Hon. Michael T. Luhr, Grand Exalted Ruler

“Working Together to Make a Difference”

Michael T. Luhr was born in Petersburg, Alaska, on August 22 to Donald H. Luhr and Beulah E. (Reid) Luhr. Michael has one brother, Robert, and two sisters, Donna and Joyce. He attended elementary and high school in Petersburg, graduating in 1974. Michael started his working career at the age of 9. He served as a janitor at a Ben Franklin store for two years, shelved boxes at a grocery store for two years, and worked at a fish cannery for another year. Through a school work program at the age of 15, Michael worked at a machine shop during the summers until graduation. Upon graduating from high school, Mike worked with a logging company, a mining company, and a road construction company. In 1980, he purchased the floating machine shop where he worked as a teenager, becoming the fourth owner of the business.
In June of 1984, Michael met his wife Barbara (Barb) at the local daycare facility where their respective children were enrolled. Mike and Barb had their first child, Bradee, in 1989, and were married on January 8, 1991. Together they have four children, Sabrina, Francis IV (John), Justin, and Bradee, and five grandchildren. Also in 1984, Barb joined Michael to operate the machine shop. They worked together as sole proprietors until 2011, when a group of fishermen approached them with an offer they could not refuse. With the support of 25 local fishermen, Mike and Barb bought the shipyard in Petersburg which had closed the previous year. Today, the business employs 17 people and provides a full-service ship store with vessel haulout, engine service, and machine shop facilities.
Michael was proposed and initiated into Petersburg Lodge No. 1615 in November 1977 by his father, Exalted Ruler Donald, along with ten of his lifelong school friends. He served as a Trustee from 1990 to 1998 and was appointed as Esquire in 1998. He continued through the Chairs and was named Exalted Ruler in 2001–2002 and 2002–2003. He was elected to the Trustees again, serving from 2003 to 2008. He has served as the Lodge Treasurer since 2008. Michael began his service at the State level in 2004 when he was elected as Trustee. He was elected and served as President of the Alaska State Elks Association in 2009-2010 and continues to serve as Chair of the ASEA’s Charitable Trust Fund, Advisory Committee Chair, and on the Lodge Development Board. At the Grand Lodge level, Michael was appointed District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler of Alaska’s East District in 2005-2006, 20072008, and 2008-2009. He was appointed to the G/L-Lodge Activities/State Associations Committee from 2010-2012. He was appointed as Special Representative to the Alaska East District in 2011, serving through December 2017. In 2012, Michael was elected to represent Area 8 on the Board of Grand Trustees, serving as Building Applications–West Member in 20122013, as Secretary of the Board from 20132015, and Vice Chairman in 2015-2016. He was appointed as Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the State of Alaska from 2016 to the present. At the G/L Convention in Reno, Michael was elected and installed as Grand Esteemed Leading Knight and served in that capacity for the 2017-2018 fraternal year. On a personal level, Mike was very active in baseball growing up and is in the Little League Hall of Fame. He coached women’s softball and Little League for many years until the Elks became his passion. Children John and Bradee, as well as son-in-law Adam, are all Members of the Elks and were initiated by Michael.

Hon. John D.  Amen, Past Grand Exalted Ruler, State Sponsor

John D. Amen was born in Denver, Colorado; the third of three sons of Jake and Clara Amen. He was raised in Fort Collins, Colorado and attended public schools there. John was an excellent student and participated in school athletics throughout junior and senior high school. John attended Colorado State University, graduated with honors and was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree with a major field of study in General Business in 1970. During his time at CSU, John met and married the love of his life, Marcia. After undergraduate school John accepted employment in Fort Collins as a design engineer. Thereafter, John entered Law School at the University of Colorado, finishing high in his class in 1973. During his final year of Law School, John was recruited and accepted employment with Chevron Corporation. Following graduation, with a Juris Doctorate degree, John immediately sat for, and passed, the rigorous Colorado Bar exam. After Chevron, John served in various legal and management positions with independent oil and gas exploration and production companies. With Snyder Oil Corporation of Fort Worth, Texas, John served as Vice President of a growing New York Stock Exchange company. Snyder eventually merged into Devon Energy Corp. In 1988, John left the corporate world and joined the preeminent 17th Avenue law firm of Burns, Wall, Smith and Mueller, P.C. as Special Counsel. After a successful practice representing various oil and gas clients, John retired from the firm in 2004. Since that time John has limited his practice to a part time endeavor serving limited clients. John and Marcia have two children, John, Jr. and Jennifer, and are further blessed with four grandchildren, Hailey, Hannah, Hope and Hillary. All reside in Colorado. John and Marcia are very proud of their children’s accomplishments. While working in the natural resources field John acquired professional experience working with both legislators and government regulators; so it was natural that John became involved in government relations with the Elks early in his Elkdom career. Serving as Vice Chairman of the Colorado Elks Association from 1997 and later as State Chairman, John led an active team of Elks that served to represent the interests of the Elks at the state and national levels. John recognizes that all of the good works of Elkdom are carried out at the Lodge level and he has been active as a leader of Denver Lodge No. 17 in a variety of capacities. He has served Lodge 17, the “Mother Lodge of the Rockies,” in all of the Lodge chairs. John’s Lodge has honored his outstanding service by bestowing him the honors of “Elk of the Year” and Honorary Life Membership. In addition to his service to Elkdom, John has served many dedicated hours to support and lead the Colorado Elks Association State Major Project: Elks Laradon Hall. This large project serves over 500 developmentally disabled citizens of all ages. John served two full threeyear terms on Laradon’s Board of Directors, the last five as its Chair, and further served Laradon most recently as a director of its supporting foundation. In 2008, John was elected Third Vice President of the Colorado Elks Association and thereafter served with distinction in each of the three Vice President chairs and then as Colorado Elks State President in 2012. John is a Past District Deputy and served on the Grand Lodge Committee on Judiciary from 2006 through 2013 and chaired this hardworking committee his final two years. “The help we extend to others increases our own riches.” Since his appointment to the Committee on Judiciary, John has been helping the 265 Lodges in Grand Lodge Area 6 with their legal matters. From advising Lodge Officers on statutory procedures and requirements, to helping them with their by-laws and corporate documents, John established many friends and relationships throughout his eight states of responsibility and throughout our Order. John has become a recognized expert on the Law of Non-Profits and taxation of exempt entities. John passionately believes that the principles of Elkdom will guide us through periods of crisis and endorses the concept that maximum effort should be focused on reversing the downward trend in membership. Creative ideas are never scarce with John, particularly when his favorite subject — Elkdom — is the topic.

