Joe took his First Degree and immediately became an active member of Father Peter Paul Maher Council #6793 in January 1992. After serving on several committees and as Recorder for two years, he was elected Grand Knight in 1997.

As GK, he led the council to the Star Council Award. Since that time, he has served as an appointed member of every Maryland State Council administration including District Warden, State Membership Chairman, District Deputy #1, State Membership Team, State Council Activities Director, State Program Director, State Lecturer, State Church Activities Director, and currently State Roundtable Coordinator.

He was elected to a second term as Grand Knight to reinforce a spirit of focus, training, direction and achievement. Joe and his family have been chosen to receive multiple awards recognizing contributions to the success of the council.

Joe became a Fourth Degree Knight in 2004 with the institution of the Sullivan Brothers Assembly #2861. He was appointed the Charter Admiral and was elected Faithful Navigator in 2008.

As Navigator he introduced several ideas designed to encourage higher levels of participation in assembly activities.
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Joe recognized the significance of a neighboring community’s contribution to the history of the United States of America. Brookeville, Maryland, located within the Assembly territory, was the Capital of the United States on August 24, 1814 when the British forces burned Washington and the Cabinet retreated to this rural community.

Under his leadership, the Assembly, with the input of local and State officials celebrated that day with patriotic readings, a presentation of the Fourth Degree Color Corps Honor Guard, and a proclamation from the Governor of Maryland.

Since joining the Color Corps in 2005 he has participated in numerous events including council installations, wakes, flag foldings, Columbus Day celebrations, flag retirements, Washington Nationals baseball game, high school football games, and dozens of Special Olympic ceremonies.

He was appointed VCCC in 2013 and since has been a select member of the AWD Color Corps Honor Guard at the annual Red Mass, White Mass, ordination Masses, dedications, Papal Mass, numerous events on EWTN. He was also selected as Color Corps Commander of the Year in 2015 and 2016 , served 2 years as District Marshal one year as Provincial Marshal and now as District Master.

Professionally: after 12 years of Catholic education, Joe was the first person in his family to earn a college degree, a BS in Accounting from the University of Maryland. He advanced from a part-time food clerk to manage the buying, pricing, and advertising departments of the Richmond Division of Safeway Stores, Inc.

From there he was hired as Director of Marketing of Canada Dry Potomac Corporation, a multi-million-dollar component of an international beverage corporation.

After a 30- year career in sales and marketing, he founded his own company dedicated to raising funds for non- profit organizations. Using the skills and contacts from his previous assignments, Joe was able to focus on fundraising opportunities at the local, national, and international levels.

His skills generated millions of dollars for many needy organizations. These groups include; Anchor Mental Health, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Potomac Community Resources, Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association, United States Catholic Missionary Association (where he received special recognition for his contribution), Annual Cardinal's Appeal and the Joseph P. Kennedy Institute.

On a personal level, Joe resides in Olney Maryland with his wife Lynn of 50 years. They enjoy their three daughters and wonderful sons-in-law and adorable six grandchildren. He is a former Pastoral Council and Finance Council Chairman.

He is a current member of the Board of Directors of the National Christopher Columbus Association whose mission is to foster a deeper respect, understanding and appreciation for the achievements of our namesake and how his accomplishments produced a positive influence on the history of our nation.

His motto “Our Father, Our Faith, Our Flag” is intended to draw all members and families, present and future, giving emphasis to each element to the best of our combined resources.

“One Nation under God” is more than a phrase. Each member of the Knights, regardless of degree, should be aware that we as Knights” are constantly observed, our faith judged and our Order appreciated”.

Sir Knight John Winfrey, the Immediate Former Master of the Archdiocese of Washington District, was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. Winfrey attended Tulsa Junior College (now Tulsa Community College) where he studied Law and Business management. While attending school, he owned and operated a security company that provided personal, event, and corporate security services. After selling the company, John moved to Little Rock, AR where he met and married his wife Gloria.  Winfrey completed computer programming courses while in Little Rock and began a career with the IRS that would move his family to the Washington, DC area.

After leading a team of engineers, Winfrey left the IRS to take a position with a small consulting firm, eventually joining the Microsoft team where he has been ever since. After years of managing portfolios of very high level customers including the United States House, United States Senate, and the White House, Winfrey now oversees the operation health of government agencies for Microsoft.

Winfrey became a Knight of Columbus in 1998 and immediately took an active role with his Council, St. Hugh Council #10885. John and his family have worked in all aspects of the Council and its mission. For 15 years John and Gloria have provided soup for the annual Lenten Poor Man Supper. During his first tenure as Grand Knight, John instituted a toy drive to benefit the children in the community. John quickly found himself being tapped for higher positions in the Order. He was elected as Faithful Navigator of Archbishop Michael J. Curley 4th Degree Assembly #383, served as District Deputy, was appointed State Activities Chairman, and also worked on the Maryland State Recruiting team. Most recently John was nominated and selected to serve as Master of the 4th Degree for the Archdiocese of Washington District. John has successfully completed the first two years of this appointment and is now beginning his second two-year term.      

John and his wife Gloria have three daughters and two grandchildren.  The Winfreys attend St. Hugh of Grenoble Catholic Church in Greenbelt, MD.