Past Potentates

David joined Jaffa Shriners in Spring of 2010. He is a member of the Jaffa Calliope Clown Unit, the Cove Shrine Club, and Jaffa’s newest club, the Mountain City Shiners. He is a Past President of the Jaffa Young Nobles Club. David has served on many of the committees at Jaffa and is a past Chairman of the Membership Committee. In 2018 David was elected to the Jaffa
Shriners Board of Directors.

As well as being a proud Jaffa Shriner, David is involved in many other areas of Masonry. He is a Past Master of Woodbury Lodge #539 in Roaring Spring. He is a member in the York Rite bodies, as well as the Scottish Rite bodies where he serves in the Consistory line.

A lifelong resident of Blair County, David currently resides in Duncansville, PA with his wife Traci and daughter Alexis. They attend the historic St. Patrick’s church in Newry.

David can be reached at: davidedodsonjr@gmail.com

Jim was born in Spangler, Pa and moved to Altoona in 1960. Jim is currently employed at Ward Transport and Logistics for 31 years as the Telecommunications Manager.

Jim is a member of Logan Lodge #490 F. &A.M. in Altoona. He is a member of the Jaffa Drum and Bugle Corp. Jim was a member of the Jaffa Oriental Band where he held many offices. In 2012, Jim also served as President of the Mid Atlantic Shrine Oriental Band Association. He has been on the Appointed Divan for the past 6 years and was elected as an Imperial Representative in 2016 and 2017. He also is Controller for the Jaffa Shrine Circus Concessions.

Jim is married to the former Deborah Rutherford. They have one son, Christopher, who is also a member of Jaffa Shrine.

Rob was born 1953 in Altoona, Pa. Rob advanced through the Altoona Area School system, graduating in 1971.

In 1972 Rob joined the Army Reserves, 298th Lt. Maintenance Division, 99th Rcom Located in Altoona, Pa. Rob performed basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and later reported to Fort Belvoir, Virginia where he was trained in working with special electronic devices.

Rob worked as a Supervisor for Penn Central Railroad from 1974 to 1976, Conrail from 1976 to 1999, and Norfolk Southern Railroad from 1999 until he retired in January of 2014.

Rob was raised as a member of Portage Lodge No. 220 located in Hollidaysburg, Pa. in October of 1982 and has been a member of Jaffa Shrine since November of 1988. Rob is a Past Captain of the Patrol Director’s Staff and actively serves on the committees for the Sport Show, Gun Raffle, and the Circus.

Rob was elected to the Divan in 2016, and elected Imperial Representative for the years 2016 and 2017.

Rob is a member of Tall Cedars in Chief Logan Forest #131 located in Hollidaysburg, Pa. He is also a Master Artisan in the Order of Quetzalcoatl, Colotic Misztli #91 and a member of the Royal Order of Jesters Altoona Court No. 70.

Rob resides in Altoona, Pa with his Lady Teri, together they have 5 children, and 6 grandchildren.

Illustrious Sir Jordan Settle was raised a Master Mason in Mountain Lodge No. 281 in Altoona, Pennsylvania and served in a number of chairs including Worshipful Master in 2015.

In 2010, he became a member of Jaffa Shriners in Altoona, Pennsylvania and served as the temple’s Potentate in 2019.  Since becoming a Shriner, Jordan has been an active member of his unit, Jaffa Mounted Patrol, as well as various Jaffa committees.  Jordan is a life member of the Jaffa Legion of Honor and a proud ‘Shrine Legacy’ with his father Bill, brother Jacob, and brother-in-laws David and Evan. He is also an Artisan in the Order of Quetzalcoatl, Colotic Misztli No. 91 and an officer in the Royal Order of Jesters, Altoona Court No. 70.

Jordan is a life member in Mountain Royal Arch Chapter No. 189, Mountain Council No. 9, and Mountain Commandery No. 10 also located in Altoona, PA. He is a Past President and member-in-perpetuity of National Sojourners in Mountain Chapter No. 564 and a member of the Heroes of ’76.  He is also a member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Chief Logan Forest No. 131.

Jordan is a 32° member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Altoona, N.M.J. and serves as an officer in the Altoona Lodge of Perfection, 4°-14° and the Knights of St. Andrew – Altoona Clan. He participates as a cast member in the 22°, 29° and the 31°.