 

Hon. Larry Tomberlin, Board of Grand Trustee

Past State President, Larry Tomberlin was elected to a four year term on the Board of Grand Trustees at the Grand Lodge Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Larry also served on the Lodge Activities – State Associations Grand Lodge committee from 2008-2012.
Larry was initiated into the order in January of 1976 with Gallup Lodge 1440, where he immediately assumed the position of Chaplin. He progressed normally through the chairs and was elected Exalted Ruler for the fraternal year 1984-85. He served on the Board of Trustees from 1985 -90. During his tenure in Gallup he served on various Lodge Committees.
After his stint as Exalted Ruler, Larry served on various committees for the NMEA, which included New Lodges, Golf, Hoop Shoot, and Youth Activities, which he chaired in 1994. Larry was elected to the NMEA Board of Trustees in 1990, serving five years, three of which he chaired the Committee. Larry was elected Vice President of the NMEA in 1995, President Elect in 1996 and served as State President in 1997-98. Larry served on the State Convention Committee from 1998-2004. He chaired the committee for three years. Larry then chaired the NMEA Grand Lodge Committee from 1999-2003. Larry has chaired the NMEA Advisory & Nominating Committee on four different occasions. He was named NMEA Elk of the Year in 2002 by then President Everett Wheeler. Larry was appointed District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler by the Honorable Charles F. (Chuck) Williams for the fraternal year 1993-94. Larry also served as Esquire to DDGER John Spinelli in 1988-89. Larry has also served as Special Representative for PGER Chuck Williams from 2007-2009 as well as District Advisor North. Larry is a native New Mexican. He was born December 26, 1951 and raised in Albuquerque. After graduation from Manzano High School he attended UNM before joining the United States Navy in 1971. He was home ported in Norfolk, VA aboard the USS Shenandoah AD-26 and was honorably discharged in 1975 holding the rank of 2nd Class Boatswains (Bos’n) Mate. Larry returned home and began a career in law enforcement. After graduating from the New Mexico State Police Academy, Larry was commissioned a New Mexico State Police Officer on October 1, 1975 and stationed in Gallup as a Patrolman, in the Uniformed Bureau. In 1979 he transferred to the Narcotics Bureau, working various undercover assignments throughout New Mexico while maintaining his residence in Gallup. Larry resigned his commission on November 10, 1981 to take a position with the AT&SF Railway as a Special Agent in Gallup. He was commissioned a Railroad Police Officer on November 12, 1981 pursuant to NMSA 63-2-18 by then Governor Bruce King. Larry remained in Gallup until he was transferred to Belen in 1990. Larry is a graduate of the 161st class of the Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. Larry was promoted to Lieutenant in 1993, Captain in 1995 and Deputy Chief of Police in 2002. Larry oversaw the BNSF Railway Police Operations in New Mexico and Arizona until his retirement in 2012. Larry holds an Executive Level Law Enforcement Certification, issued by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. Larry and his wife Ellen married in 1984, have three grown children and four grandchildren. Larry and Ellen reside in Los Lunas, NM

