| GRAND MASTER | M.W. George F. Hamilton | Alpha Lodge, Framingham |
| DEPUTY GRAND MASTER | R.W. Matthew A. Niedermeier | Caleb Butler Lodge, Ayer |
| DISTRICT GRAND MASTER (PANAMA) |
R.W. Eduardo Crocamo | Eloy Alfaro Lodge, Albrook, Panama |
| SENIOR GRAND WARDEN | R.W. William E. Yanakakis | John T. Heard Lodge, Ipswich |
| JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN | R.W. Christopher A. Tonini | Wisdom Lodge, West Stockbridge |
| GRAND TREASURER | R.W. Mason W. Russell | Budleigh Lodge, Beverly |
| ASSISTANT GRAND TREASURER | R.W. Paul R. Perkins | Wyoming Lodge, Melrose |
| GRAND SECRETARY | M.W. Richard Maggio | William Parkman Lodge, Woburn |
| ASSISTANT GRAND SECRETARY | M.W. Richard J. Stewart | Boylston Lodge, West Boylston |
| GRAND SECRETARY Emeritus |
M.W. Albert T. Ames | Meridian Lodge, Natick |
M.W. George F. Hamilton
On December 27th, 2022, George Forest Hamilton was installed as the 91st Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. He will preside over more than 200 lodges and 20,000 members throughout the Commonwealth, Panama, Chile, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, and Tokyo, Japan for the next three years.
The Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts was chartered in 1733, following the establishment of the Grand Lodges of England in 1717 and Ireland in 1725. Massachusetts is the third oldest Grand Lodge in the world and the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. Due to this precedent, the Grand Master of Massachusetts is referred to as the third “ranking” Mason in the world. 2023 marks the 290th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. A Grand Lodge is the governing body of Freemasonry in its jurisdiction.
As Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Hamilton has two distinct, yet equally important, responsibilities. First, he serves as the fraternal leader of the institution. In this capacity he ensures the activities that take place within the jurisdiction comply with the Constitutions and Regulations of the Grand Lodge as adopted in 1792 and amended through 2022. He also has numerous ceremonial privileges reserved for his position. The office of Grand Master is a volunteer position; the Grand Master is elected and installed on an annual basis.
His second responsibility is leading the business of Grand Lodge, including:
- Chairman, Grand Lodge Board of Directors.
- President, Masonic Education & Charity Trust (M.E. & C.T.). The M.E. &C.T. is a 501©3 overseeing the charitable activities of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
- Chairman, Grand Lodge Library and Museum Board of Directors; a 501©3 responsible for the Samuel Crocker Lawrence Library and the Grand Lodge Museum collection, both of which are open to the public.
- Member of the Masonic Health System (MHS) Board of Directors. With corporate headquarters in Charlton, MHS includes The Overlook Life Care Community, featuring independent, enhanced, post-acute and skilled nursing; as well as the Overlook Visiting Nurses Association providing services to more than 180 communities throughout the state.
Brother Hamilton was raised in Northborough and graduated from Algonquin Regional High School. He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Lowell. Following college, he began working for GTE Corporation (now General Dynamics) in Needham. He retired from General Dynamics as Senior Director of Engineering after more than 30 years with the company.
In 1984 he started his Masonic career by joining Alpha Lodge in Framingham. He served as the Worshipful Master, or presiding officer of the lodge, in 1988 and 1989. Masons use the original definition of the word worshipful, meaning “honorable”. Even today, English mayors and judges are addressed by the title of “Worshipful”. As Grand Master, members of the fraternity call him “Most Worshipful”.
He is a member of several other Masonic lodges, including: The Scouters Lodge, Holden; Siloam Lodge, Westborough; and The Master’s Lodge, Needham; he is a charter member of The Lodge of the Royal Secret, Boston.
His service to Grand Lodge began in 2007 when he was appointed Grand Standard Bearer. In 2018, he was selected to serve on the Grand Lodge Board of Directors – a position he held until he was installed Grand Master. In 2020, he was elected Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge, the second highest elected position a Mason can hold in the state. For his service to Massachusetts Freemasonry and Grand Lodge, M.W. Richard Maggio, Grand Master, awarded him the Henry Price Medal, the highest recognition that can be conferred in the jurisdiction.
Active in several Masonic organizations, Brother Hamilton belongs to the Valley of Boston for the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Within Scottish Rite Freemasonry, he was an active member of Giles F. Yates Chapter of Rose Croix and served as their Most Wise Master between 2014 and 2017. For his service to Scottish Rite Freemasonry, he was made a 33° in 2017 at the Annual Session of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, held in Rochester, NY.
He is a member of the York Rite’s Concord Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Adoniram Council of Royal and Select Master Masons, and Saint Bernard Commandery No. 12, Knights Templar. He also belongs to Aleppo Shriners, Wilmington and Stella Chapter #3, Auburn, Order of the Eastern Star.
