Chris Randall was recruited into the Knights of Columbus by his Dad, Robert Randall, after a period of resistance. They joined the 4th Degree together at St Mary's Church in New Haven, CT, immediately joined the Color Corps, and enjoyed participating in colors together. Chris became the Charter Grand Knight of the St Brigid Council 14216 in West Hartford, his first officers position. After a few years, he was appointed as a District Deputy and simultaneously served as Faithful Navigator of Assembly 3000, of which he is also a Charter member. Chris served in various positions under several District Masters, most notably District Marshal for 8 years. Chris is very proud to be currently serving as District Master of the Founders State. Chris and his wife Lynn have been married for 37 years and have two children and two grandchildren.
Chief of Staff
Sir Knight Michael DeConti
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Staff Advisor
Sir Knight Kevin Donovan, FDM
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District Marshal
Sir Knight Scott Criscuolo, FDD
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District Pilot
Sir Knight Jonathan Santillo, FN
Driven by a deep, intuitive desire to serve others and protect sacred traditions, Jonathan Santillo hopes to bring a soulful, purpose-driven heart to the Connecticut District leadership team. Serving as both District Communications Director and District Pilot, Jonathan manages the district’s modern digital presence, including the official website, the district calendar, and District social media platforms, hoping this can be a vital way to keep our fraternal family connected, protected, and uplifted. Jonathan’s journey with the Knights began on March 20, 2024, at the historic San Salvador Council #1. He has now moved to the Carmel Council #3605, where he currently serves as Deputy Grand Knight and Lecturer. He advanced to the Patriotic 4th Degree on April 13, 2024, and now serves as Faithful Navigator for Commodore John Barry Assembly #97. Hoping to lead with vision and a protective care for his brothers, Jonathan resides in Connecticut. Outside the Knights, Jonathan’s life is defined by a devotion to community. He serves as a Flotilla Staff Officer (FSO-PV) in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, anchoring his deep patriotism. A lifelong seeker of meaning, Jonathan holds an AA in Political Science, a BA and MA in History, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree. Fun Fact: Jonathan was Born in Guatemala.
Membership Staff
Sir Knight Frank Castellano, Director
Frank Castellano joined the Knights in November 2013, and exactly 6 months to the day later, Frank enthusiastically joined the ranks of the 4th Degree. His first role as an Officer was that of Faithful Pilot of Isabella Assembly 122 in Southington. Over the years, Frank has served as Isabella Council 15’s Scholarship Committee Chairman, Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest Chairman, RoundTable Committee Coordinator, Trustee, Deputy Grand Knight, and 2-year Grand Knight, achieving Star Council each year and overseeing the merger of two local councils. In addition to Pilot, Frank also served as Faithful Purser and Faithful Navigator of Assembly 122, achieving Star Assembly recognition for the first time in the Assembly’s known history. In other roles, Frank has served as a District Warden and local Field Agent and continues to serve in the Honor Guard. Now, Frank takes the reins as District Membership Director for the 2026/27 Fraternal Year. Frank and his wife live in Southington. Their daughter is a Regulatory Research Coordinator at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and their son is a Master’s Degree Candidate in Sacred Music at St. Patrick’s Seminary. Fun Fact: Frank co-hosts an Italian Radio Program that his father started in 1969 and is still on the air today.
Sir Knight Joseph Provost
N/a
District Communications Director
Sir Knight Jonathan Santillo, FN
Driven by a deep, intuitive desire to serve others and protect sacred traditions, Jonathan Santillo hopes to bring a soulful, purpose-driven heart to the Connecticut District leadership team. Serving as both District Communications Director and District Pilot, Jonathan manages the district’s modern digital presence, including the official website, the district calendar, and District social media platforms, hoping this can be a vital way to keep our fraternal family connected, protected, and uplifted. Jonathan’s journey with the Knights began on March 20, 2024, at the historic San Salvador Council #1. He has now moved to the Carmel Council #3605, where he currently serves as Deputy Grand Knight and Lecturer. He advanced to the Patriotic 4th Degree on April 13, 2024, and now serves as Faithful Navigator for Commodore John Barry Assembly #97. Hoping to lead with vision and a protective care for his brothers, Jonathan resides in Connecticut. Outside the Knights, Jonathan’s life is defined by a devotion to community. He serves as a Flotilla Staff Officer (FSO-PV) in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, anchoring his deep patriotism. A lifelong seeker of meaning, Jonathan holds an AA in Political Science, a BA and MA in History, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree. Fun Fact: Jonathan was Born in Guatemala.
