Leadership

Archon President

Don Herman

(Calgary 1985)

Brother Herman was elected Archon President by the 178th Ekklesia in 2026. He was previously elected Archon Treasurer by the 172nd Ekklesia, serving from 2020-24. Prior to his election, Don served on Phi Gamma Delta’s Foundation of Canada Board of Directors since 2009 and was its President from 2016-18. He has also served on the U.S. Educational Foundation Board of Directors from 2012-20, including as a member of its Investment Committee. Additionally, he has represented Phi Gamma Delta as Vice-President and Treasurer of THE Fraternity Captive since its inception in 2024. Professionally, Don is a Director & Portfolio Manager at Jarislowsky Fraser Limited, one of Canada’s leading investment firms. He is also involved in the Calgary community, having served as a board member of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Society and director of the University of Alberta’s Centre for Entrepreneurship & Family Enterprise. Additionally, he is a 35-year veteran basketball official at the high school and collegiate levels.

Archon Vice President

Michael Bass

(Louisiana State 1983)

Brother Bass was elected Archon Councilor by the 176th Ekklesia in 2024 and Vice-President by the 178th Ekklesia in 2026. He has served the Fraternity as a Section Leader and on the Board of Conduct, and he was a member of Oklahoma State’s BCA and House Corporation. Michael also served his chapter as Chapter President and Recording Secretary as an undergraduate. Professionally, Michael retired from an Associate General Counsel for Verizon, where he provided legal services to the wholesale services division. Additionally, Michael has served on the board of directors for Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, and he currently serves as the Chair of the Tulsa Police Foundation.

Archon Treasurer

Kevin Haga

(Jacksonville 1992)

Brother Haga was elected Archon Treasurer by the 176th Ekklesia in August 2024. Prior to his election, Kevin served on the Fraternity’s Financial Advisory Board, and he served nine years on the Educational Foundation Board of Directors, most recently as Finance Chairman from 2019-23. Kevin earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Jacksonville University (JU), where he served his chapter as Chapter President and Chapter Treasurer. He also earned his MBA in finance from Johns Hopkins University. Professionally, Kevin has worked in finance for over 20 years and currently works as a Director of Asset Liability Management for National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation. He also sat on the JU Alumni Board of Governors from 2012-19.

Archon Secretary

Dan Ownby

(Oklahoma State 1991)

Brother Ownby was elected Archon Secretary by the 178th Ekklesia in 2026. As an undergraduate, Dan was a founding father of the reestablished Sigma Omicron Chapter, and he served his Chapter as President and Historian. Professionally, Dan is President of West Shore Pipe Line Company, and he serves on several joint venture boards affiliated with Buckeye Partners. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Houston, where he teaches midstream energy finance to MBA students. Dan has also dedicated much of his life to the Scouting movement. He served the Boy Scouts of America as Chairman of the Board from 2020-23. He was the 40th person to serve as Chairman/President in the organization’s history, and the fourth who was a Phi Gam. During his tenure, he helped lead the organization through one of the most complex bankruptcies in U.S. history. He previously served two terms on the World Scout Committee, including his second term as Vice Chair. And he currently serves as Treasurer of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Additionally, Dan won the Fraternity’s Distinguished Fiji Award in 2023.

Archon Councilor

Ken Jessell

(Florida State 1977)

Brother Jessell was elected Archon Councilor by the 178th Ekklesia in 2026. Previously, Ken served in various BCA roles and as House Corporation President for his chapter. He has also been a keynote speaker for the 2024 Academy and several Pig Dinners at the Florida International Chapter, Florida State Chapter and Southwest Florida Graduate Chapter. Ken also served his chapter as President and Historian as an undergraduate. Professionally, Ken has had an over 40-year career in Florida’s public higher education system, being appointed Florida International University’s President in 2022 by the FIU Board of Trustees. In 2025, he assumed his current position as Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer. Additionally, he received the Fraternity’s 2024 Distinguished Fiji Award.

