The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

F. Louis Sulsberger was born in Flora, Illinois, and continues to give back to his hometown through the Elks. In 1973, Sulsberger became active in Flora, Ill., Lodge No. 1659. After progressing through the chairs and serving as Exalted Ruler in 1986-87, Sulsberger was elected to the Board of Trustees, where he served as Chairman in 1988-89. As Ritual Coach, he also led his Lodge to five state championships.

During this time, Sulsberger also served on various state committees, as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, on the Board of Directors for the Illinois’ state major project, and as president of the Illinois Elks Association.

In 2003, after three years of serving on the Grand Lodge Ritualistic Committee, he was elected to the Board of Grand Trustees, where he eventually served as Chairman. In 2007, he became Grand Exalted Ruler, and in 2014, he joined the ENF Board of Trustees.

In addition to his service to the Elks, Sulsberger boasts an impressive career. After graduating from Olney Central College, Sulsberger became an independent petroleum land man working in the Illinois Land Basin. In 1983, he formed his own oil company, Lou-Lin-Co., Inc., where he currently serves as president. Decreased activity in the oil production business brought Sulsberger to utility-right-of-way work throughout the Midwest. In 2002, after years of traveling, Sulsberger settled back into the community where he was raised, accepting the position of sales manager for a local General Motors dealership.

Despite his busy career and service to the Order, Sulsberger is also involved in the Sons of the American Legion, the Flora Jaycees, the Olney Petroleum Club, and St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. [Spouse: Beth.]

Sponsor States: Illinois, Wisconsin

Louis J. Grillo was born and raised in Stockton, Calif. When visiting home from college, he joined the Stockton, Calif., Lodge in March 1974, where his father served as State Vice-President of the Central District of the California-Hawaii Elks Association. An active member, Grillo became Lodge Exalted Ruler in 1987. He has since served on various district and state committees, and held numerous chairs. In 2005, he was elected Grand Exalted Ruler. Grillo joined the ENF Board of Trustees in July 2011.

Grillo graduated from California State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. He played baseball throughout college, reaching the semipro level. After an injury prevented him from pursuing a career as a professional baseball player, he launched a successful 27-year career as a sales representative.

In addition to his Elks duties, Grillo is a third-generation member of the Bersaglieri Society, one of the oldest Italian organizations in the United States. The Society originated with a group of guards who protected the Italian royal family.

He has also been a member of the Stockton Emblem Club since 2004. He currently lives with his wife on a ranch established by her father in the early 1920s in Linden, Calif. At the ranch, they oversee the operations of the walnut and cherry orchards. [Spouse: Lucia.]

Sponsor States: Arizona, California-Hawaii, Nevada, Guam and the Philippines

James M. McQuillan was born in Greeley, Nebraska. After graduating from Creighton Unversity, he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Kennedy, and then enrolled in Creighton's School of Law 10 days later. On earning his law degree, McQuillan moved with his growing family to Ogallala, where he would practice law for 47 years.

McQuillan joined Ogallala, Neb., Lodge in 1966, where he served on and chaired a number of committees. He was Exalted Ruler in 1977. At the state level, McQuillan served on the Laws Committee for 12 years. He was Nebraska's State President in 1988-89.

McQuillan served the Grand Lodge as a member of the Judiciary Committee for eight years, including two as Chairman, and as a Justice of the Grand Forum for five years. He was the Chief Justice in 2002-03. McQuillan served as Grand Exalted Ruler in 2004-05. He joined the ENF Board of Trustees in February 2017.

In addition to the Elks, McQuillan has been active in his Church and in numerous community and professional organizations. He coached youth sports for many years and served on the Ogallala Airport Authority and the Board of Education.

Sponsor States: Kansas and Nebraska

Michael F. Smith was born and raised in Plant City, Florida. He was the captain and MVP of his high school basketball team, which won the state championship during his senior year. He received a full basketball scholarship to St. Leo College in Florida.

After college, Mike married his high school sweetheart, Sandra, and they started a family. Mike joined Plant City Lodge, his father’s lodge, in January 1979, and took to Elkdom as if he were driving to the hoop.

