INAUGURAL MISSOURI AMD INGATHERING RIGHT VENERABLE BROTHER JOHN A. BRIDEGROOM GRAND SUPERINTENDENT OF , OF THE USA

GRAND PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR OF THE WORK GRAND COUNCIL CRYPTIC MASONS OF INDIANA

PROVINCIAL GRAND SECRETARY - MASONIC OF ATHELSTAN PROVINCIAL GRAND COURT OF THE UNITED SATES OF AMERICA

John was born on July 21, 1974 to Michael and Patricia Bridegroom in Gary, Indiana. He has an older brother, Adam.

He graduated from Portage High School in 1992, and received his Associ- ates Degree in Commercial Arts and Illustration from the American Academy of Art in Chicago Illinois. In 1996, he married Tammy C. Griffey. They are very proud of their two girls, Diva and Phoenix. During his career, John has worked for Frankel & Co. Advertising in Chicago, as Assistant Art Director for FASA Corporation, and several other companies before creating his own Design Company, VM Graphics, which he currently owns/operates.

John received his Masonic degrees in Porter Lodge #137, Valparaiso, IN during 2003-04, served as Worshipful Master in 2008, Secretary on 2013 and is currently serving as Secretary and Trustee. He joined the bodies in 2005 and in Hammond York Rite currently serves as High Priest in #117, of Commandery #41 and is a Past Illustrious Master of Council #90. He is served as Director of Work of the Hammond York Rite 2009-2015. He served the Grand Commandery of Indiana as a Deputy Battalion Commander 2014-16 and serves the Grand En- campment of the USA on the Bicentennial Committee. He served at the state level with the Grand Council as Arch Officer for Arch 1 from 2009-2012 and is currenty the Grand Principle Conductor of the Work of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons for the State of Indiana. From 2014-2016 he also served the of Indiana as the Public Relations and Marketing Director, and currently on several committees, including Chairman of the Indiana Freemason Publication, Co-Chairman of Technology, Leadership, Child Identification, Masonic Education, Founders Day and the 200th Anniversary Committee. At the National level, He currently serves as the Grand Superintendent of Indiana for the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees, and in 2016 will begin serving as the Pro- vincial Grand Secretary for the Provincial Grand Court ofthe Masonic Order of Athelstan in England, Wales and Provinces Overseas.

John is a member of the following Masonic Affiliated organizations:

• Porter Lodge 137, Past Master 2008, Secretary 2013 • Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research – Past Master 2015-16 • Hammond York Rite Bodies: Past High Priest (2012), Past Illustrious Master(2010), Past Commander (2012) • York Cross of Honor, J. Herbert Nichols 76- 2013 • Orak Shrine A.A.O.N.M.S., Past Potentate - 2012 - April 2014 The , Teocalli 500 - 2010 • St. Basil Conclave , Prelate 11/2011 JOHN HAS RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING HONORS: • Northwest Indiana York Rite College No. 73, Past Governor 2013-14 • The Order of the Purple Cross, York Rite Sovereign College - 2014 of Gold – 11/6/10, OPC 2014 • Knight Commander of the Temple, Grand Encampment – 2012 • Thespian Council #464 Allied Masonic Degrees, Past Sover- • Knight Commander of Zerrubabel - Grand Council of Knight eign Master, Member Masons - 2012 Knight - Red Branch of Eri - 2015 • Knight York Cross of Honor, J. Herbert Nichols Priory 76- 2013 • Imhotep Council No. 434 Allied Masonic Degrees, Dual mem- • Demolay Legion of Honor - Nov. 2014 ber • General Grand Chapter Ritualist Award - 2012 • St. Johns Council No. 541 - Honorary Member, Valparaiso • Distinguished Companion Award – Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Council No. 470 - Honorary Member Indiana 2012 • Templar Priests, Geneserate Taber- • Cryptic Mason of the Year – 2011 nacle - 2014 - Inner Guard • Grand Council Leadership Award – 2011 • Ancient Accepted , South Bend Valley • Grand Masters Award with High Distinction - 2008 • Scottish Rectified Rite – August 2012 (Disbanded) • Grand Commandery Distinguished Service Award - 2010 Willermoz Lodge No. 1 • Appointed Honorary Representative - New York, Livingston Lodge of St. Andrew District. 2010 • The August Order of Light - Garuda Temple No. 1, Halifax - • Certificate of Appreciation of Service – Grand York Rite Bodies 2013 of Missouri – 2009 Garuda Temple No. 5, Allentown PA • Companion of the Order of the Fluer de Lys, Johnston Company - • in Civitatibus Foederatis VII°- Indiana 2013 College 2014 - 1st Ancient • Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash - 2016 • Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia 2°-Woodman College No. 6 • Member of the Tennessee 2014 • Member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels • Knight Masons Indiana Council No. 15, KCZ - 2012 Knight Masons F’irinne Council No. 115 Charter Member - 2014 JOHN HAS RECEIVED THE ADDITIONAL DEGREES: - Excellent Chief • Masonic Order of Athelstan Regius Cordis Court No. 110, Past • Thrice Illustrious Master Degree Master 2016 - Provincial Grand Secretary • Annointed High Priest Degree • Royal Order of • Past Commanders Association • St. Thomas of Acon: INRI Chapter - 2013 • Scottish Master of St. Andrew – Scottish Rectified Rite • Indiana Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters • Perfect Master of St. Andrew – Scottish Rectified Rite • Indiana Annointed High Priest • Allied Masonic Degrees, Lafayette 2007 • Indiana Past Commanders Association • Royal Order of Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord – 4th Grade • Yeomen of York Preceptory No.1 • Super Excellent Master Degree • Royal Order of Amaranth • Ye Antiente Order of Corks, Washington, DC 2009 • The Masonic Society, Founding Member & - 2009 • Masonic Order of the Bath, Washington, DC 2009 • The of the USA • Royal Order of Zanzibar, 2008 • Levant Preceptory • Ancient and Heroic Order of the Gordian Knot, Indiana Synod • Quatuor Coronati (Correspondence Circle) No. 1, 2007 • Collegium Alchemicum Council of Research No.0 • Ancient and Heroic Order of the Gordian Knot, Alexandria Synod • – Adoniram Forest #49 – Charter No. 2 – Charter Member Member • The Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill, 2008 • Sahara Grotto - 2013 • Beneficent Order of Crabs, Claw 9 - 2010 • Knights of St Andrew – Valley of South Bend – Charter Member