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Our People
Meet the Team Behind Your Foundation!
Walter F. Wheeler, PGM
Executive Director
Walt joined the Foundation as the Interim Director in October of 2009, and was recently named full-time Executive Director. Prior to joining the Foundation Walt was a partner and manager in several businesses, including two bowling centers, two restaurants, a trucking company, a merchandising company and a real estate holding company.
Fraternally Walt was Worshipful Master of Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34 in 1985. He served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan in 2006-2007 and has served as Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge since January of 2008. He is a senior member of the Order of DeMolay where he is a Past Master Councilor and a Past District Master Council. He has received the degree of Chevalier, the Legion of Honor and is an Honorary Member of the DeMolay Supreme Council. He is a Past High Priest of Grand Rapids Chapter No. 7 Royal Arch Masons, a Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Tyre Council No. 10 Royal and Select Masons, and a Past Commander of DeMolai Commandery No. 5 Knights Templar. He is a member of St. Vincent's Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine, he is a Past Sovereign Master of Mt. Moriah Council No. 128 Allied Masonic Degrees, and West Michigan York Rite College No. 10. In addition he is a member of Peninsular Chapter No. 65 Order of Eastern Star, Saladin Shrine A.A.O.N.M.S, the Royal Order of Jesters, Noruh Grotto M.O.V.P.E.R., the Michigan College of the Rosicrucians and Furniture City High Twelve Club. In the Scottish Rite, he is a Past Thrice Potent Master, a Past Sovereign Prince and a Past Commander-in-Chief in the Valley of Grand Rapids. He was coronetted a 33rd degree Mason in 1997 and was crowned an Active Member of the Supreme Council in 2009.
W. Keith Bankwitz, PM, CFRE
Director of Philanthropy
Keith Bankwitz joined the MMCF as the Director of Philanthropy in June 1997. He’s currently a member of Livonia Lodge No. 586 and Past Master of Britannia Lodge No. 601. While at MMCF, he has helped to launch the Lewis Cass Society and conducted a series of successful Annual and Capital Campaigns.
Keith has extensive experience in fund-raising and has been a Certified Fund Raising Executive since 1982. Some of his previous positions include tenure with the American Lung Association of southeast Michigan, the Boys & Girls Clubs of southeast Michigan, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation.
Diana Bradley
Executive Administrative Assistant
Diana Bradley is the Executive Administrative Assistant for the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation. She has been a valued team player since joining the
Foundation in October of 2000. She is currently responsible for managing the donor database in addition to overseeing all gift processing.
Diana and her husband Dean assist with the Florida and Arizona Reunions and the yearly Lewis Cass Society Annual Appreciation Dinner. Diana is a proud member of Alma Chapter No. 43, O.E.S. She was secretary for five years and is currently Associate Conductress.
Peggy Wright
Administrative Assistant
Peggy Wright joined the staff at the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation on June 30, 2008. She worked as a legal secretary for several years, and has been involved with many children’s programs through school and church. Peggy is a great asset to our department. Of her many responsibilities, Peggy maintains the Action Records database for the Foundation.
 Joe Corrado
Major Gifts Officer
Master Mason
Paw Paw/Lawton Lodge No. 25Joe brings to the Foundation team 30 years of fundraising and nonprofit experience. Joe initially worked for the Foundation assisting the Director of Philanthropy in 2005 and 2006 and has since rejoined us as our Major Gifts Officer in July of 2008. Joe received his undergraduate degree from DePaul University and has completed graduate-level certificate programs in non-profit management and resource development at the University of Illinois, Chicago.
A Chicago native, Joe relocated to Michigan in 1999 where he went on to manage many successful non-profit campaigns.
Joe is a Master Mason at the Paw Paw/Lawton Lodge # 25.
Rikka Bos
Communications Manager
Rikka Bos (rēka boss) joined the Foundation as the Communications Manager in September of 2008. Rikka will be assisting Lodges with getting the news out about the good work they are doing with the support of the Foundation through community grants, student scholarships, and the Michigan Child ID program. Prior to joining the Foundation Rikka worked as the Marketing Manager for the Michigan Masonic Home.
Rikka received her bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University in Health Care Systems Administration and completed two years of the Master’s in Social Work program at Grand Valley State University before discovering her true passion in public administration. Rikka is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis on nonprofit health care administration.
Craig Maison
Developmental Officer, Lodge and Member Relations
Master Mason
Traverse City Lodge No. 222
Craig joined the Foundation as our Developmental Officer in September of 2008. Prior to joining the Foundation Craig worked with Consumers Energy as a state-certified energy consultant for twelve years. He also worked for a developer selling high-end real estate for over fifteen years, during which time he sold over 18 million dollars worth of property.
Craig received his undergraduate degree from Spring Arbor University where he complted his bachelor's degree with a double-major in philosophy and psychology. He has the equivalent of a minor in business.
Craig is a Master Mason at the Traverse City Lodge #222 where he was Worshipful Master in 2004, 2005, and 2006. His lodge received the Lodge of the Year award in 2006, and Craig was voted Mason of the Year in 2003. Craig is currently the president of the Cherryland High-Twelve club.
The 2009-2010 MMCF Board of Trustees
David R. Bedwell Sr., PGM, President
Superior Township MI 48198
dbedwell@ameritech.net
David Boring, Vice President
Grosse Pointe MI 48230
dboring@comcast.net
Donald L. Carman, MWGM
Sterling Heights MI 48312
don@carmalot.com
F. Ted Praria, RWDGM
Hudsonville MI 49426
prariaft@charter.net
Frederick E. Kaiser, Jr., RWSGW
Royal Oak MI 48067
fkaiser@ameritech.net
Dean A. Barr, RWJGW
Warren MI 48091
dbarr542@wowway.com
Walter F. Wheeler, RWGT
Wyoming MI 49519
w.wheeler@comcast.net
Robert W. Stevens, PGM, RWGS
Alma MI 48801
grandsec@grandlodgemi.org
Kenneth Carroll, Trustee
Pinckney MI 48169
aileronltd@millpondpark.com
Roger Myers, Trustee
Canton MI 48188
rctmyers@comcast.net
Raymond E. Basham, Trustee
Taylor MI 48180
rebasham@comcast.net
W. Don Baugher, PGM, Trustee
Coloma MI 49038
wdbaugher@comcast.net
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