Archon Councilor

Vijay Sekhara

(Connecticut 2012)

Brother Sekhara was elected Archon Councilor by the 178th Ekklesia in 2026. Previously, Vijay has served the Fraternity as a Section Leader, member of the Section Leader Executive Committee and a member of the Inclusion & Belonging Committee. He has also served as President of the Xi (New York City) Graduate Chapter, President of the Houston Graduate Chapter and BCA Chairman for Sigma Eta at Sam Houston State. As an undergraduate, he was a founding member of his chapter and served as its first Corresponding Secretary. Professionally, Vijay serves as the Director of Partnerships at Resilience Media, where he works with startups, investors and government offices across the U.S. and Europe within the defense sector. He also volunteers for The Bowery Mission in New York, and he serves on the Board of Advisors for Defense Builder, a defense accelerator and fund based out of Ukraine.

Archon Councilor

Dave Willmer

(Akron 1992)

Brother Willmer was elected Archon Councilor by the 178th Ekklesia in 2026. Prior to his election, Dave served the Fraternity as Section Leader, winning the 2023 Haynes Award. He has also served the Fraternity as Field Secretary, Director of Programs and Chairman of the Expansion Committee at the 176th Ekklesia. As an undergraduate, Dave served his chapter as President and Recording Secretary. Professionally, Dave has had a 28-year career at Robert Half International, a $5 Billion global staffing and consulting firm, where he is a Senior District President. Additionally, Dave is a 20-year member of the Knights of Columbus, he served as chairman of the New Albany Special Olympics and Buddy Up Golf Outings, and has had a 10-year career as a High School Football Referee.

Chairman

Austin Shaw

(Texas Tech 2027)

Brother Shaw is a Founding Father of the Lambda Tau Chapter at Texas Tech University, where he is an energy commerce major. Before joining the UAC, Austin has served the Fraternity in many roles – most recently serving as Archon Councilor from August 2025 until the 178th Ekklesia, in August 2026. Austin also served on the Ritual teams for Delta Upsilon at Denver’s chartering and the 2025 Academy, and he was a member of the Fraternity’s Alcohol-Free Housing Exemption Review Committee. Additionally, he served his Chapter as Corresponding Secretary from 2024-25. Outside of the Fraternity, Austin has also served on Texas Tech’s IFC as Vice President of Philanthropy.

Member

Drew Barth

(Utah 2028)

Brother Barth is a Founding Father of the Sigma Lambda Chapter at Utah, where he currently serves as Chapter Historian. He also represented his Chapter at the 178th Ekklesia, in August 2026. Drew is a political science and pre-law major, who is active with the campus Democrats. Additionally, he serves as campaign manager for a Utah State House candidate.

Member

Marcus Bode

(Ohio Wesleyan 2028)

Brother Bode joined the Theta Deuteron Chapter at Ohio Wesleyan, where he is a double major in mathematics and music. Marcus currently serves his chapter on the recruitment and risk management committees. Previously, he has served his Chapter as Vice President, Treasurer and Scholarship Chairman. He also attended the 178th Ekklesia, where he served on the credentials committee. Outside the Fraternity, Marcus is captain of the men’s varsity tennis team, a member of the Math/CS student board and a mathematics tutor.

Member

Brady Poisal

(Illinois Wesleyan 2027)

Brother Poisal joined the Alpha Deuteron Chapter at Illinois Wesleyan, where he studies political science. Brady has served his chapter as Recruitment Chairman, helping rebuild the Chapter from 11 to 49 brothers, as well as Corresponding Secretary, Foundation of Courage Chairman and Scholarship & Risk Management Co-Chair. He also represented Phi Gamma Delta in Washington, DC through the NIC’s lobbying efforts, and he was one of two brothers selected for the First Amendment Institute. Outside of the Fraternity, Brady is a Resident Advisor, and he serves as Student Senate President.