Brother Hamilton married his childhood sweetheart, Theresa Marie Warren. They made their home in Framingham where they had two sons: Benjamin Warren Hamilton (Brighton, MA), and Thomas Forest Hamilton (Manchester, NH). In 1995 the family moved back to George and Theresa’s hometown of Northborough where they raised their sons. They currently reside in Westborough. He has been involved with Boy Scout Troop 101, Northborough, since childhood. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout and is now an Assistant Scoutmaster. He is a member of the United Methodist Church of Westborough and the National Society Sons of the American Revolution.
R.W. Matthew A. Niedermeier
Matthew Adam Niedermeier was installed Deputy Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts for 2024. The Deputy Grand Master is the second highest ranking officer of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
M.W. George F. Hamilton, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts and the presiding officer in the state, handpicked Brother Niedermeier for the position. He will assist the Grand Master and lead Grand Lodge during his absence for the next year. He is also the Grand Master ex officio should the Grand Master not be able to complete his term.
The Deputy Grand Master began his Masonic career in June 2010 when he joined Caleb Butler Lodge, Ayer. In October of that year he affiliated with The Scouters Lodge in Holden; the Scouters Lodge is an affinity Lodge with membership limited to those that have attained the rank of Eagle Scout, or to an individual who has been presented the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award. He concurrently held several junior officer positions in both Lodges, eventually serving as the Worshipful Master, or presiding officer, of Caleb Butler Lodge in 2016, and The Scouters Lodge in 2017 and 2018. Freemasons use the original definition of “Worshipful,” meaning honorable; British mayors and judges are still addressed as Worshipful. As Deputy Grand Master, Niedermeier will be called “Right Worshipful”.
In 2019 Brother Niedermeier held his first Grand Lodge office, as one of two Grand Pursuivants. A Grand Pursuivant assists the Grand Marshal in processions and other ceremonies. In 2021 and 2022 he was District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty-fifth Masonic District, comprised of the following Lodges: Mount Zion Lodge, Barre (chartered in 1800), Quaboag Lodge, Warren (1858), Eden Lodge, Ware (1863), Hayden Lodge, North Brookfield (1863), Rufus Putnam Lodge, Rutland (1912), Bay Path Lodge, West Brookfield (1923), and The Scouters Lodge (2010). There are 36 districts in the jurisdiction, each led by a District Deputy Grand Master, who is the personal representative of the Grand Master to the lodges in his district. This past year, Brother Niedermeier served as Grand Sword Bearer; the Grand Sword Bearer assists the Grand Marshal and stands in for him if he is absent.
In 2019, Brother Niedermeier received the Joseph Warren Medal for Distinguished Service. Named for the Patriot killed during the Battle of Bunker Hill, Warren was the presiding Grand Master at the time of his death. The medal recognizes exceptional service at the lodge level. The Grand Master confers the award on the recommendation of the lodge Master.
Active in several Masonic organizations, the Deputy Grand Master is a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Valley of Boston. He has been Captain of the Consistory Guard since 2019. He belongs to the York Rite’s Saint Paul’s Royal Arch Chapter, Boston, Boston Council of Royal and Select Master Masons, and Boston Commandery #2 of Knights Templar. He is an Aleppo Shriner, Wilmington, and a Charter Member of Omar Grotto, Danvers.
A native of Janesville, WI, Niedermeier is a Supervisory Intelligence Analyst with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He graduated from George S. Parker High School, Janesville and Excelsior University, Albany, NY. In 1990, Niedermeier began serving in the U.S. Army; he is now a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and holds the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five.
Matt lives in Shirley with his wife, Elaine and their three daughters: Madison, Courtney, and Autumn. In addition to his Masonic activities, he is a member of Trinity Chapel, Shirley, and American Legion Post #183, Shirley.
R.W. Eduardo Crocamo
Eduardo Crocamo is the 29th Panama Canal District Grand Master having been selected by M.W. George F. Hamilton for the position. In his role, he represents the Grand Master in the Republic of Panama and the Republic of Chile on all Masonic matters. He was installed on December 27, 2022 and will serve three, one-year terms.
Brother Crocamo joined Freemasonry as a member of Eloy Alfaro Lodge, Albrook, Panama in 2007. He served as their Worshipful Master in 2011 and 2012. He also affiliated with Sojourners Lodge, Vista Hermosa, Panama in 2008. He was their Master in 2013 and 2014; he was Secretary from 2015 through 2021.
The District Grand Master oversees Ancon Lodge, Eloy Alfaro Lodge, Gatun Lodge, and Sojourners Lodge in Panama.
In 2013, M.W. Richard J. Stewart, Grand Master, presented Brother Crocamo with the Joseph Warren Distinguished Service Medal.
