Michael A. Koncewicz Received the 33° in Providence Rhode Island

Brother Michael Koncewicz, Treasurer, Valley of Erie Scottish Rite, and an active MAson was nominated to receive the 33° at the Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, in Providence, RI in August 2008.

Brother Koncewicz has served the Valley of Erie Scottish Rite as Sovereign Prince and Commander-in-Chief and is presently Treasurer for the Valley. He has served many capacities in the Valley - he has been active in the reunionstaking part in several degrees, has been chairman of the Valley's golf outing for several years and is Co-Chair for the Family Life Program. Brother Koncewicz worked in the Scottish Rite Building Fundraising Committee and then the Establishment Committee for the Valley's Learning Center. He secured several grants for the LEarning Center and has served as the Learning Center's Chairman, Board of Govenors since its conception. Bro. Koncewicz was awarded the Meritorious Service Award on July 13, 2002.

Bro. Koncewicz also has been active in the York Rite Bodies. He served as Eminent Commander of Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 30 in 1994, was treasurer of the Commandery from 1995 - 2005 and has been a Trustee since 2005. He was the local chairman of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation from 1990 - 2007. He has also served as the State Chairman of the Eye Foundation in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He is a member of the Temple Royal Arch Chapter 215 and was elected Most Excellent High Priest for 2008. He is also a member of Jerusalem Council # 33 and is scheduled to become Thrice Ill. Master in 2008. Bro. Koncewicz is also a member of the York Rite College; the Allied Masonic Degrees and the Soveriegn Order of Knights Preceptor. Bro. Koncewiczis a member of St. John's Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine in which he served as Puissant Sovereign in 2006, has been Treasurer (prior to that) and is now the Recorder. HE is a member of the Chapter of St. Thomas of Acon and the Rotal Order of Scotland. He is a member of the Erepa Grotto and the Zem Zem Shrine. Bro. Koncewiczia also a memver of the Shiloh Chapter # 153 and currently serves as Associate Patron.

Prior to his retirement in 2005, Bro. Koncewicz was employed by the Commonwealth of PA. He served as the District MAnager/Regional Administrator of the Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services, Department of Labor and Industry. Koncewicz's initial employment was as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor being very involved in the efforts to bring services to people with disabilities. Koncewicz was instrumental in founding the "Lift" Program to provide affordable transportation to people with disabilities. This program is used as a model through-out the country. Koncewicz was called to provide testimony before congress about the establishment of para-transit services for people with disabilities. He was also the founder of the Radio Reading Service for Blind Persons in this region operated by Vision and Bindness Resources.

Brother Koncewicz is a graduate of Gannon University, receiving his BA in Psychology. Having concentrated in mathethmatics, he taught 8th grade at St. George's Elementary School prior to his employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He has taken graduate courses at the University of Virginia and Case Western Reserve University completing his Master's Degree program.

Brother Koncewicz has ben married to Belle since 1969 and they have two children - Sarah and Ben. Belle is a graduate of Mercyhurst College and worked for 35 years as a Librarian for the Erie County Library System. Their daughter, Sarah, is married to John Troshoske - they have two children, Andrew and Leah. Their son Ben (a member of the Valley) and his wife Tracy Graziano have a son, Chayce.

In his spare time, Brother Koncewicz enjoys golf, reading, helping his children and volunteering at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. Both he and his wife Belle volunter at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and the First Book Program. They are also active members of the First United Methodist Church and serve on the Mission Committee and Church Council.