The Grand Prior

The Order’s Grand Prior is His Excellency the Most Reverend the Chevalier William Myers GCJ, SSM, JD, MBA. Chevalier the Most Reverend Myers was ordained to the priesthood in the Old Roman Catholic tradition. He was consecrated a bishop in 2012 and now leads the Church. In addition to this role, he is Superior General of the Priestly Society of Mercy. In addition to his ecclesiastical training for ministry, he holds a juris doctorate from Northern Kentucky University and a Masters of Business Administration from William Howard Taft University. He utilizes this training to advocate for children, and in his secular life leads a child-protection non-profit. He is active in various non-profit agencies and also serves as Prior of the Order of Saint Joachim’s American Commandery and leads the Knight Errant Commandery.

Chevalier Myers is an Honorary Colonel and Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and received the Freedom of the City of London in 2020. He also holds membership in other chivalric organizations.

In 2021 His Excellency the Most Reverend the Chevalier William Myers GCJ succeeded the Order’s long-standing previous Grand Prior, His Excellency the Most Reverend the Chevalier Douglas Lewins GCJ, who had served in that role since 1990, and now serves as the Order’s Grand Prior Emeritus.

The Most Reverend Chevalier William Myers GCJ can be reached at grandprior@stjoachimorder.org.

The Grand Chancellor

His Excellency The Chevalier Dr. Prince William Alexander Basztyk GCJ has an extensive background in business and education. He is a retired professor from the faculty of business at George Brown College where he served in that position for more than 25 years. He is also the Chairman/CEO of Interprohealth Corp., a health care facility operator and the Glam Group of companies, a retail and property development group operating in both Canada and the USA.

He is dedicated to lifelong learning and holds a Ph.D. in business as well as an MBA. He is the holder of many professional qualifications and designations including Chartered Secretary (FCIS), Chartered Builder (MCIOB) and Fellow, Chartered Insurance Professional (F.C.I.P.).

H.E. The Chevalier Dr. Prince Basztyk is descended from hereditary nobility and holds the title of Russian Prince (non-Royal) as well as French Duchy and Marquisate. He has been honoured with the appointment of Honorary Colonel and Aide de Camp to the Governor of Kentucky, and as Honorary Colonel in the Alabama State Militia, Army and Air National Guard. He is a Knight Grand Cross of the Knights Templar, Order of St. John the Baptist of America, and a Knight Commander of Justice of the Sovereign Order of St. John. He is listed in Canadian Who’s Who.

He may be reached at gc@stjoachimorder.org.

The Vice Grand Chancellor

H.E. The Chevalier Dr. David A. Douglas GCJ PhD FSAScot serves as The Order’s Vice Grand Chancellor. He previously served as the Grand Capitular and the Commander of Canada.

H.E. The Chevalier Douglas GCJ holds a research PhD degree in Archaeology. He is the current Regimental Liaison Officer and Band member with the Toronto Signals, an elected member of the Regimental Advisory Council, appointed member of the Regimental Family Association and the Past-President of Jimmy and Associates, all affiliated with the 32 Signal Regiment Royal Canadian Corp of Signals and the Communications and Electronic Branch, Canadian Armed Forces Reserves.

Among his many honours and awards H.E. The Chevalier Douglas GCJ is a Freeman of the City of London (UK), an officer with the 78 Fraser Highlanders, a member of the Cameronian Scottish Rifles Association, an Honorary Colonel and Aid-de-Camp to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a Major General, Knight of Honour and past Grand Prefect of Canada of the Corps St Lazarus International (CSLI), and a Knight in The Order of the Precious Blood and a Knight of The Order of St. George. He is a life-member of the Clan Douglas Society of North America and served as the Canadian Regent. The Vice Grand Chancellor’s arms were granted by the Canadian Heraldic Authority of the office of the Governor General of Canada in 2010. In 2012 he was the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and in 2017 was awarded the Sovereigns Medal for Volunteerism. He is a Fellow in the Society of Antiquaries Scotland, a member of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada, the Monarchist League of Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion, a Freemason and a Shriner. He is married to Dame Carol Goldman DJ, and has two sons and two grandsons.