Degree Team Captain
Sir Knight Paul Niche, FDD
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Historian
Sir Knight Michael J. Donnelly, FVSM
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Scribe
Sir Knight Frank Quadrino, FDD
Frank Quadrino joined the Knights of Columbus on November 15, 2004, in St. Mary's Church of Blessed McGivney Parish and became a member of the St. John Paul II Council 8372 in New Haven. Frank attained the title of Sir Knight in May of 2006 & rose through the ranks of the John Barry Assembly 097 & transferred to Council 10705 (now Council 1) & The Honorable William Patrick Donlin Assembly 2459 in 2011, maintaining the chair of Faithful Scribe & participating in the Honor Guard/Color Corps. In 2016, Frank was appointed Color Corps Commander of Donlin Assembly 2459. Frank was also appointed to the District Scribe in 2016 & currently holds that position. Frank is also currently the newly elected Grand Knight of San Salvador Council 1. Frank resides in New Haven together with his wife, Evelyn & son, Christian. Frank retired from the New Haven Police Department in 2008 after 23 years of service & currently he is a member of the Connecticut State Police Troop I in Bethany, CT. A fun fact about me is that I own every Topps Baseball card printed since 1971.
Patrick E. Kelly is the 14th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, having taken office on March 1, 2021. He serves as the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization, with more than 2 million members internationally. Mr. Kelly has had a distinguished career in the Knights of Columbus, the military and public service. His demonstrated track record of service to Church and country for more than 25 years serves him well in advancing the Knights’ mission of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. Mr. Kelly served as Deputy Supreme Knight from 2017 until February 28, 2021. Previously, he served as Vice President for Public Policy for 11 years, spearheading the Knights’ interaction with the White House, U.S. Congress and federal agencies. He also served as State Deputy in the District of Columbia. As a longtime executive and fraternal leader of the Knights of Columbus, he has consistently strengthened its record of charity, advocacy, insurance, investing and membership growth. Mr. Kelly served as the first executive director of the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., and oversaw the renewal of the facility after its purchase by the Knights in 2011. During his tenure, the shrine became a leading pilgrimage site and a source of education and inspiration for Catholics throughout the United States and the world. Prior to his leadership roles in the Knights, Mr. Kelly pursued a lengthy career of public service. Most notably, he was Senior Advisor to the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom at the State Department. His responsibilities included serving as the Department’s principal liaison with the Holy See and assisting with the formulation of U.S. foreign policy on religious freedom worldwide. He led U.S. delegations to the World Summit on Islamic-Christian dialogue (2005), the UN conference on interfaith cooperation (2005), and annual Sant’Egidio conferences. He also held legal advisory roles on the House Intelligence Committee and in the Department of Justice, where he specialized in counterterrorism and national security. Mr. Kelly served in the United States Navy for 24 years, on land and sea, on active duty and reserve status. As a Judge Advocate General, he specialized in international and operational law and served as the Commanding Officer of the international law unit at the U.S. Naval War College. He served on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations and aboard the USS Guam as the Staff Judge Advocate for Amphibious Squadron Two. His personal awards include three Navy Achievement Medals, five Navy Commendation Medals and the Meritorious Service Medal. He retired from the JAG Corps Reserve in 2016. Mr. Kelly serves as consultant to four committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): the Committee on Pro-life Activities; the Committee on Religious Liberty; the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth; and the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. Mr. Kelly was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the March for Life (United States) from 2012-2021. Under his leadership, the March for Life became one of the most effective pro-life organizations in the world. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) since 2013. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of The Catholic University of America (CUA) and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Mr. Kelly holds a master’s degree in theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at CUA, a law degree from Marquette University Law School and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Marquette, where he joined the Knights of Columbus in 1983. He and his wife, Vanessa, have three daughters. They live in Connecticut.
