2021 - 2022

Charlie Lugo III

Knight of the Year for Fraternal Year 2021-2022 is Trustee and PGK Charlie Lugo. This award, named for Charter Grand Knight Ray Vasinda after his passing on April 19th of this year, is quite fitting for this Past Grand Knight, who has been the example of leadership throughout the year with his active involvement in all of the Council’s activities for membership development and fund-raising. As testament to this trait, he is a constant fixture at the bimonthly Exemplifications for new Knights. This past year, considered a breakout from the COVID lockdowns, has been one of record-setting results for attendance at planned functions and fund-raising thereof. He served as Chairman of the Parish Bingo in November, which was the first major family activity sponsored by the Council after the COVID lockdown period. Charlie planned, organized and directed the efforts of many Knights, including some of their wives, to serve 212 BINGO players. The attendance and proceeds received thereof exceeded all expectations. This success has spurred interest in hosting another BINGO event later this year. Charlie played major roles in multiple Council functions and is considered to be the righthand man for other Knights managing family events like the Roughriders Baseball games, Annual Golf Tournament, Annual Picnic, Fish Fry and Steak Night. This rock-solid Knight as been highly reliable in his role of Trustee when assisting oversight of finances earned from the charitable events of the Annual Tootsie Roll Drive, Tamale Sales and participation in the Council Audits. Congratulations to Charlie Lugo for being named Knight of the Year.

2020 - 2021

Dan Zechmeister

The 2021 Knight of the Year is Dan Zechmeister. Besides serving as the Chair of the Membership Committee where he interviews prospective
members and sets up the exemplifications for
various degrees, Dan is active in almost all
volunteer positions to help the Council whenever and wherever needed. Congratulations, Dan!

2015 - 2016

Jim Goode

Council 7850’s Knight of the Year is Jim Goode. Jim is our council’s Deputy Grand Knight and Program Director. In both of these roles Jim goes above and beyond in supporting the council. Jim also serves as our council’s webmaster and generates the council’s newsletter. Jim is one of those knights who are always there supporting the Knights of Columbus. From his role as a council officer to working at an event as a volunteer Jim is a living example of how knights serve. Jim’s dedication and service to the council is only part of why Jim was chosen as Knight of the Year. Jim is active in the parish and also serves the fourth degree assembly. Thanks Jim for your dedication and service. Congratulations on being Council 7850’s Knight of the Year. Pictured here with his wife Carol.

2014 - 2015

Tom Clarke, Jr.

Tom has the distinction of being the longest serving PGK on record for our Council. This past year, while serving as a trustee, he chaired the parish Fall Festival event. This event , more than any other event we have ever done, brought the Council more positive attention from the parish and surrounding community than we have ever had before. The people of St. Elizabeth were starved for a parish event that the entire family could participate in SAFELY. Thanks to Tom's vision, we made it happen. This event and Mardi Gras are the crown jewels of Seton family activity. If that's not enough, Tom has a new pastime / hobby / money maker that he recently started. BBQ!! He has a trailer mounted smoker that he uses to cook in competitions around the state. He fed the golfers at our 2015 Charity Golf Tournament pulled pork sandwiches. Everyone loved it. He did the same for our RCIA dinner, same result. So this has opened a whole new door of possibilities for our council. The next time you see Tom Clarke, thank him for all he has done, and continues to do, for our council. Thank you Tom, and God Bless!!

2013 - 2014

Ron Engler

Ron is our Pro-Life Director. This year the Pro-Life movement has made giant strides in over-coming the pro choice culture of death. Ron has been, and will continue to be, on the front line of that battle. He serves on the golf tournament committee, he volunteered to research the wireless credit card application for our sales that we hold. He takes part in almost everything we do. This year he did all that and dealt with personal loss. His contributions to our council, the men’s club, and CPLC are huge. He over-sees the baby bank program at our parish. This year baby banks raised over 11,000 dollars for the charities that deal with pro-life. He is a Knight's Knight and an example to us all. Thank you Ron for all you do for us and our parish community. From the Officers, Directors and Members of Council 7850.