Member

Evan Simpson

(Western Michigan 2027)

Brother Simpson joined the Kappa Mu Chapter at Western Michigan, where he majors in aviation flight science. Evan currently serves his chapter as Chief Justice and is organizing a new Senior Council. He has previously served his chapter as President and Foundation of Courage Chairman. He has also attended the 2024 Academy and the 176th Ekklesia (2024), where he served on the Amendments of Laws Committee. Outside of the Fraternity, Evan serves the IFC as Director of Recruitment, where he is redesigning formal recruitment across the University’s 12 IFC chapters. He is also an Eagle Scott and the past Vice President of the University’s Sailing Team.

Member

Stefan Vukas

(Allegheny 2027)

Brother Vukas is a member of the Pi Chapter at Allegheny, where he has served as Recording Secretary, Recruitment Chairman, Philanthropy Chairman, Risk Management Chairman and Scholarship Chairman. Stefan has also served on the Ritual team for Mu Alpha Chapter at West Virginia’s chartering, and he attended the 2024 Leadership Institute, 176th Ekklesia (2024) and 2025 Academy. Additionally, as IFC Treasurer, he helped get the council out of debt, and he was named IFC Member of the Year. Stefan is also engaged in faculty-mentored summer research, and he was a former varsity football player.

Curator of Archives

Joe Weist

(Rose-Hulman 1987)

Joe preserves and catalogs all Phi Gamma Delta memorabilia and historical records. He oversees the museum at the International Headquarters and Archives Weekend.

The Curator of Archives can be a resource to your chapter if you are interested in preserving archives and other important historical records.

Director of Inclusion & Belonging

DeVere Kutscher

(Davidson 1997)

As Director of Inclusion & Belonging, DeVere advises the Archons and staff on matters related to inclusion and the implementation of the Fraternity’s belonging initiatives. He also works with the staff in the development of undergraduate chapter and graduate volunteer-focused belonging resources, partnerships and educational opportunities.

Director of Housing

John Ziza

(Ohio 1978)

John advises the Archons and staff on issues related to housing. He serves as Chairman of the Housing Advisory, leading efforts to provide guidance and resources to the formation of new house corporations, and he helps chapter without a house chapters acquire housing.

Director of Volunteer Advancement & Engagement

Daniel Mossop

(Akron 1989)

Daniel advises the Archons and staff on development and implementation of volunteer recruitment, support and training initiatives. He provides updates on the status and needs of volunteer Section Leaders and chapter-level advisors for the Fraternity, and he coordinates efforts to implement initiatives with the Section Leader Executive Committee.

Educational Director

Amelious Whyte

(Minnesota Faculty)

Amelious advises the Archons and the Ekklesia in matters relating to the scholarship and educational programming at each chapter. He obtains the scholastic standing of each undergraduate chapter on its campus and certifies to the Archons all instances when chapters are delinquent in scholarship.

The Educational Director is a resource to undergraduate chapters wishing to improve their academic and/or educational programming.

General Counsel

Jim Boyers

(Hanover 1994)

Jim is an attorney who advises the Archons and the Ekklesia in matters relating to the formulation and interpretation of the Constitution, Bylaws of the Fraternity and other legal matters affecting the Fraternity.

Historian

Towner Blackstock

(Davidson 1994)

Towner collects, records and perpetuates all statistics and facts of interest pertaining to the Fraternity, its chapters and its members. During this process, he is encouraged to revise or add to the volumes of our Fraternity history books.

The Historian can serve as a resource to chapters wanting to document and preserve their own chapter history.

PR Director

Mike Sacks

(James Madison 2004)

As Public Relations (PR) Director, Mike protects and promotes the good name of Phi Gamma Delta by playing a leadership role in publicizing good works of the Fraternity and its chapters and handling crisis situations.

The PR Director can be a resource to chapters on public relations matters.

Ritualist

Josh Laufenberg

(Illinois 2008)

Josh is fully versed in every phase of the Fraternity’s ritualistic ceremonies. It is his duty to answer all communications regarding the Ritual, to prescribe their use and to interpret their meaning. He is also responsible for enforcing uniformity among all chapters in their observance of the ceremonies.

The Ritualist can be a resource for chapters wanting to improve their performance of the Ritual.