Supreme Chaplain
Archbishop William E. Lori S.T.D.
As supreme chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, has the responsibility of overseeing the spiritual welfare of the Order’s more than 2 million members and their families. On May 16, 2012 Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori was installed as the 16th Archbishop of Baltimore. A native of Louisville, Ky., Archbishop Lori obtained a bachelor’s degree from the Seminary of Saint Pius X in Erlanger, Ky., in 1973, and a master’s degree from Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., in 1977. In 1982, Archbishop Lori received his doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Archbishop Lori was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Washington by Cardinal William Baum on May 14, 1977, in St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington, D.C. His first assignment was as associate pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Landover, Md., a position he held for five years. Thereafter, Archbishop Lori held a number of official chancery positions in the archdiocese, including vicar general, moderator of the Curia, and secretary to Cardinal James Hickey. In 1995, Archbishop Lori was ordained to the episcopate as auxiliary bishop of Washington and titular bishop of Bulla, an ancient suffragan see in modern-day Tunisia. Since 2001, Archbishop Lori has been a member of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities and the Committee on Doctrine of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In 2002, President George W. Bush invited Archbishop Lori to join the President’s Committee on Mental Retardation. In 2002, in recognition of his role as an emerging leader in the Church's response to the sexual misconduct crisis, Archbishop Lori was appointed to the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse. He was instrumental in drafting the landmark Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. As one of four U.S. bishops on a special Mixed Commission, Archbishop Lori journeyed to the Vatican to revise the "Essential Norms" of the Charter, which has now become particular law for the Catholic Church in the United States to ensure that no one who works for the Catholic Church will ever pose a threat of any kind to any person, young or old. Archbishop Lori was elected supreme chaplain of the Knights of Columbus in April 2005.
Deputy Supreme Knight
Sir Knight Arthur L. Peters
Arthur L. Peters of Brampton, Ontario, was elected in April 2023 by the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors to the position of Deputy Supreme Knight, effective July 1, 2023. Mr. Peters joined the Knights of Columbus in 1986 as a charter member of Father Clair Tipping Council 9235 in Brampton, Ontario. He served in numerous officer positions for his council, district and the Ontario State Council, which he led as State Deputy from 2010 to 2011. He served as host committee chairman for the Knights’ international convention that was held in Toronto in 2016. Mr. Peters has worked in the nonprofit sector with Youth Assisting Youth, which provides mentorship and tutoring, and with the Canadian Red Cross. For 15 years, he was a member of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and served as its vice-chair and chair. He is an active parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church in Brampton, coming from one of the founding families of the parish. Since 2005, Mr. Peters has worked as the Director of Development for the Archdiocese of Toronto, a position he will retain during his tenure as Deputy Supreme Knight. He resides in Brampton with his wife, Angela, who is an executive in the nonprofit sector.
Supreme Secretary
Sir Knight John A. Marrella
John A. Marrella is the supreme secretary of the Knights of Columbus. A graduate of Amherst College and Harvard Law School, Mr. Marrella spent most of his legal career as a federal prosecutor, serving in the United States Department of Justice for more than 17 years. He was an assistant U.S. attorney in Connecticut and concluded his government service at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., as deputy assistant attorney general in the Tax Division. Mr. Marrella began working at the Knights of Columbus in 2009 and is a member of Trinity Council No. 5467. He and his wife, Amey, have been married since 1992.
