Gary J. Bergenske of Orlando, Fla., is currently serving his third year as a member of the Boards of Directors for Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children. Bergenske was re-elected during the Shriners’ 2009 annual international convention – or Imperial Council Session – held in San Antonio July 5-9. He is serving as Imperial Marshal, part of the 13-member body that helps govern the Shriners fraternity.

Bergenske is a Past Potentate of Bahia Shriners. Bergenske was raised a Master Mason in 1994 at Eola Lodge #207 in Orlando, Fla. He is also a member of the Orlando Scottish Rite. Bergenske has held appointed positions at Bahia Shriners, including First and Second Ceremonial Masters, and Colonel of Units. While serving as Membership chairman in 1999, he created and developed the Mentor Program to get new members involved. This program is now used by Shriners throughout North America.

Bergenske is a charter member, charter officer and past president of the Bahia Computer Club, and he is past president of both the Bahia Roadrunners and the Bahia Antique Car Club. In 1999, Bergenske started “Morning Motivations,” an e-mail blast sent several times a week to improve communications with Bahia nobility.

For five years, Bergenske was a member of the Imperial Membership Executive Committee. He came up with the idea of a Shriners mascot to promote the fraternity and to attract younger generations. This resulted in the birth of Fez Head Fred. Bergenske is a charter member of the Temple Review and Counsel (T.R.A.C.) program. Over a four-year period, Bergenske traveled more than 32,000 miles visiting Shriners temples across the United States to assist them with membership and leadership.

In 1985, Bergenske purchased J & J Metro Moving and Storage, a company he has owned and operated for the past 22 years. In 2007, he authored his first book, “Campaign for a Better Life,” which contains 20 tools to enrich your life and everyone around you.

Bergenske and his wife, Anne, have six children – Carrie, Lisa, Jason, Jami, David and Jared – and are often referred to as the “Bergy Bunch.” They have four grandsons.