top of page
Meet the Divan
The Divan is the “board of directors” or “executive council” of the organization, and serves as the management team for both fraternal and business activities of the Shrine. Each Shrine Center has its own Divan, and the minimum number of Divan members is set by Imperial by-laws at five, with each of these being elected by the Nobility (membership). Therefore, all Shrine Centers have at least five members on the Divan.
Allen Sorbie
Potentate
941-264-4150
Sherry Sorbie
941-600-8301
Allen Sorbie began his Masonic journey in 1994 in the Caledonian Lodge of Uganda No 1389 of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. In October of 2005 he became a plural member of The Builders Lodge No. 376 Free and Accepted Masons here in Sarasota, ultimately becoming Worshipful Master in 2008 and District Deputy Grand Master for the 27th Masonic District in 2014-15.
Allen was regularly Received, Admitted and Constituted a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Sahib Shriners of Sarasota, Florida on December 1st, 2006. He joined the newly reformed Past Masters Unit and served as the Warden in 2009 serving as the Master/President in 2013. He has been a regular participant in the Ceremonial team since 2009 as well.
in 2006 Allen joined Scottish Rite Valley of Tampa Scottish Rite and installed in Consistory as the Master of Kadosh in 2019. Allen was also invested with the rank of "Knight Commander Court of Honour" (KCCH) in 2019.
He joined the Royal Arch in 1995 and became a Knight Templar in 2004 both in Scotland. He has held the office of District Deputy in all three York Rite bodies and served as Most Illustrious Grand Master in 2021-22. Allen was also invested with the rank of "Knight of the York Grand Cross of Honour" (KYGCH) in 2022.
Allen was born in Connecticut, however his parents moved back to Scotland when he was four. He came back for the military to serve in the US Navy when he was seventeen and went back to the UK after that. Allen came back over for a third time, this time to Sarasota, Florida in 1999 and he has been here since. He works for a Tax Software company as a Director of Information Security.
Oh, and he likes to play golf when he can :)
Jonathon Mitchell
High Priest and Prophet
941-587-5794
Jennifer Mitchell
Bio goes here
Tom Houser
Oriental Guide
941-915-5875
Marcia Goldstein
941-809-1109
Bio goes here
Paul Bekkenhuis
Recorder
Born in Boston, and raised in Norfolk, MA, I graduated from King Philip Regional H.S., Wrentham, MA. I enrolled at New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences, in Boston, now part of the University of Massachusetts, Boston. After graduating, and passing my State Boards, I embarked on my forty-year career beginning as a freelance trade embalmer for several funeral homes. In 1981, I purchased an established funeral home in my hometown, and then in 1986 opened a branch in Andover, MA. I served on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association for several years.
I have been married to my favorite Radio City Rockette, Andrea, for 47 years; have five children and three grandchildren. My two favorite sports are ice hockey and golf and I am lucky to have been able to play and excel in each. I played hockey in high school, college, and semi-pro leagues, then became a Certified High School & NCAA College Hockey Referee for eleven (11) years and a Varsity High School Hockey Coach in my home Town of Reading, MA for 15 years, during which time my team won several League, Division and State Championships! What a thrill it was to play, referee and coach at Boston Garden (now TD Garden), home ice of the Boston Bruins! I have also always loved the sport of golf. I am currently a member of Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club in Venice, FL..
I have one hobby, Barbershop Quartet & Chorus singing which I did for over 50 yrs. I have been a member of several groups including Chorus of the Keys, Sarasota, FL and International competing chorus, THX of Sunrise, FL. It was amazing to compete at the Rogers Center (now the Scotia Bank Center) in Toronto, Canada, home ice of the Toronto Maple Leaves, when we placed 7th in the International Championship in 2016.
In 2002 I retired as CEO of Edgerley & Bessom Funerals Homes Inc. of Reading and Andover, MA and Andrea and I moved to Florida. Retirement did not seem to suit me though and I decided to get a part time job: first at Plantation Golf & Country Club, Venice, then as a bar tender at Sahib Shrine, Sarasota. Venice Theatre, recruited me to tend their bar twice a week. Which quickly led to my 14-year, full time job as Concession Stand Manager & bar tender.
My Masonic background began March 2, 1983, when I was Raised to the Subline degree in Good Samaritan Lodge AF & AM, Reading, MA. Among other offices I held I was elected as Master to serve in 2001-2002. I was a member The Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Boston, Aleppo Shriners, Wilmington, MA, and Bektash Shriners Concord, NH. At Bektash, I was quite active as a member of their Aides Unit. Upon moving to Venice, I joined Sahib Shrine and became a member of the Mariners Unit. I have served as Fleet Captain, Vice Commodore and then Commodore in both 2010 and 2021. I was honored to be appointed as Asst. Rabban in 2021, elected as Chief Rabban in 2021 and Potentate in 2022. To be part of a great team hear at Sahib and Shriners International is the high point of my working life. Because We Care, Paul F. Bekkenhuis, Potentate
Chief Aide
Floyd LaDue
941-725-0555
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey. After a couple of years, the family moved to a small, quiet and beautiful island called Aruba. My father worked for Largo Oil Co. in those days. After eight years left paradise to move back to New Jersey. Why – Oh Why?? Educated in NJ. Employed in the baking manufacturing industry for several years in various positions. Examples – industrial engineering, machine design and fabrication, area personnel manager and warehouse & receiving director and a few others. After years of standard industry decided it was time for a change. Drove, managed and then owned a limousine company in central New Jersey.
Tired of the cold weather and snow pulled up stakes and moved to the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Over the past 30+ years have owned a customized auto paint and interior repair business, worked for the Sarasota Salvation Army as well as being the Maintenance Director for Meals On Wheels Plus of Manatee County for 15 years.
Was raised a Master Mason in Gavel Lodge #273 in 1966 in Union, N.J. Served as Master of Gavel Lodge in 1973. Also, served as Secretary of the Lodge for a few years after that. Joined Sahib Shrine in 2000. Have been the President/Music Director of the nationally awarded Great Sahib Oriental Band for several years.
Was asked by ILL. Sir Paul Bekkenhuis in 2023 to serve as Chief Aide for which I am gratefully honored to serve.
bottom of page