In his life outside of Freemasonry, Jordan is a shareholder and Executive Vice President of Defenshield, Inc., a company specializing in the design and manufacturing of bullet, blast, and fragmentation protection systems. Prior to joining Defenshield, Jordan served as a Captain in the United States Army on active duty. He deployed three times; once in a combat-support role in the Republic of Korea and twice in support of combat operations in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom VII and IX. His military awards include the Bronze Star as well as a commendation from the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Jordan is a member of the Board of Directors of AMED Medical Emergency Department Authority where he serves as it’s Treasurer, Vice Chairmen of Sweat For Vets, Inc. and a member of the Board of Directors for Penn-Mont Academy, a private Montessori school located in Duncansville, PA where he serves on their finance committee.

Jordan resides in Altoona, Pennsylvania with his Lady Tiffany and their two daughters Hayden and Logan. When not at soccer, dance or theater practice they enjoy spending time with family and friends.

Jordan can be reached at jordan.w.settle@gmail.com.

Robert, a member of Logan Lodge 490 F& A.M. He joined Jaffa Shrine in 2001 as a member of the concert band, serving in numerous offices. Elected as Assistant Rabban in 2016, he serves on several committees to assist the Potentate.

Robert is a member of the Legion of Honor, Order of Quetzaicoatl – Coloric Miztil #91 and Royal Order of Jesters Court No. 070.
Robert is retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He continues to serve our military as First Sergeant of the PA Army National Guard 28th Division Band and served four years in the United States Air Force.

Paul Zell was born and raised in Lock Haven, PA. After graduating from Penn College Paul and his Lady Judy married in 1973.They have four children; Kim, Dan, Angie, and Shawn; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Paul received all three of his blue lodge degrees at Le Belle Valley Lodge no. 232 in Jersey Shore, PA in 1993. He served as their Masonic Education Chairman from 1998-2007, President MTA from 2002-2008 and Worshipful

Master in 1998 & 2007. He is a member of Lafayette RAC No. 163 Chapter in Lock Haven, PA and has served as Treasurer in 2010 and 2011 and as Most Excellent High Priest three times (2003, 2004, and 2008). He is also a member of Nittany Council No. 57 in State College, PA and Northeastern York Rite college No. 102 in Towanda, PA. Paul is also a long time member of the Ancient Accept Scottish Rite (AASR) Valley of Williamsport and recently became a member of the Valley of Altoona.

Paul became a Jaffa Shriner in 2004 and has been a member of the Clinton County Shrine Club since then. He has been a member of the Jaffa Motor Corps since 2005 and a Jaffa Roadrunner since 2008. He has served as President of the Clinton County Shrine Club (2009) and President of the Motor Corps (2010). He was elected High Priest and Prophet of the Jaffa Shrine in January 2012.

Illustrious Sir Vernon A. Carey has been a member of Jaffa Shrine since 2002. He was Assistant Membership Chairman in 2007, became a member of the Elected Divan in 2011 and proudly served as Potentate in 2014. He is a member of the Lil’ Vettes Unit where he has held the offices of President and Secretary/Treasurer. He is a member of LaMonte Lodge #568 and served as Worshipful Master in 2006 and 2007. He is also a member of Kedron Commandery #18, Olivet Council #13, Urania Royal Arch #196 and AASR Valley of Altoona. In 2015, he was elected as a Representative of Shriners International and is also the Transportation Coordinator for the Roadrunners. He resides with his wife, Billie, in Derry Township. He retired from Peoples Natural Gas Company with 34 years of service. He has three daughters and 6 grandchildren (5 girls and 1 boy).

Illustrious Sir H. Foster Snivley was born in Altoona, PA on March 1, 1941 and became a member of the world’s oldest fraternity in Lodge No. 61 in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

A widower, Illustrious Sir Snively was married to his beloved wife Bonda for more than 50 years and honored with two children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He retired after many years of dedicated service with the Pennsylvania Power & Light Co.

He was Initiated on December 8, 1973 as a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He became “Chaps the Clown” in the Calliope Clown Unit, where he loved performing and working at the annual Jaffa Shrine Circus. He continued his Shrine career, serving on the Divan in various offices, finally being elected as the 109th Illustrious Potentate of the Jaffa Shrine Temple No. 91, A.A.O.N.M.S. in 2012.

He joined the Valley of Altoona, A.A.S.R., N.M.J., and became a 32° Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret on November 1, 1973. Years later, he was appointed to the Altoona Lodge of Perfection, 14° officer’s line, serving as its 63rd Thrice Potent Master, for 2015 – 2016. He was nominated by the Illustrious Brothers of the Valley to receive the 33° and approved by the Supreme Council, which he received in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 1, 2015.