His Excellency HCol Dr. The Chevalier Bryan Brulotte, CD, GCJ, continues as the Order’s Vice Grand Chancellor Emeritus.

H.E. The Chevalier Douglas GCJ can be reached at vgc@stjoachimorder.org.

The Coadjutor to the Grand Master

H.E. The Chevalier U. Peter Mueller GCJ, M.A. was born in Switzerland. He has a Master’s degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Saint Gallen – Switzerland. He owned a packaging company in Switzerland for 15 years, selling the business in 2004 to join Partnerinvest Business Brokers in Zurich. He immigrated to Canada in 2011, becoming a Canadian citizen in 2016 while maintaining his roots in Switzerland.

Chevalier Mueller is member of the Swiss Canadian Chamber of Commerce and an active Angel investor. In addition to his many philanthropic projects, he is a Director on the Board of Kinsip Fine House of Spirits, a founding member of the European Bourbon and Rye Association, and an enthusiastic Bourbon and Art collector. He is an active helicopter pilot and an Honorary Colonel and Aide de Camp to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

As Coadjutor, Chevalier Mueller assists the Grand Master, and in the event that the position of Grand Master becomes vacant works together with the Grand Prior and Grand Chapter to arrange for the nomination and election of a new Grand Master by the Chapter General. He is also a director of the Canadian Commandery’s registered charity, The Noble Hearts Foundation.

He may be reached at mueller@stjoachimorder.org.

The Grand Military Knight

The Chevalier James Dickaty KJ, FdEng, GCGI, CEng, FIMechE, CMgr, FCMI, is a European Engineer, Chartered Engineer, Chartered Manager, and works in the UK Nuclear Industry as a senior engineering manager, commissioning new nuclear facilities.  He is a retired Chief Petty Officer of the Royal Navy where he was a UK Royal Navy Submarine Veteran of 15 years’ service. His charitable volunteer roles include: President of the Seascale Royal British Legion; working as a STEM Ambassador in local schools teaching children engineering; volunteering with the City of London’s Worshipful Company of Engineers; sitting on the UK Commandery’s St. Joachim Trust board; and with his wife Dame Perdita Dickaty DJ founded and co-chairs the Cumbria Ukraine Refugee Sponsor & Supporter Network (CURSSON), where they facilitate support to Ukrainian refugees and their sponsors, as well as personally hosting 4 different Ukrainian families in their own home since May 2022.

He is a Fellow of both the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Chartered Management Institute, is a Freeman and Liveryman of the City of London, an Honorary Colonel and Aid-de-Camp to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and an armiger in his own right from the English College of Arms. In 2012 he was the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and UK Armed Forces Veteran Badge.

As Grand Military Knight, the Chevalier Dickaty is responsible for the maintenance of the honourable standards of all members of the Order regardless of rank, including conduct, proper wear of insignia and general good order.

Capt. The Chevalier Steven Dieter KCJ, continues as the Order’s Grand Military Knight Emeritus.

Chevalier Dickaty may be reached at gmk@stjoachimorder.org.

The Grand Almoner

Chevalier John Fisher KJ, MBA, is President & CEO of T. Harris Environmental Management Inc., which  is a diverse group of engineering, scientific, technical and industrial hygiene professionals providing consulting services to a variety of industrial, commercial, and institutional clients since 1979.

Chevalier Fisher has served as Chair for the past two years of The Mary Centre, an organization that was formed to provide support to adults with developmental disabilities, and has served on its board for five years. In 1982 he was diagnosed with neurological disorder known as a mitochondrial myopathy, and has become active with an advocacy group called MitoCanada where he helps and advocates for others who are affected by this disorder. Chevalier Fisher is completing his second term on the board of the National Club in Toronto where he has chaired, co-chaired and sat on various committees. He has been a generous supporter of various charities, including the Order’s Noble Hearts Foundation.

As Grand Almoner Chevalier Fisher oversees the Order’s charitable fundraising efforts internationally on behalf of Grand Chapter, as well as identifies and coordinates the recipients of the Order’s charitable donations.

Chevalier Fisher takes over the position of Grand Almoner from H.E. The Chevalier Peter Mueller GCJ, who remains the Order’s Coadjutor.

Chevalier Fisher may be reached at almoner@stjoachimorder.org.

