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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.
Frank Metheny
Potentate
941-374-3131
Jana Metheny
913-952-0098
I was born and raised in Russell, Kansas graduating from Russell High School in 1966 where I first met my beautiful wife Jana. I soon joined the US Navy and served four years during the Viet Nam conflict. I spent two years at Pensacola, Florida Naval Air Station then the next two years at Quonset Point R.I. I was in a helicopter squadron attached to aircraft carriers Wasp and Intrepid. We made three cruises to various ports in Europe and many months in the North Atlantic. I enjoyed my Navy days and looking back it could have been a great career for me but at 22 I thought I have done this so let’s try something different.
I joined an insurance company and moved into management for many years where I learned to sell almost anything. Time for another change I started my first car dealership in Russell. I was successful but time to move on. I spent the next seventeen years in Springfield, Missouri where I teamed up with two friends forming Team Motorsports selling high end exotic cars to our customers everywhere. It was as crazy fun time but again time for a change. In 2001 I moved to Sarasota and started another car dealership. In 2018 I decided that was enough so I tried retirement. Since I have worked all of my life that didn’t work so I continued selling and having fun.
I was raised a Master Mason in Russell, Kansas Lodge #177 in 1979. I immediately continued as a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, then I crossed the Hot Sands to become a member of ISIS Shrine temple in Salina, Kansa in 1979. I became a member of The Russell Shrine Club serving as President in 1985. As president I hade quite a successful year increasing membership and growing the club financially.
IN 2001 I moved to Sarasota and joined Sahib Shrine Temple. Being an avid boater all of my life I joined the Mariners Unit. After five years in line I advanced to Commodore in 2012. I immediately started up the line with the Florida Shrine Mariners Association serving as Commodore in 2015. In 2021 I again was appointed to Commodore of the FSMA for another term. I am presently a member of the Mariners, Motor Corp, Hillbillys, and the Venice Shrine Club.
In 2021 I was appointed to High Priest and Profit of Sahib Temple. In 2022 I was elected to Assistant Rabban and Chief Rabban in 2023. Working with Illustrious Potentate Paul Bekkenhuis, Assistant Rabban Allen Sorbie, Oriental Guide and Genera Manager Tom Hauser, Recorder Bill Batten and our entire staff the best is yet to be.
My wife Jana and favorite nurse have been married for five years, together have five children and fourteen grandchildren. The highlight of our lives is when we travel to spend time with them. Jana is looking forward to supporting me in our shrine venture
Allen Sorbie
Chief Rabban
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 :)
Mike Comrie
High Priest and Prophet
239-247-1914
Evette Comrie
941-916-8450
I was born in New York City in 1959 and grew up in a tough neighborhood called Hell’s Kitchen on the West Side of Manhattan, hence one of my favorite movies is West Side Story. I played basketball for Power Memorial High School following the footsteps of our more famous alumni, NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (who was known as Lew Alcindor then). I also was on the Chess team. I actually was much better at chess than basketball as at one time I was ranked 14th in the High School Chess Clubs of New York City.
After high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1980, becoming a computer programmer for the military. After 4 years of service with 2 years stationed overseas at USAF Headquarters in Ramstein, Germany, writing logistic programs to manage munitions and armaments for all of NATO in Europe. I was discharged as a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) with the rank of Staff Sergeant, a commendation medal for meritorious service, and an Associate’s Degree (AA) from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) in Computer Science.
After the service, I returned to New York City. I worked as a computer programmer on Wall Street for various financial firms like American Express, Merrill Lynch, Shearson Lehman, and First Boston to name a few. After a few years of Wall Street experience, I started my own computer consulting firm. After many successful years, I decided to retire to Florida.
In 1994, I married the love of my life, Evette and we had our first daughter in 1995. My mother had already retired to Port Charlotte, Florida in 1986. So, with our 2-year-old daughter, Tiffany, we followed my mother and moved to Port Charlotte, Florida in 1997. In 2000, our second daughter, Brittany, was born. Evette has been a VPK Teacher for the past 20 years. In 2023, our daughter, Tiffany, became a mom and gave birth to our grandson, James. Also in 2023, our daughter Brittany got her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from FGCU.