Supreme Treasurer
Sir Knight Ronald F. Schwarz
As supreme treasurer of the Knights of Columbus, Ronald Schwarz oversees a variety of administrative departments at the Supreme Council office. A certified public accountant, Ronald Schwarz worked as a divisional controller at Climate Control Group Inc., overseeing the financial operations of eight manufacturing plants. He also worked as a financial controller at SAIC Energy, Environment & Infrastructure LLC. Schwarz is a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, having joined the Order in 1977. He served as Oklahoma state deputy from 2013-2015, during which time his jurisdiction twice earned Circle of Honor status for membership and insurance growth. Prior to this, he served as state secretary from 2011-2013, state treasurer from 2009-2011 and state advocate from 2007-09. He belongs to St. Monica Council 11237 in Edmond and Father Joseph Tierney Assembly 2004, for which he served as faithful navigator. He became supreme treasurer in September 2016. Ronald and his wife, Janette, are the parents of two daughters.
Supreme Advocate
Sir Knight Anthony R. Picarello Jr
Anthony R. Picarello Jr. was appointed Supreme Advocate of the Knights of Columbus by the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors on June 20, 2025. Prior to his appointment, he served as the executive director of the Saint John Paul II National Shine in Washington, D.C., since August 2023. He continues to have executive oversight over the Shrine in his new role. For the preceding 16 years, Mr. Picarello was the associate general secretary and general counsel for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), also in Washington. As associate general secretary, Mr. Picarello oversaw the policy and advocacy work of the USCCB, and as general counsel, he led the office that serves as in-house counsel to the USCCB and administers the National Diocesan Attorneys Association. He joined the Bishops’ Conference after seven years litigating First Amendment cases at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Before that, he spent three years as a litigation associate at Covington & Burling in Washington, following a federal district court clerkship. Mr. Picarello has addressed different aspects of the relationship between religion and the law through live, print, and digital media, scholarly articles, and lectures at conferences, seminars, and law schools across the country. In January 2007, he was named to The American Lawyer's list of the top 50 litigators under age 45. Mr. Picarello earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School, his A.M. in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School, and his A.B., magna cum laude, in Social Anthropology and Comparative Religion from Harvard University. A dedicated Knight of Columbus, he is a member of Cathedral Council 6790 in Arlington, Virginia.
Supreme Master
Sir Knight Michael R. McCusker, PSD
Michael R. McCusker was elected to the Supreme Board of Directors in August 2022 and has served as Supreme Master since 2023. In September 2024, he was appointed Director of Fraternal Mission. He is a retired criminal prosecutor, as well as a retired Army officer with service in Afghanistan as a combat advisor from 2005-2006. He was awarded a Bronze Star and an Army Commendation Medal for his service in the war. He is the Past Grand Knight of Monsignor Peter P. Buchignani Council 9317 in Cordova, Tennessee and served as Tennessee State Deputy from 2019-2021. Mr. McCusker and his wife, Theresa, have three children.
Vice-Supreme Master
Sir Knight Michael Benson, VSM
N/a
Past Supreme Knight
Sir Knight Carl A. Anderson
Carl A. Anderson served as supreme knight from 2000 to 2021, leading the Knights of Columbus to unprecedented levels of charitable giving and support for their communities and the Catholic Church. During his tenure, the Order grew to more than 2 million members, provided more than 700 million hours of volunteer service and made $1.5 billion in charitable donations. The Order’s fraternal activities were modernized, including the introduction of online membership and outreach initiatives to promote membership among Hispanic Catholics in the United States. Activities expanded in Mexico and the Philippines, and the first jurisdictions were established in Europe with new councils in Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and France, as well as on the mainland of Asia in South Korea. He strengthened the spiritual identity of the Order, dedicating the Knights of Columbus to Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2001 and leading efforts which culminated in the beatification of Father Michael McGivney in 2020. Mr. Anderson oversaw consistently strong growth in the Knights’ financial resources. From 2000 to 2020, life insurance in force grew from $40.4 billion to more than $113 billion. Assets under management increased from $8 billion to $26 billion. As part of his strategic modernization initiatives, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors was launched, including a family of eight ethically-screened mutual funds and a donor-advised fund, making the Knights of Columbus one of America’s premier faith-based investment solutions for individual and institutional investors. Before becoming the leader of the Knights of Columbus, Mr. Anderson had a distinguished