme Council, and serves as Executive Officer for Missouri DeMolay. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for DeMolay International and has held membership and leadership positions on various DeMolay International committees.

As an advisor, Dad Cockerham has been honored with the Legion of Honor, Cross of Honor, Guild of the Leather Apron and Advisor's Honor Key. He has been honored with four separate Grand Master's Eagle Awards, and the General Grand Council Cryptic Masons Adult Leadership medal. Dad Cockerham is a Frank S. Land Fellow I and Fellow II of DeMolay International. He has served on over 25 DeMolay Leadership Training Conferences, and as the Director.

While an active DeMolay, he earned the Degree of Chevalier, Distinguished Service Award, multiple Blue Honor Keys, FMA, RD, LCC and Scribe's Efficiency Certificate. He is twice a Past Master of Clayton Lodge No. 601, a multiple member of Polar Star Lodge No. 79, and has served as a District Deputy Grand Master and on numerous Committees of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. He is a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and serves as the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Scottish Rite for the Orient of Missouri. He is a member and past officer of several York Rite Bodies, Moolah Shrine Temple, the Grotto, and numerous other Masonic Organizations.

Brother Cockerham is a trial lawyer by profession and is married to Mom Stacy Cockerham. They have seven children, including three DeMolays.

Wesley D. Thornton of New Mexico was installed Grand Junior Councilor at the 88th Annual Session in Anaheim, California on June 21, 2008.

Wesley D. Thornton was born in Levelland, Texas in 1951. His family moved to Farmington, New Mexico in early 1952 where he lived until after graduating from Farmington High School. Brother Thornton began his DeMolay experience in Farmington Chapter (Now James H. Gibson Chapter) in 1968, Farmington, New Mexico. He was initiated in the New Mexico Knighthood Priory in 1969 and held the offices of Master Councilor and Illustrious Knight Commander simultaneously. His DeMolay Honors include PMC-MSA, Blue Honor Key, Representative DeMolay, Chevalier, Legion of Honor and Zerrubabel Key. Dad Thornton was elected as a Deputy Member of the Supreme Council at the 75th Anniversary in 1994, and Active Membership in 1998. He has served the New Mexico DeMolay Association as Director of Finance and Information and as Chairman of the Advisory Council of two different Chapters. He has served two consecutive terms on the Board of Directors of DeMolay International as the Region VII Representative and was elected Grand Junior Councilor June 21, 2008.

Dad Thornton served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged as an E-5, Staff Sergeant. After the Air Force, he return to college and graduated with a Bachelor of Accountancy from New Mexico State University. He met and married Robin Graham while attending college. They have two sons, Andrew and Brian, both of whom are Past State Master Councilor�s of the New Mexico DeMolay Association.

In 1986, Dad Thornton was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant and began Private Practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Mexico Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Brother Thornton is a fourth generation Master Mason and is a twice past master. In 2002 he was appointed as the Charter Master of Edgewood Lodge No. 82 AF&AM. He is a member of o the Scottish Rite Bodies of Santa Fe and the York Rite Bodies of Farmington. He is also a member of the Ballut Abyad Shrine Center in Albuquerque, where he served as Captain of the Shrine Mounted Patrol and Secretary/Treasurer. He is a Past District Deputy Grand Master, Grand Lodge of New Mexico, Past Treasurer of two Lodges and currently is serving the Grand Lodge of New Mexico as Grand Treasurer.

In December 2003 Brother Thornton received 330, and was elected Treasurer of Valley of Santa Fe Lodge of Perfection, a post he held until 2005.

He has served on the board of directors of the New Mexico Appaloosa Horse Club, and is presently serving on the DeMolay Foundation of New Mexico board of directors as Secretary Treasurer.

The Thornton's are members of Covenant United Methodist Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

James C. McGee of Alabama was installed Grand Treasurer at the 88th Annual Session in Anaheim, California on June 21, 2008.

Brother McGee was born on July 18, 1961 in Vernon, Alabama. Brother McGee joined the Florence Chapter DeMolay in Florence, Alabama, in 1977.

DeMolay Career

Brother McGee is a PSMC of Alabama. He has been honored with the Degree of Chevalier, the Cross of Honor, Guild of the Leather Apron and the Legion of Honor. He has held membership or leadership positions on various International Committees including the Investment and Budget and Finance Committees. Brother McGee was Grand Master of DeMolay International in 1999-200 and currently serves as Executive Officer of Alabama.

Masonic Career/Fraternal Affiliations

Brother McGee joined Florence Lodge #14 F. & A. M. in September 1982, and is a Past Master. He has served the Grand Lodge of Alabama on the Youth Organizations Committee and the Finance Committee since 1995. He currently serves the Grand Lodge as the Chairman of the Finance Committee. Brother McGee is Past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of Fairhope Chapter #127. His other Masonic memberships include: P.H.P., Cyrus Chapter #6 R.A.M., P.I.M., Florence Council #74 R. & S.M., Florence Commandery #39, all of Florence, AL: Emrys W. Johns Sovereign York Rite College #179 of Birmingham, Alabama. In 1999 Brother McGee received the Order of the Purple Cross from the Sovereign Grand York Rite College. Brother McGee is also a member of Cahaba Shrine in Huntsville, Alabama and the Tri Cities Scottish Rite Bodies in Florence, Alabama. Brother McGee was invested a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1997 and coroneted an Inspectors General Honorary, 33° in 2001. In 1991 the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls made him a Master of the Grand Cross of Color.

Brother McGee has been married to Kathy since 1990. They have three children: Allen, Julia and Kyle. Brother McGee and his family currently reside in Fairhope, Alabama. Brother McGee says,

“I continue to work with DeMolay because I truly believe that I owe a lot to DeMolay for helping me become the person I am today. So by continuing to work with DeMolay I am giving back a little to help repay what I have gained from being associated with DeMolay. If we who have gained from DeMolay do not give back a little of our time and efforts then there may not be an Order of DeMolay to help train the generations of tomorrow and help to create the leaders of tomorrow which we need so badly.”

Joe A. Williams of Oklahoma was installed Grand Secretary at the 88th Annual Session in SAnaheim, California on June 21, 2008.

Brother Williams joined Guymon Chapter in Guymon, Oklahoma, in 1952, where he served as Master Councilor. He was awarded the Representative DeMolay (RD), Blue Honor Key, and Chevalier. He is a PSMC of Oklahoma. Williams was a Director of Conclave and a Director of Workshop for Oklahoma DeMolay. He holds a DeMolay Cross of Honor and Legion of Honor.

Williams was Executive Officer of Oklahoma from 1981-1993 and served as chairman of the Executive Officer's Conference. He was elected Grand Junior Councilor in 1992 and progressed through the elected line, serving as Grand Master from 1995-1996. He now serves as an advisor for Highland Park Chapter and is Secretary of the Oklahoma DeMolay Trust.