Now back in 1997, computer science careers and jobs were not as plentiful here in SW FL. So, I tried to keep busy and tried different things, like bartending, restaurant management, being the first mate on a yacht, ballroom dance instructor, and even auto sales. However since I had acquired my Series 7 stock broker’s license previously on Wall Street, I decided to become a financial planner. After 8 roller coaster years in financial planning, I transitioned into being a Medicare Insurance Agent for Humana. I had a very successful career with Humana. I was President’s Club for many years and at one point, I achieved an agent ranking of 33 in the nation for Humana. In 2018, Humana offered me a “golden parachute” package and I happily accepted. So, I officially “retired” from Humana and part of the package was to help me start my own insurance company, as they transferred my large book of business and all my clients to my new insurance company, Embassy Insurance and Financial Group, LLC.
My Masonic career started over 25 years ago in 1998. I was raised as a Master Mason in April 1998. I went through both the Scottish Rite and the York Rite in 1998. I became a Noble Shriner in November 1998. For the Shrine, I have been Parade Marshal, Legion of Honor, Secretary for the Director’s Staff, Mandarin, KKOP, Webmaster, and bartender for many Shrine events and parties.
I am or have also been a member of many other fraternities like the Elks, the Moose, the Eagles, the Rotary Club, the VFW, etc.
I am currently a member of the Royal Order of Ponce de Leon Conquistadors in Charlotte County and the American Legion Post 103. I am the 2019 Past President, the 2020 Past Ponce, and also the current 2024 President of the Royal Order of Ponce de Leon Conquistadors in Charlotte County.
Currently, I am a member of Venice Shrine Club/KKOPS and Sahib Legion of Honor, Punta Gorda Lodge 115, Scottish Rite Valley of Fort Myers, and the National Sojourners for Masonic Veterans.
I enjoy Golf, Tennis, Basketball, Chess, and Poker, Motorcycling, Boating, Jet skiing, and Skydiving. I am a proud Mason and Shriner and look forward to doing what I can to promote Shrinedom and help Sahib become one of the best Shrine Centers in North America!
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
Mike Pender, 33°
Treasurer
941-374-5744
Marie
Michael R. Pender, Jr. has been with Cavanaugh & Co, LLP for 47 years, and a partner since 1979. He has experience in all phases of public accounting, including auditing, tax, financial planning, business advisory services, as well as fraud and forensic accounting.
Michael has served as both tax advisor and estate planning advisor to high-net-worth individuals throughout his career. His experience includes working with entertainment professionals, executives, corporate business founders and a member of the PGA. He has also been an organizing director of three community banks: Sarasota Bank (which was sold to Colonial Bank), Insignia Bank (which was sold to Centennial Bank), and Gulfside Community Bank. He has also held audit committee positions for several privately held companies.
Michael is a past president of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (2010-11) and a past member of the AICPA council the governing body of the AICPA (2004-2011). He was a NAC commissioner on the AICPA National Accreditation committee, which is the body that oversees specialization credentials. He holds the following designations in addition to being a CPA: Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) and a Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA) all issued by the AICPA and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) issued by the ACFE.
A strong believer in the values set forth by Cavanaugh & Co, Michael also has a history of significant volunteer work on the boards of local, state, and national nonprofit organizations for the last 47 years. He has served on the boards of the Sarasota County Community Foundation, Tree Foundation, and Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay Foundation, and as a member of Leadership Florida, Sarasota and Manatee chambers, Argus Foundation, Gulf Coast CEO Forum, Florida Tax Watch, Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center, Van Wezel Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County Foundation, Pines of Sarasota, Sarasota YMCA Foundation, Library Foundation for Sarasota County, Circus Ring of Fame Foundation, and many more.
He is also an active member of the Masonic Fraternities: He was raised a Master Mason in 1983, Joined the York Rite-Knights Templar, Scottish Rite 32°, and Sahib Temple Shriners in 1984. He has been the treasurer of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Tampa since 2013 and the Sahib Shrines since 2021. He was honored as a Scottish Rite KCCH in 2015 and received the honorary 33° in 2019. He is also currently a board of trustee member of the Masonic Home of Florida, located in St. Petersburg, FL.
During his membership in Sahib Temple, he services in the Shrine Circus Box Office during the years that Bill Kay was the producer of the Circus. He also served as Circus Finance Chairman, member of the Sahib Temple Finance Committee when the CAARF was first formed. He holds membership in the Hillbilly’s and the Mariners Units.
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.
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