He is a member of the Ancient York Rite bodies in Altoona, and became a RAM° in Mountain Chapter No. 189 – January 23, 2010; a Companion of Mountain Council No. 9 – RM° – February 3, 2011; SM° – April 4, 2011; and SEM° – March 23, 2013; and a Sir Knight in Mountain Commandery No. 10, K.T. – April 2, 2010.

Illustrious Sir Dale R. Woomer is the son of the late Illustrious Sir Dale W. Woomer and late Norma Woomer and the husband of Karen M. Woomer. Together they live in Hollidaysburg, PA.

Bob’s educational and employment background include Altoona Area High School in 1965, Indiana University of PA with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business in 1970, University of Pittsburgh with a certification in Marketing in 1972, and a Master’s Degree in Industrial Education from Penn State University in 1977. He is retired from the Public School System having completed his service in the Johnstown, Altoona, and State College School Districts. He also owned and operated five local car washes in the Blair County area for a period of 25 years. Bob worked for D & S manufacturing (car wash manufacturer) as the East Coast Sales Manager, Labor Ready Altoona Manager, and Variety Attractions of Zanesville, OH as Show/Fair Promotions Coordinator.

Bob has also been active in community activities since returning to Blair County in 1972. He served as Chairman of the former Keystone Country Festival for a period of 6 years, chaired several Altoona Chamber of Commerce Committees; Retail Loss Committee, Travel & Tourism Board of Directors, and served on the Altoona Housing Authority Board of Directors, under former Chairman Charles Catterall.

Illustrious Sir Woomer’s Shrine accomplishments include; President of the Jaffa Cycle Corps in 1980, Chairman/Founded of the Jaffa Sports Show 1982 thru 1990, Jaffa Appointed Divan 1982 thru 1988, SAMSAR Awardee – Diamond Cluster Award 1985, Awarded Jaffa Temple Life Membership in 1985 (sponsored 13 new Nobles in one year), PA Grand Lodge – Friend to Friend Membership Award in 1988, Jaffa Elected Divan – Oriental Guide – 1989, Potentate in 1993 (304 new Nobles, largest membership gain in 50 years), President of Cabiri Chapter 106 – Past Potentate’s Association in 1996, President of Mid Atlantic Shrine Association (MASA) in 2000,recognized as having sponsored highest number of new nobles into Jaffa membership as of that date in 2003 at the Jaffa’s 100 year anniversary, Director of Altoona Court No. 70, Royal Order of Jesters in 2007, and Emcee of Mid Atlantic Shrine Association Parade from 2001 to present.

Bob is also a member of Juniata Lodge No. 282 in Hollidaysburg, PA; 32° Scottish Rite Freemason in the Valley of Altoona in which he is a Meritorious Service Award (MSA) recipient; York Rite bodies, Chapter and Commandery; Jaffa Cycle Corps; Jaffa Antique Car Club; Altoona Court No. 70, Royal Order of Jesters; and Cabiri Chapter No. 106 at the Jaffa Shrine Center.

Illustrious Sir Dale W. Woomer was born in Altoona, PA, son of the late George W. and Myrtle B (Kennedy) Woomer. He married Norma L. Kauffman on January 18, 1947 in Altoona and together had two sons; Dale R. (Karen) of Hollidaysburg, PA and William L. (Lonnie) of Huntingdon, PA. Dale was a combat Veteran, having served in WWII in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater where he received a Purple Heart.

He received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and PHD in education administration from Penn State University and retired as a senior full professor at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Business.

Dale was a members and Past Master of Logan Lodge No. 490 F&AM, Valley of Altoona Consistory, York Rite bodies of Chapter, Council, and Commandery.

As a Shriner, Dale was a member of the String Band, which he organized in 1957 and served as Past Director. He was a driver for the Jaffa Roadrunners and was influential in setting up the 32 Masonic Learning Center for dyslexic children, sponsored by Scottish Rite.

Dale was a member of the Royal Order of Jesters Court 117 in Cumberland, MD and was an honorary member of Court 70 in Altoona, PA. Illustrious Sir Dale Woomer became Potentate of Jaffa Shrine in 1983 and his untiring efforts, sound judgement, and sage counsel were invaluable resources to all of the Nobles of Jaffa Shrine.

On Tuesday, January 8, 2013 the Supreme Architect of the universe sent the black camel, which carried our esteemed brother to his eternal reward. That great architect in his infinite wisdom, called our exalted Masonic brother, devoted husband, father and eminent Blair County citizen from his earthly labors to rest in that home on high, not made by hands, eternal in the heavens.