Grand Master William J. Thomas
Most Worshipful William J. Thomas, Grand Master Masons in the State of New York
Brother Thomas was previously Deputy Grand Master and Grand Treasurer. He is a Past Master of Shakespeare Lodge, and of the American Lodge of Research. Previously Brother Thomas was Trustee of the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library. Brother Thomas was District Deputy Grand Master of the Sixth Manhattan District under Most Worshipful Edward R. Trosin. He also serves on the Committee on Unity for the Grand Lodge, the Brotherhood Foundation and various other appointments.
Brother Thomas is a frequent lecturer on various topics of Masonic interest, including Traditional Observance, history, biography and ritual. He is a Life Member of the Philalethes Society, and founded its Knickerbocker Chapter in New York City. He is a member of Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research, New Hampshire’s Anniversary Lodge of Research, and is Past Master of the American Lodge of Research. Brother Thomas has hosted a number of research programs for the Masonic Library on a variety of topics, including the 2008 tour with the Library’s Processus Contra Templarios, acquired from the Secret Archives of the Vatican.
Brother Thomas is active in all the York Rite bodies. He is Viceroy for St. Paul’s Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, and a member of the York Rite College in Long Island. He is a member of the Valley of New York, Scottish Rite; Kismet Temple; and Azim Grotto. Brother Thomas also is active in National Sojouners.
Brother Thomas is also a retired Enforcement Branch Chief for the New York office of the US Securities and Exchange Commission. He is currently in private practice with his own company, SEC Intelligence LLC, in New York City. His work includes forensic accounting, accounting fraud, due diligence, anti-money laundering and corruption cases involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Brother Thomas was previously a Federal Special Agent with Navy Intelligence, and a peace keeper with the United Nations in Somalia.
Brother Thomas is a US Military veteran, and honorably served with the US Navy during the Viet Nam era. He is a member of the American Legion and the Military Order of the World Wars. The Honorary Order of Kentucky Colonels commissioned him a Colonel in 2000 for his philanthropic work and service.
He is a member of the International Association for Asset Recovery, and both the French American Lawyers Association, and the Swiss American Lawyers Association of Greater New York.
Bill lives in Manhattan with his loving wife, Susan, and where they serve as principal staff for Willie, a demanding feline of undetermined origin. They attend St. John the Evangelist Church on East 55th Street in Manhattan.
Email: GrandMaster [at] NYMasons [dot] Org