IOOF

Emil joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) in May 2004 in Elkins, West Virginia. He progressed through the chairs/stations in the lodge and became a Past Grand in June 2006. He also held the office of Secretary for many years.

He started joining other branches of the Order and joined the Rebekah, Encampment, and Patriarchs Militant branches. He is a Past Grand of the Rebekah Lodge; Past Chief Patriarch; and Past Captain.

He joined the Grand Lodge of West Virginia in October 2006. Within the Grand Lodge, he was elected Grand Warden in 2009; Deputy Grand Master in 2010 and served as Acting Grand Master during the session in 2010; and elected as Grand Master for 2011-2012 and presided over the Grand Lodge in Flatwoods in October 2012.

Emil also served as the Department Commander Department Council of West Virginia from 2010 to 2012, and earned the rank of Colonel Retired. He was found to be the youngest Department Commander in North America.

During the General Military Council sessions held in Schaumburg, Illinois, in August 2013, Emil was elected as Executive Officer with the rank of Major General. During the GMC sessions in August 2014 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Emil was elevated to Deputy General Commanding with the rank of Lieutenant General. During the GMC sessions in Fort Worth, Texas, in August 2015, Emil was installed as General Commanding of the World with the rank of General. To date, Emil is the youngest General Commanding of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Emil’s visitation trips led him to visit international countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Turkey, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, and the Philippines.

During his visit to the Department Council of Denmark, Emil was awarded the Order of Chivalry during a ceremony at the Odd Fellows Palace in Copenhagen.

Emil presided over the General Military Council in Rapids City, South Dakota, in August 2016, and became a General Commanding-Retired. During the week-long business sessions, Emil was awarded the Grand Decoration of Chivalry for his contributions to Odd Fellowship as a local, state, and international officer.

During his tenure as General Commanding, along with his counterpart in the Sovereign Grand Lodge, Sovereign Grand Master Danny Wood, they traveled to establish the Grand Lodge of the Philippines – a first for a Sovereign Grand Master and General Commanding to travel internationally together to expand Odd Fellowship in another country.