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.

The Chevalier Prince Basztyk was appointed as Honorary Consul for Canada for the Republic of Suriname in 1996 and continues to serve in that position.

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 is a widower with one grown daughter and lives in Toronto, Canada. He may be reached at gc@stjoachimorder.org.

The Vice Grand Chancellor

His Excellency HCol Dr. The Chevalier Bryan Brulotte, CD,  KCJ is a fluently bilingual executive who has worked at the national level in the private and public sectors for over 35 years. Dr. The Chevalier Bryan Brulotte, CD is Honorary Colonel of the Governor General’s Foot Guards and served as Aide- de-Camp in residence at Rideau Hall to the Governor General of Canada. His long military service includes being an infantry officer in the Royal 22nd Regiment (Vandoos), posted as a platoon commander to the 1st Batallion R22eR in Germany, and Officer Commanding Reconnaissance Platoon where he served in Cyprus on peacekeeping operations.

He worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Federal Minister of Public Works Government Services Canada and In 2013, he was appointed as the Honorary Colonel for the GGFG by Queen Elizabeth II, and enjoyed a private audience with Her Majesty. He is founder of MaxSys Staffing, the largest Canadian owned staffing firm. Through MaxSys, Chevalier Brulotte pursues numerous philanthropic efforts directed at the both the military and wider community, including veteran advocacy, supporting homeless veterans and funding academic bursaries. He is past president of the Royal Canadian Military Institute. He is a graduate of the College Militaire Royale de St-Jean with a BA in Military & Strategic Studies. As well, he holds an MA in History, an MBA, and a Doctorate in business administration. Bryan is married to Kaitlin and has two teenage daughters.

His Excellency HCol Dr. The Chevalier Bryan Brulotte, CD,  KCJ succeeded His Excellency The Chevalier Colin Lee GCJ as Vice Grand Chancellor in 2021. His Excellency The Chevalier Colin Lee GCJ continues as the Order’s Vice Grand Chancellor Emeritus.

His Excellency HCol Dr. The Chevalier Bryan Brulotte, CD,  KCJ can be reached at brulotte@stjoachimorder.org.

The Coadjutor & Grand Almoner

H.E. The Chevalier U. Peter Mueller GCJ 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. As Grand Almoner Chevalier Mueller 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. He is also a director of the Canadian Commandery’s registered charity, The Noble Hearts Foundation.

He may be reached at almoner@stjoachimorder.org.

The Grand Capitular

H.E. The Chevalier Dr. David A. Douglas PhD GCJ FSAScot serves as The Order’s Grand Capitular, having previously served as the Commander of Canada. He also holds the position of Commander of Canada Emeritus.

The Grand Capitular is responsible for representing all Knights Grand Cross members of the Order at Grand Chapter meetings and for organizing the charitable efforts of those Knights Grand Cross who are Knights Errant with no Commandery responsibilities. The Grand Capitular will also assist in organizing and attending events for the Order, serving as an ambassador at large both inside and outside our Order.

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 Grand Capitular’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.

H.E. The Chevalier Douglas GCJ can be reached at jaymat5@rogers.com.

 

H.E. The Chevalier Douglas GCJ can be reached at jaymat5@rogers.com.

The Grand Military Knight

Captain the Chevalier  Steven Dieter CD MA FRSA KCJ is an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. After serving in the Cadet Instructor Cadre as an Air Force Officer, as Adjutant of the Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment (a Canadian Army Reserve Infantry Regiment), he currently serves in the Regular Force as a Public Affairs Officer. Captain the Chevalier Dieter has worked at Strategic Joint Staff and Canadian Joint Operations Command in Ottawa, as well as Senior PAO at 8 Wing Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario. He served as the Canadian Armed Forces’ communications lead for the Royal Tours of the Prince of Wales in 2009, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2010. He has deployed domestically on Operation NANOOK (2008) and Operation FORGE (2011); and deployed to Jamaica on Operation JAGUAR (2011). He has served on ceremonial taskings to France and Belgium in 2007 with the PWOR, the Netherlands in 2010 (in support of Veterans Affairs Canada), and Germany in 2014 (to support the interment of remains identified by Casualty Identification).