Bob Guillen, Area 6 Government Relations Chairman

Robert A. Guillen was born in Los Angeles, California on June 13, 1950. The family moved to Santa Fe when he was 6 months old. He attended Santa Fe High School and graduated in 1968. After a short stint in the Marine Corps, he joined the Santa Fe Police Department, went up the ranks, and retired in 1991 as a Captain. He is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, session #159. He joined the Elks in Santa Fe in 1972, and during his years in Elkdom assisted the Lodge wherever he could. He was Elk Of The Year for his Lodge in 1981 – 1982 Lodge year. He started going up the chairs in 1983 and became Exalted Ruler in 1986. He was then a 5 year Trustee at his Lodge. He was Secretary of his home Lodge for 12 years retiring in 2013. He became District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 1992. In the NMEA, he filled in a vacant 1 year Trustee position, and then was elected to a 5 year position, where he was the Chairman for a year and a half. He was elected NMEA Vice-President in 2005, President Elect in 2006 and State President for the year 2007/2008. He is active in the NMEA Government Relations Committee and serves as the Chairman. He was appointed to the Grand Lodge Committee on Government Relations for Area 6 for the Elk year 2011-2012, reappointed for 2012-2013, and just re-appointed for 2013-2014. He also is a past Chairman of the Exalted Ruler/Secretary Seminar, and Co-Chairman for a few years. He is on the NMEA Financial Investment Committee, and serves as advisor to a few Lodges in the State. He also chaired the G.L. Housing Committee for NMEA for 4 years. He is married to Fabiola since 1969, and they have two children; Yvette and Robert Jr. They have 6 grandchildren, Tomas, Uriah, Rafael Abraham, Benjamin and Joseph. His son is also a member of Santa Fe Lodge #460 and is a JAG Corp Major, presently serving with the United States Army in Afghanistan. He was the owner of Salsa Investigation, operating as a Private Investigator for 12 years, and now enjoys fishing and RVing more than working.

Rick Callaway, Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler

Rick Callaway was born in the San Diego Naval Hospital in San Diego, California, on August 9th, 1955 to Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Bill Callaway and his wife Doris. Rick was one of four children, two brother and one sister. He grew up in San Diego and graduated from Mount Miguel High School in 1973. He worked in the family automotive business after school and learned to be a master mechanic berfore moving the business to Roswell in Febuary of 1974 and opening an automotive repair business near the old Walker Air Force Base where he holds the title of shop foreman.
He was and is an avid dirt bike and ATV enthusiast with a love of the outdoors. Rick also loved the sport of drag racing where he met his wfie Tracy of 32 years. Together they were sponsored by Anheuser Busch and raced in New Mexico and the surrounding states for over 30 years winning numerous titles. Rick also managed the El Paso, Texas race facility for nine year and owned and operated the facilities in Roswell for 20 years. Rick is also an avid sportsman and hunter; he is a member of the NRA and a Life Member of the Rocky Mountain Elks Foundation. Rick and Tracy have two children, Lindsey and Jessie. Jessie is an RN at Covenant Children’s Hopsital of Lubbock, Texas where her sister Lindsey underwent treatment for brain and spinal cancer. Rick, Tracy and Jessie started the Lindsey Callaway Memorial Toy Drive in 2001 after the loss of Lindsey. With the help of the BPOE they have helped thousands of children during their stay in the hospital. Rick was initiated into the Roswell Lodge in 1994 and became the Lodge Chaplain in 1996 where he earned the Officer of the Year Award. In the following years he held the Lodge titles of Esteemed Loyal Knight, Esteemed Leading Knight, Exalted Ruler and Lodge Trustee. In 2002 as Exalted Ruler, Rick was instrumental in the sale of the old Roswell Elks Lodge and in 2003 broke ground on the facility they have today. Loving the Ritual Competition Rick won All State honors in every position that he competed in. In 2003 he led the Roswell Ritual Team to their first ever State AA Team Championship and then to a 2nd place finish in the National Championship Competiton in St. Louis. Rick received the hnor of being NMEA top Recruiter in 2002-2003 receiving numerous GER membership watches and was also awarded the NMEA Elk of the Year by President Don Holland in 2003-2004, an honor he will always cherish! In his quest to help his State Association he was asked to be State Tiler by President Sam Serna followed up by being appointed NMEA C & B Trust Committee Chairman which he held for four years. Rick was chosen to be District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 2005 by PGER Chuck Williams. After his year of District Deputy has was appointed State Ritual Committee Chairman by then President Rob Golden and elected into the position of NMEA Trustee where he served until becoming Vice President in 2008. After his year as President Elect he became the NMEA State President in 2010-2011 where he stood by his motto of “No Stone Unturned” which he still believes in today. As President Rick was chosen to be Voting Committee Captain during the 2011 Grand Lodge Convention in Orlando, Florida. Since his year as President Rick has served the Association as Grand Lodge Housing Committee Chairman, Advisory Committee Chairman, Officer Training Committee Chairman and on the State Convention Committee for three years. He has been a Ritual Judge for eight years and has judged out of state contests. On April 17th, 2014, after the recommendations of PGER Charles F. Williams, Grand Exalted Ruler MIllard C. Pickering, with Executive Order No. 13-196 appointed Rick to the position of Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, a position he holds the highest respect for!