2013 Thomas W. Melham Humanitarian Award Recipient

Illustrious Sir Harry Sterling, Past Potentate 2003

Syrian Shrine Temple - Cincinnati, Ohio

Born on May 3, 1942 in Cincinnati, Ohio

Graduated from Woodward High School in 1960

Graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1965. Received BBA degree with a major in Marketing

Business: 1965-1966 Worked in New York City as a Purchasing Agent for Squibb Pharmaceuticals. 1966 Completed Alexander Hamilton Institute graduate course in Business Management.

Military: 1966 Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Attended Officers Candidates School

Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1967 and assigned duty as a Hawk missile officer

at Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona

Released from active duty in 1969 and discharged from USMC with a rank of Captain

Business: 1969 Hired by IBM as a Marketing Representative in Cincinnati, Ohio. 1971 Left IBM and founded H. Sterling & Associates, Inc., Manufacturers Rep Agency. Still active as President and CEO of this agency.

Church: During the intermediate years was a Deacon at Mt. Washington Baptist Church, and later a Vestryman at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church.

Family: 1992 Was lucky enough to marry Deborah W. Sterling. Between us we have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. We celebrated our 20th anniversary last year. 1994 Started my Masonic career, and as they say, “The rest is history”.

Fraternal:

Member Lodge:

1994- elevated to Master Mason at Edenton Lodge # 332

1995- Joined Montgomery Lodge #94

Member Scottish Rite

1994- Joined Valley of Cincinnati

Member Council, Chapter, Consistory - York Rite:

2008- Member Milford Chapter No. 35 - Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons

2008- Member John H. Campbell Council No. 147 - Grand Council Royal & Select Masons of Ohio

2009- Member Cincinnati Commandery No.3 - Knights Templar

Member Shrine:

1995 Joined Syrian Shriners

1996- Elected Third Lt. Cmdr of Legion of Honor

1997- Appointed Director of Legion of Honor

1998- Elected to Syrian Divan as Oriental Guide

2003- Elected Potentate of Syrian Shriners

2004- Elected 4th V.P. of Great Lakes Shrine Association

2007- Elected Treasurer of Syrian Shriners Paint Horse Patrol

Member Shrine Association:

2008- Elected President of Great Lakes Shrine Association, Established relationships with City of Lebanon, Great Wolf Lodge, Kings Island Amusement Park.

2012- Assisted organization of GLSA Convention in Warren County, OH, Coordinated with Lebanon officials setting up parade

2013- Assisting in coordinating with Lebanon officials on parade.