Click Photo for larger view Biography - Most Worshipful Jay Adam Pearson, Grand Master Most Worshipful Jay Adam Pearson, Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina was born at Lockbourne AFB, Columbus, Ohio on July 27th 1962. Most Worshipful Jay is the son of John Henry Pearson and the late Betty Jean Pearson of Charleston, South Carolina. In as much as his father being a thirty year veteran of the United States Air Force, he was afforded the opportunity to be educated in public schools around the world. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, completing his Technical Training at Chanute AFB. Jay graduated the Military Leadership School and The Air Crew Life Support Specialist Course, the head of his class. He served his country in several temporary duty stations around the world; and while stationed at Pope Air Force Base his wing supported Operation Urgent Fury for which they received an outstanding unit award, and he was honorably discharged in 1986. Brother Jay furthered his education by enrolling in the Community College of the Air Force while stationed at Pope Air Force Base. In 1996 he was a graduate of The National Center for Construction Education and Research. In 1998 he was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Society International Scholastic Order. In 1999 Jay graduated Greenville Technical College, Cum Laude, with a degree in Occupational Technology with a major in Industrial Technology. In 2002 Jay was selected “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” and in 2004 he was selected as the Engineering Divisions Professor of the Year. In 2005 Jay was selected to serve on the National Education Committee for Carpentry for SkillsUSA, and he was reappointed in 2010. In 2008 Jay was a graduate of The President’s Leadership Institute for Technical Colleges, and in 2010 he was selected to be in “The Global Directory of Who’s Who” honoring Executives and Professionals. In addition to being very active in serving in different bodies of the Fraternity Brother Jay is also very active in serving his community. He is a Deacon of Holly Springs Baptist Church located in Inman South Carolina, where he has taught Sunday School in the Youth Department for the last 22 years. He is a member of the Youth Council, the Nominating Committee, and serves as the Discipleship Training Union Director. He is active in The American Legion and the PTO. Brother Jay works with business and industry to develop partnerships to raise and secure funds to build homes for Habitat for Humanity. He has served as the project leader in building over 150 houses in the last 10 years. Jay is a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, Inc. is irrevocably dedicated to and is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes. They have provided financial support to educational institutions and organizations; the funds have been utilized for the purchase of wheelchairs for muscular dystrophy victims. Jay joined the Boy Scouts on his 16th birthday and 3 days before his 18th birthday he attained the rank of Eagle Scout; he continues to be active in local scout troops. Brother Jay is an active member of the Spartanburg Educational Speaker’s forum and is the featured speaker at local elementary, junior and high school programs promoting the need and value of education. Brother Jay has been a professor at Greenville Technical College since 1987, and he is the Department Head for the Building Construction Department. He serves on the committee for the Department of Education in South Carolina which governs and writes the construction standards for both secondary and post secondary. Nationally Brother Jay is recognized as an SME (subject matter expert) in Building Construction. He serves on Technical Committees that are task to write the text books for the National Center for Construction Education and Research. To date he has participated in writing 4 text books which have been adopted through out the United States in Career and Technical Schools. Internationally for the last two years Brother Jay has worked with Greenville Technical College’s Board of Directors and faith based organizations in partnership with the Government of Haiti to build a Technical School outside of Port-au- Prince, Haiti. He has developed curriculum and will train the instructors when they come to the United States. Brother Jay was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on July 15th 1986, in Inman Lodge # 201. In 1990 he was elected Mason of the year for the 20th masonic district. Jay served as Worshipful Master in 1993, and he received the Master and Wardens 150% Award in 1997. He is a Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Japan. He served The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina as Junior Grand Deacon in 1995 and District Deputy Grand Master for the 20th District 2001-2003. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 2005, Senior Grand Warden in 2007, and Deputy Grand Master in 2009. Most Worshipful Jay is an active member of the Spartanburg York Rite Bodies being exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Chicora Chapter # 33 where he served as High Priest. Jay served the Grand Royal Arch Chapter as Right Excellent District Deputy Grand High Priest for the Fourth (4th) District. He was greeted as a Select Master in Blake Council # 19 where he served as Illustrious Master. He served The Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters as Grand Marshal, and Right Illustrious District Deputy Grand Master for the Fourth (4th) District. Jay is Grand Representative to the Grand Council of Tennessee. The General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International awarded Jay the Adult Leadership Metal for his commitment to better the community through his voluntary work in the public school system. In 2003 he was presented the highest award the Grand Council can bestow, The Cryptic Mason of the Year. Jay was dubbed and created a Knight Templar in Spartanburg Commandery # 3 and he served as Eminent Commander. He has served The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of South Carolina as the Right Eminent Grand Representative for the Fourth (4th) District. Jay is a Knight York Cross of Honor, and a Knight Commander of the Temple. Brother Jay is a member of the Spartanburg Scottish Rite Valley where he is a Past Wise Master of Spartanburg Chapter of Rose Croix, and a Past Venerable Master of Piedmont Lodge of Perfection. He is a Past Commander in the Greenville Council of Kadosh, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Scottish Rite Foundation of South Carolina. In 2001 Jay was selected to serve on the Degree Team as Grand Master of Ceremonies to confer the Knight Commander Court of Honor in Charleston South Carolina for the 200 year celebration. In 2003, due to his dedication to the Craft he was Coroneted a 33 rd degree Inspector General Honorary. Jay serves on South Carolina’s 33 degree team as Grand Minister of State. Brother Jay is a member of many Appendant Bodies. He is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star serving Inman Chapter #169 as Worthy Patron in 2010, The Royal Order of Scotland, the Scottish Rite Research Society, the Knight Masons, the Allied Masonic Degrees- past Sovereign Master #166, Piedmont York Rite College # 84- Past Governor, Red Cross of Constantine, Society of Rosicrucian’s, Hejaz, and Omar Shrine Temples and past president of Hejaz Shrine Temple Past Masters Unit. Jay is an honorary recipient of the DeMolay Legion of Honor. In 2003 due to his work in the quarry of Freemasonry and his service to humanity M.W. Brother G. Kent Elkins Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina presented him the second highest honor in masonry in South Carolina, “The Fredrick Dalcho Certificate of Merit”. In 2009 M.W. Brother Gerald “Jerry” Carver Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina in recognition of his devotion to the craft, his willingness to serve his church and brethren whenever called upon, and his many unselfish acts to his fellow man, selected and presented him the Highest Honor in masonry in South Carolina the “Albert Gallatin Mackey Medal”.

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