Captain the Chevalier Dieter holds an Honours B.A. in History from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Bachelor of Education degree from The University of Western Ontario, and a Master of Arts in Military History from Norwich University. He has been presented with the Canadian Forces’ Decoration, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal; and received the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation. He is a Master Mason with Defenders Lodge No. 590, G.R.C.; a Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem; a Knight in the International Knightly Order Valiant of St. George; an Officer of The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus; an Honorary Colonel and Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; a member of the 78th Fraser Highlanders Glengarry Garrison; and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

As Grand Military Knight, Captain the Chevalier Dieter 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.

He may be reached at gmk@stjoachimorder.org.

The Grand Herald

Lieutenant the Chevalier David Birtwistle KCJ, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW, KCTJ is the Grand Herald of the Order, responsible to Grand Chapter for confirming entitlement to arms, titles and honours.

Chevalier Birtwistle was born in England and emigrated to Canada where he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. He attended McMaster university, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He is also a graduate of the Faculties of Social Work at both McMaster University and the University of Toronto. He also attained a master’s degree in social work University of Toronto. Following his master’s degree, Chevalier Birtwistle joined the Hospital for Sick Children’s SCAN (Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect) Program as a clinical social worker. He maintained a private practice and is currently a part time faculty member of Centennial College.

The Grand Herald returned to the Canadian Air Force and was commissioned in the CF Reserves as a Cadet Instructor, retiring recently and remain on as a civilian instructor with 876 RC (Air) CS as Standards Officer and Chief Flying Instructor. He is a licensed private pilot. Chevalier Birtwistle is a member of the 78th Highland Reg’t. (Fraser’s Highlanders) where he currently serves as Captain of the Honourable Guard and Field Units and is a director in York Garrison. He is the recipient of a number of recognition awards for the promotion of citizenship and public service.

The Grand Herald’s arms were granted by the English College of Arms, London, UK, in 1975. Chevalier Birtwistle has been a member of The Heraldry Society (UK) and the Royal Canadian Heraldry Society, where he currently serves as branch director. He has been a member of the Heraldry Society of Scotland, for more than three decades.

He is a long standing member of The Air Force Association of Canada and a member of Armour Heights officers’ Mess, the Royal Canadian Military Institute and Royal Air Force Club, London, UK. He is a Knight Commander of The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, Priory of St. James, Toronto. He is married to Joanne Margaret Avery, DJ, BA, BSW, MSW, who is also an armiger, and has three married children.

The Chevalier Birtwistle may be reached at herald@stjoachimorder.org.

The Grand Registrar

Captain the Chevalier Arjeh van der Sluis KCJ is the Grand Registrar of the Order. Born in The Kingdom of the Netherlands, he immigrated to Canada with his family. Chevalier Arjeh van der Sluis works for the Government of Canada and is an Officer in the Canadian Forces Reserves. He holds a BSc in Biology and has qualifications and certificates for continued education for his employment with both the Canadian Forces Reserves and the Government of Canada.

Captain the Chevalier van der Sluis has been honoured by being appointed to The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem as a Serving Member in recognition of his volunteer service to St. John Ambulance. He has been awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration and he has been invested into the Clan of the Gallant Canadian at the level of Henchman – a Regimental Honour of the Calgary Highlanders of Canada – in recognition of his hard work on Tradition on their behalf and the Canadian Forces in general. In 2007 his family was granted an armorial bearing which is an honour from the Canadian Crown. Chevalier Arjeh van der Sluis was responsible for the process of creating the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal which is an addition to the Canadian Honours system.

He has been honoured by with the highest honour awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, that of a Commission as a Kentucky Colonel. Arjeh’s Commission as a Kentucky Colonel was given by the Governor and the Secretary of State for his work in military/Law Enforcement relations between Canada and the United States of America. The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem invested him as a Companion of their National Order of Merit for the same work rendered. In addition, he is a Knight in the International Knightly Order of St. George. Chevalier van der Sluis has received other awards of recognition and achievement for his work both domestic and international. He is active with The Warriors’ Day Parade Council, which participates at the Canadian National Exhibition, and is a Master Mason with the Grand Lodge of Canada in Ontario. In addition to other charitable events, is actively involved with his family, in matters of his faith and spirituality, and actively pursues the activities of genealogy, heraldry, ceremonial activities and other historical matters.

He is the proud father of two children and lives in the City of Mississauga, Canada. The Chevalier van der Sluis 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 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.