Worshipful Brother Ted Berry is a 1988 graduate of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida where he earned a BS in Marine Science. In 1995, he received his MBA with an International Finance concentration from the University of Hartford, Bloomfield, Connecticut.

In his early career, Worshipful Brother Berry led a national environmental and hazardous waste management firm and also held various technical, managerial and sales positions including general management of two treatment divisions and management of a sales budget of over two million dollars. Currently, he is Vice President of Wealth Management, at Smith Barney Washington DC. and works with nearly 70 associations and non-profit organizations, providing investment consulting services on nearly $250 million in total assets.

Masonically, Worshipful Brother Berry was raised in 1991 in Eastern Star Lodge, Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Here in Washington, he served as Worshipful Master of Benjamin B. French Lodge No. 15 and currently serves as its Treasurer. He is an active participant in the Lodge’s education program and ritual work.

This year, he has also been serving as Worshipful Master of the Pythagoras Lodge of Research. He was a founding member of Fiat Lux Lodge No. 1717.

Worshipful Brother Berry is very active in both the York and Scottish Rite bodies and is a member of various Masonic research societies. An active online Mason, he participates in the Masonic Light YahooGroup, and currently serves as the contributor for Rhyme and Reason, an occasional segment focusing on Masonic poetry and other poetry with themes that fit Masonic ideals and philosophy. He is a contributor to the Masonic Poets Society and is a partner and co-creator of the ZenMasonry website.

Worshipful Brother Berry has frequently served on various committees in the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, including Masonic Education and Service, Bi-Centennial, and the Building committee. He has chaired or co-chaired the Masonic Education and Service committee on multiple occasions.

Worshipful Brother Berry’s light burns brightest in his commitment to Masonic Education. For over five years he has led the development of a truly outstanding Masonic Education program for Benjamin B. French Lodge No. 15 and is promoting excellence in Masonic Education as the sitting Worshipful Master of Pythagoras Lodge of Research. Broadening his focus to benefit the entire jurisdiction, he led five outstanding sessions of the Grand Lodge of Instruction this year. With great zeal and unyielding commitment, Ted has brought a fresh and thoughtful approach to Masonic Education.

The Grand Master is honored to recognize Worshipful Brother Ted Berry by awarding him the Valentine Reintzel Medal for Meritorious Service.

At the time of this interview, Bro. Darryl Carter was the Junior Deacon of the Lodge.

When did you join Masonry?

I was initiated an Entered Apprentice in 2005. 

What first attracted you to BBF?

About 10 years ago I was very interested in Masonry and made some inquiries in Maryland (where I reside), which were responded to lukewarmly at best. So frankly, I got the message, and lost interest. I actually visited BBF for the first time to hear a Russian Orthodox priest present a paper on the classic of Christian mysticism, The Cloud of Unknowing. The presentation was excellent, but the ensuing discussion was absolutely brilliant. After the meeting we retired to the Blue Gin for refreshment, and I was privileged to experience the sincere welcoming warmth of the Brethren of BBF. I knew that night that I wanted to be a part of this extraordinary band of brothers. 

Are you married?

Yes, I’ve been married to my wife, Marsha, for 23 years. We have a daughter, Claire Nora, who will turn 10 next month. They mean everything to me. 

What do you do professionally?

I’m a physician and biomedical research scientist. Five years ago I left the faculty of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to found a biopharmaceutical company, Nora Therapeutics. I’ve found that a genetically engineered version of one of the body’s own proteins that is used as a medication in cancer patients can also prevent unexplained spontaneous miscarriages. Approximately 5 million women in the US alone suffer from unexplained recurrent spontaneous miscarriage. My company recently raised $25M in a series A equity round from three blue chip venture capital firms in Silicon Valley, which will allow us to proceed with formal clinical trials. By the way, “Nora”, is Biblical Hebrew. It’s my daughter’s middle name, and it has important Biblical and Kabbalistic significance. That’s a riddle for anyone who’s interested.

Where do you live?

I live in Owings Mills, Maryland, which is about 20 miles northwest of Baltimore City. That’s pretty far, how long does it take you to get to lodge? It usually takes an hour and forty-five minutes, but dealing with I-695 and I-495 at rush hour, I try to budget two hours. 

How have you found the time to be an officer in BBF?

Well, through the support of my family, and through the support of my fellow officers (including yourself of course), and of the Past Masters, and all of the Brethren. It’s not easy; it’s one way to say “thank you” for all that I get from BBF. 

Do you have other Masonic or non-Masonic activities?

I’m a member of a couple of other Masonic bodies including the Pythagoras Lodge of Research, where I’m the current Junior Steward. I’m also an ordained priest in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (although I am not Ethiopian). I’m also an avid but mediocre target shooter.

What vision do you have for BBF, and what needs to happen to realize that vision?