He served the Lodge in a variety of positions, including two terms as Exalted Ruler, and started an annual Christmas in the Park tradition that continues to this day.

Mike served the Grand Lodge as a District Deputy in 1998-99, as a member of the Lodge Activities Committee, as the Grand Esteemed Lecturing Knight in 2005-06, and as a member of the Board of Grand Trustees, including as Chairman, from 2006 to 2010. Mike served as Grand Exalted Ruler in 2010-11. He joined the ENF Board in July 2018 and is also a member of the Hoop Shoot Sub-Committee.

Mike made his living in the insurance business, primarily in the health care field. In addition to the Elks, he enjoys playing golf and boating. [Spouse: Sandra.]

Sponsor States: Florida, Mississippi and Panama

Frank O. Garland was born in Colfax, Wash., and worked for the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards until August, 1942, when he entered the United States Navy. Garland served in the Navy as an instructor until December 1945. His career in Elkdom began upon his return from the Navy, with his initiation in the Centralia, Wash., Lodge. Garland was a Trustee of the Washington State Elks Association and a member of the Board of Directors for the Major Project. He was elected President of the Association and appointed District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. He served on the Grand Lodge State Associations Committee, Board of Grand Trustees, and was the Grand Esteemed Leading Knight. He was elected Grand Exalted Ruler in 1984. Garland joined the ENF Board of Trustees in 2003, and served two years as Chairman of the Board.

Garland worked for the Eubanks Glass Company, eventually acquiring half-interest, and retiring in 1983­. Garland worked diligently on behalf of his community, as a member of the Centralia City Planning Commission, the Centralia Chamber of Commerce, and President of the United Way Campaign. He has received an Outstanding Citizenship Award from the Centralia Rotary Club, and served on the Board of Directors of both the Centralia Industrial Commission and the West Coast Savings and Loan.

Sponsor States: None

James W. Damon was born in Pasadena, Calif., later moving to Mt. Vernon, Ore. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1947, serving with the Air Training Command and the 20th Air Force Heavy Bomb Group, before being honorably discharged in 1950. He joined the John Day, Ore., Elks Lodge as a Charter Member in 1950. Damon was President of the Oregon State Elks Association, served on its major project committee, helped form the Oregon Federated Organization of the O.S.E.A. and was selected to the O.S.E.A. Hall of Fame in 1983. Damon was a District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, member of the Board of Grand Trustees, and a Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, before being elected Grand Exalted Ruler in 1990. He joined the ENF Board of Trustees in 2005, and is Advisor to the Government Relations Committee.

Damon was manager of the local telephone company, and earned recognition as the President and CEO of Oregon Telephone Corporation. He served on the Board of Directors of the United States Telephone Association, and was honored in his field by being presented with the Outstanding Service Recognition Award in 1978. He has been active in civic affairs having served on the Mt. Vernon City Council, District School Board and Chairman of the Blue Mountain Hospital District. [Spouse: D.J.]

Sponsor States: Idaho, Oregon

Charles F. Williams was born in Wylie, Texas, and joined the Plano, Texas Lodge in 1972. He was elected Exalted Ruler in 1977, and then moved on to serve in various leadership positions of district and state committees. From 1983-84, Williams served as Texas Elks State Association President following which his Lodge bestowed Honorary Life Membership. He served on the Grand Lodge state Associations, Lodge Membership and Lodge Activities Committees and Board of Grand Trustees before being elected Grand Exalted Ruler in 1993-94. He joined the ENF Board of Trustees in 2009.

Williams graduated from Texas A&M in 1956 with a degree in Engineering. He began his career with General Electric until he was called to military duty in late 1956. He was honorably discharged as a Captain of the U.S. Army in 1958. Upon returning to Plano, Williams took a job with Collins Radio Company. He was assigned to the NASA Apollo Tracking Station, travelled to more than 20 foreign countries working in remote areas, and experiencing many languages and customs. Since his retirement, Williams devotes his time to his family, Church and the Elks. [Spouse: Gladys.]

Sponsor States: Arkansas, Texas