The Grand Herald

Captain the Chevalier Jason Burgoin KCJ, CD, FSA Scot. is the current president of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada and was honoured with the Society’s Meritorious Service Award (MSA) in 2019. With a long and passionate interested in heraldry Captain the Chevalier Burgoin KCJ was elected 1st Vice President in 2019. In 2023, he was elected as the 27th President of the Society. He is also editor of Hogtown Heraldry, the newsletter of the Toronto Branch, and is international correspondent for the Society.

He was sworn into the Canadian Armed Forces in 2001 and currently holds the rank of Captain. During his career he has had the opportunity to work in numerous roles in Windsor Ontario, ASU London, CFB Trenton, and is presently posted at CFB Borden at the Regional Cadet Support Unit (Central) as the J5 Plans Officer (CTC). Captain the Chevalier Burgoin KCJ also serves as Commander of the Order’s Gore-Niagara Sub-Commandery (Canada). Captain the Chevalier Jason Burgoin has worked with St. John Ambulance in a number of roles at the Branch level for the past decided and sits as the Honours & Awards Chair for the Hamilton Branch.

The Grand Herald of the Order is responsible for confirming entitlement to arms, titles and honours and advising Grand Chapter.

Our previous Grand Herald, Capt. The Chevalier David Birtwistle KCJ, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW, KCTJ is Grand Herald Emeritus.

The Chevalier Burgoin may be reached at .

The Grand Registrar

The Chevalier Frank A. Blazich, Jr., KCJ, PhD, is a curator of Military History at the National Museum of American History Smithsonian Institution. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and the National Curator and National Historian Emeritus of the Civil Air Patrol with the rank of colonel and recipient of five Distinguished Service Awards. He serves as the Secretary of the Air Force Historical Foundation and is on the board of directors for the National Museum of Civil Defense.

Chevalier Blazich is currently also a Knight Grand Officer in the Order of Prince Danilo I of the House of Petrović-Njegoš. He is the author of numerous books and articles and received the 2022 Smithsonian Secretary’s Research Prize awarded for recognizing and promoting excellence in scholarship across the institution.

Grand Chapter thanks Captain the Chevalier Arjeh van der Sluis KCJ, for his service as the Grand Registrar of the Order since 2009, and now becomes the Order’s Grand Registrar Emeritus.

The Chevalier Blazich can be reached at registrar@stjoachimorder.org.

The Grand Registrar is assisted by Assistant Registrar the Chevalier Edward Denbeigh KJ, who works for the Government of Canada and has served in the Canadian Forces Reserves. The Chevalier Denbeigh can reached at gr2@stjoachimorder.org.

The Grand Capitular

The Chevalier Anthony McVeigh KJ, MA, ACSI is a Senior Director at Shawbrook Bank, City of London, with an extensive background in banking and credit risk management. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and has spent his entire career in the City. Amongst his academic credentials, Chevalier McVeigh holds a Postgraduate Diploma with distinction from Oxford University and has written two prize-winning research theses on business topics.

His charitable endeavours include supporting Pembroke College, Oxford, funding student scholarships and he also raises donations for a range of charities by competing in sponsored endurance events. He received his Freedom of the City of London in 2008 and is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers where he is active in their educational and mentoring initiatives. In the 1990s, Chevalier McVeigh served as a reservist in the British Army for five years with the Royal Signals.

The Chevalier McVeigh can be reached at capitular@stjoachimorder.org.

 

The Grand Secretary

Dame Anne Mitchell DJ is Grand Secretary of the Order and personal Assistant to the Grand Master.

As The Order’s Grand Secretary Dame Mitchell is responsible for communications within Grand Chapter and is frequently the first point of contact for members and prospective members of The Order. She forwards petitions and requests for advancement to the Grand Chancellor for consideration and also responds to members’ questions and requests for regalia.

Dame Mitchell is the recipient of the Grand Master’s Medal for her service to The Order and Grand Master, and in 2012 was the second recipient awarded the Naval Cross of Honour of the Lazarus Union Corps Saint Lazare International (CSLI). Dame Mitchell lives in Toronto.

Dame Mitchell DJ can be reached at mitchell@stjoachimorder.org.