SK James B. Steele
R.E. DEPARTMENT COMMANDER
MID-ATLANTIC DEPARTMENT, DE, DC, MD, NC, VA, and WV
Sir Knight James B. Steele was born on September 22, 1960, in Hagerstown, Maryland, located on the Mason-Dixon line. His mother always told him he could go either way. He is the son of the late Roy Sanford Steele and Lillian Katherine Biggs Steele. He moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1968, where he spent most of his life, attending New Hanover High School. James began his career in. the electrical business in 1978 and became an electrical contractor in 1983. Currently, he is the president of Steele Electrical Contractors, LLC, located in Castle Hayne, North Carolina, and licensed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. He also owns and operates an organic egg farm.
James and his wife, Shirley, were married on December 21, 1996. They have four children and one grandson. The Steele Family has attended Wesleyan Chapel Methodist Church since 1989, where James serves as an usher and chair on various committees.
James began his Masonic career in 2000; he was initiated, passed, and raised in Wilmington Lodge 319. He served as commander of Plantagenet Commandery 1 in 2007, District 2 district commander in 2008, and as grand commander of North Carolina in 2016-2017. He was designated a Knight Commander of the Temple in 2014 and currently is the scribe of SENCiand Council 42 Knight Masons. He is a member of several other Masonic bodies and a member of the Grand Masters Club. James was instrumental in establishing the North Carolina Drill Team in 2011. In 2012, the North Carolina Drill Team participated for the first time on record at the 65th Triennial in Alexandria, Virginia, and again in 2015 in Buffalo, New York. In 2009, James started the annual Wilmington York Rite Oyster Roast Fundraiser and has served as chair for the last ten years.
James’ hobbies and interests include raising wild waterfowl, antique cars, model trains, and petroleum memorabilia. He is a life member of the International Wild Waterfowl Society and the American Pheasant and Waterfowl Society. He is also a member of the Antique Automotive Club of America and the Model T Ford Club International, Inc. In his spare time, James enjoys collecting gemstones and rocks and photography.
S.K. James was appointed & installed as the department commander for the Mid-Atlantic Department at the 68th Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America on August 18, 2021.