He is a member of Abou Saad Shriners, Panama Canal Orient, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Masonic Jurisdiction, and Royal Order of Quetzalcoatl.
R.W. William E. Yanakakis
William Ernest Yanakakis of Ipswich was installed Senior Grand Warden for 2024. Senior Grand Warden is the second highest elected officer of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
As Senior Grand Warden, Brother Yanakakis will assist M.W. George F. Hamilton, Grand Master and the presiding officer for the jurisdiction, for the coming year. He also serves as Grand Master Pro Tempore in the absence of the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master.
Brother Yanakakis began his Masonic career when he was initiated in John T. Heard Lodge, Ipswich, on September 3, 2003. He served as their Worshipful Master in 2010. He was also the Master of Budleigh Lodge, Beverly, in 2014 and 2016. Brother Yanakakis was installed as John T. Heard Lodge’s Secretary in 2011 and continues to hold the position today. He is also an honorary member of William Sutton Lodge, Saugus, Converse Lodge, Wakefield, and a member of The Masters Lodge, Needham, and Winslow Lewis Lodge, Boston.
In 2012 and 2013, Yanakakis was the District Deputy Grand Master of the 10th Masonic District, comprised of the following Lodges: Tyrian-Ashler-Acacia Lodge, Gloucester (chartered in 1770); Liberty Lodge and Budleigh Lodge, Beverly, chartered in 1824 and 1920, respectively; John T. Heard Lodge (1864); and, Machester Lodge, Manchester-by-the-Sea (1920).
In 2011, Brother Yanakakis was presented the Joseph Warren Medal for Distinguished Service.
Brother Yanakakis was elected to the Grand Lodge Board of Directors in 2014 to fill the final year of a vacated three-year term. He subsequently served as Director for consecutive three-years terms between 2017 and 2019 and 2020 and 2022. He has been a member of the Grand Lodge Membership Committee since 2008, holding the position of Chairman between 2014 and 2022. From 2012 to 2018 he was a member of the Receiviership Committee.
A member of several Masonic organizations, Brother Yanakakis joined the Valley of Salem, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in March of 2011. In April 2011 he received his 32° in Massachusetts Consistory of the Valley of Boston; he is their Second Lieutenant Commander. In August 2023 he was made a 33° at the Annual Session of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, in Louisville, KY. As a York Rite Mason, he was Exalted in Sutton-Ferson Royal Arch Chapter, Ipswich, in 2004; Greeted in King Solomon Royal & Selected Master Masons, Newburyport, in 2013; and, Knighted in St. Bernard Commandery No. 12, Knights Templar, Boston, in 2015. He is a member of Aleppo Shriners, Wilmington.
Yanakakis grew up in Boxford and graduated from Masconomet Regional High School, Bentley College, and the University of Massachusetts School of Agriculture in Stockbridge. He married his wife Paula in 1992, 10 years after they graduated high school together. They live in Ipswich and have three grown sons: Christopher, Benjamin, and Alexander. He has been in the golf Industry for 40 years currently serving as Golf Course Superintendent at the Rockport Golf Club.
R.W. Christopher A. Tonini
Christopher Anthony Tonini was installed Junior Grand Warden for 2023. Junior Grand Warden is the third highest elected officer of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
As Junior Grand Warden, Brother Tonini will assist M.W. George F. Hamilton for the coming year. He also serves as Grand Master Pro Tempore in the absence of the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Senior Grand Warden.
Brother Tonini was initiated in Wisdom Lodge, West Stockbridge, in 1995. He served as Master in 2001, 2010-2011, and 2016. He has been the Lodge’s Treasurer since 2020. He is also a member of Cincinnatus Lodge, Great Barrington; New Moon Lodge, Pittsfield; and Union Lodge, Norwood.
He served in his first Grand Lodge position in 2004 when Donald G. Hicks Jr, Grand Master, appointed him as Grand Steward. A Grand Steward is the Grand Master’s aide. Between 2017 and 2019, Tonini was District Deputy Grand Master of the 31st Masonic District, comprised of the following lodges: Cincinnatus Lodge, chartered in 1795 by Paul Revere during his term as Grand Master); Wisdom Lodge, West Stockbridge, chartered in 1803; Evening Star, Lee (1810); and, New Moon Lodge (1810). In 2020, he received the Joseph Warren Medal for Distinguished Service.
Tonini has belonged to the Grand Lodge Membership Committee since 2019. He served as Chairman of the Golden Gavel Committee in 2022, and is currently Chairing the Affinity Club subcommittee. Bro. Tonini is in the third year of a three-year term as Memorial Ambassador for the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, VA.
Active in several Masonic organizations, Tonini joined the Valley of Boston of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in 2019.
Tonini lives in West Stockbridge with his wife, Shayna “Rocky” Tonini.