That’s really difficult. I’ve been a Mason for such a short time. I have to improve myself so much before I think it’s even appropriate to have such a vision. As the Junior Deacon, I’m in observation and learning mode. As far as my personal priorities, Masonic education is very important to me, especially the symbology of the Craft, which is a relative weakness of mine; one of many! I’m also big on sacred geometry. When I was passed to Fellow Craft, the “G” in the East really clicked for me. For example, I’ve been studying the geometry of the Temple of Solomon for a few of months. I have so much to learn. Should I have the privilege of sitting in the East, I will face a very high bar set by those who have occupied that seat so impressively before. The easiest part of a vision for BBF is simply to provide for the continuity of its tradition of Masonic excellence. But, that is a part, and not the whole of a vision.

On November 6, 2008, the Worshipful Master of Benjamin B. French Lodge No. 15 presented the COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD, which was established by the Lodge to recognize those individuals providing outstanding volunteer service at Historical Congressional Cemetery.

Below is the speech that he had delivered during that ceremony:

“Good afternoon and thank you, Mr. Crowley, for the kind introduction.

I wish Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton were still here so that I could have mentioned that I voted for her on Tuesday.

I am a member of the oldest fraternity in the world. My fraternity predates the founding of this country and certainly predates the founding of this city. It is also because of my fraternity that every single fraternity or sorority uses Greek letters and also why so many of our buildings in Washington DC look Greek or Roman, or why the Washington Monument is an Egyptian obelisk…and why there are so many headstones in this cemetery which are in that exact same style.

There are many Freemasons buried in this cemetery.

In fact, the man who laid the cornerstone of the Washington Monument

– in Masonic fashion of course — was Benjamin B. French and it is after him that my Lodge is named.

Benjamin B. French was Clerk of the U.S House of Representatives in the 1830s and 1840s and later, under President Abraham Lincoln, became Commissioner of all public buildings and grounds in the city. He was charged with taking care of the Capitol, the President’s House, and — this was all before “home rule” — the city’s streets, public squares and bridges. He administering the Capitol policeman and was put in charge of the Capitol extension and the new Capitol dome, which was completed during the time of Lincoln. Brother French was also responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and repair of the White House and other public structures in his charge. He even made sure there was enough firewood and coal to heat the buildings at all times, which is no small responsibility.

Over time, Benjamin B. French became very close to Lincoln. He even served as Marshall in Chief at the dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery and wrote the “Consecration Hymn” preceding the famed Gettysburg Address, which is probably the most famous speech ever given in American history. He was also there with President Lincoln as he lay dying after being shot at Ford’s Theater.

As a Freemason, Benjamin B. French served as Grand Master of the District of Columbia for seven consecutive years. While Grand Master, he laid the cornerstones of the east extension of the U.S. Capitol Building, the Smithsonian Castle and the Washington Monument. It was also because of Benjamin B. French that Prince Hall Masonry, for African-Americans, was born.

In fact, the first Prince Hall Lodges first met in the barn on his property and it is directly because of Brother French that African- Americans in this city first became Masons.

When Benjamin B. French — whose gravesite is just over there – - died, his obituary appeared on the FRONT page of the New York Times.

Brother John Philip Sousa, whom we honor today on his birthday, was also a Freemason. In fact he was a member of Hiram Lodge No. 10 here in the District of Columbia. Of course he wrote many pieces that all of us know, and some that we will hear later, but what most of you are not aware is that he also composed many pieces specifically for the members of our fraternity.

However, each year for the past five years, to honor our namesake and his final resting place, Benjamin B. French Lodge No. 15 awards a volunteer at Congressional Cemetery for their outstanding service.

Masons take pride in being “builders”, however, we also believe in preserving what has already been built…and today we honor Ms. Sandra Schmidt for her outstanding service to the cemetery. I realize that there is no amount of money that can compensate for the countless hours of volunteer work you’ve given over the years but please accept this small token on behalf of our Lodge (presented check). Of course we all know that money comes and goes but hopefully this will last forever (presented plaque).

Thank you very much for all that you do.”

- Thank you!

Lodge Picnic with Project Life 2008 Participants was a smashing success.  Please see for yourself.  We strongly urge you to take part in Project Life next year.

Fraternally yours,

Brethren,

On August 6, our Project Life guests will be visiting DC landmarks and the
National Zoo.

The Lodge still has several free passes to Six Flags Amusement Park to be
given to brothers willing to join the orphaned boys and girls from Chechnya
and Sri Lanka for a part or the whole day on that date.

These passes are good until November 2008.

The complete schedule for this year’s Project Life program:

Sunday, August 3 – Arrival

Monday, August 4 – National Aquarium in Baltimore

Wednesday, August 6 – National Zoo and monuments in Washington, DC

Thursday, August 7 – Six Flags Amusement Park

Saturday, August 9 – Lodge Picnic at Glen Echo Park

Sunday, August 10 – Departure

Everyone is welcome to bring their families and friends and join our guests
for any of the aforementioned activities between August 4 and 9.

Please contact me by emailing roman.volsky@verizon.net or calling
410-499-0580 to let me know if you and yours will be joining in on the
"Project Life" activities.

Fraternally,
Roman Volsky, PM

We are pleased to announce the inclusion of a new section into the BBF website – BBF Video (click to find out more).  Enjoy!