career as a public servant and educator. He worked in the White House in various positions, including as acting director of the White House Office of Public Liaison and an advisor to President Ronald Reagan on Catholic and pro-life concerns. He also served for a decade as a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. He taught family law at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, and was the founding vice president and first dean of a new session of this graduate school of theology in Washington, D.C. Mr. Anderson is the author of the New York Times bestseller, A Civilization of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do To Transform The World; co-author (with Msgr. Eduardo Chávez) of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the Civilization of Love, also a New York Times bestseller; co-editor (with Msgr. Livio Melina) of The Way of Love: Reflections on Pope Benedict XVI’s Encyclical Deus Caritas Est; co-author (with Rev. José Granados) of Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II’s Theology of the Body; and author of Beyond a House Divided: The Moral Consensus Ignored by Washington, Wall Street and the Media;These Liberties We Hold Sacred: Essays on Faith and Citizenship in the 21st Century; and Conscience as a Political Problem: Faith, Culture and Christian Statesmanship. His books have been translated into eight languages. Pope John Paul II appointed Mr. Anderson as a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life (1998) and the Pontifical Council for the Laity (2002), and as a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (2003). Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications (2007) and as a member of the Pontifical Council for the Family (2008). He was reappointed to the Pontifical Academy for Life by Pope Francis (2017). He was a member of the Vatican delegation for the Fifteenth Meeting of the International Jewish Liaison Committee held in Jerusalem (1994). In addition, Mr. Anderson served as a consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) committees on pro-life activities, religious liberty, marriage, and against racism. He currently serves as a consultant to the USCCB International Justice and Peace Committee. Mr. Anderson is a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Sylvester, the Order of St. Gregory the Great and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He serves as a trustee emeritus of The Catholic University of America and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. He has received honorary doctorates from The Catholic University of America, the Pontifical Theology Academy of Krakow, St. Vincent’s Seminary, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Sacred Heart Seminary, Albertus Magnus College, Sacred Heart University, Ave Maria University, Ave Maria University School of Law, Thomas More College, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, and Divine Mercy University. Mr. Anderson is the recipient of many honors including the Imago Dei Award, Archdiocese of Denver (2005); the Canterbury Medal, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty (2007); the Servant of Peace Award, Holy See Mission to the United Nations (2007); the Rector’s Award, Pontifical North American College, Rome (2008); the John Carroll Society Award (2009); the Lupa Capitolina Award, City of Rome (2009); the John Cardinal O’Connor Award, Sisters of Life (2009); the Evangelium Vitae Medal, University of Notre Dame (2015); the Path to Peace Award, Holy See Mission to the United Nations (2016); the St. Thomas Aquinas Medallion, Thomas Aquinas College (2022); and the Lumen Vitae Award of St. Benedict Abbey (2026). After joining Potomac Council 433 in Washington, D.C., he served as grand knight, district deputy, state advocate, state secretary and state deputy of the District of Columbia. From 1987 to 1997, he served as the Order’s vice president for public policy. He went on to serve as assistant supreme secretary and then supreme secretary, until his election as supreme knight. Mr. Anderson led the Knights of Columbus in a variety of charitable endeavors including:
Establishing the Heroes Fund to provide immediate assistance to the families of first responders who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.
Creating the $2 million Pacem in Terris Fund, to assist the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in supporting the Christian community in the Holy Land.
Printing and donating more than half a million Catholic prayer books for U.S. military personnel.
Giving the gift of mobility by providing wheelchairs to tens of thousands of people in need in Afghanistan, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Oman, Panama, the Philippines, Poland, Ukraine, the United States, and Vietnam.
Establishing the Villa Maria Guadalupe retreat center in Stamford, Conn., with the Sisters of Life.
Raising close to $10 million to help rebuild Catholic churches and schools in the U.S. Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Establishing McGivney Hall on the campus of The Catholic University of America as the new home of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.
Creating the Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative which has donated more than 2,000 ultrasound machines to crisis pregnancy resource centers in all 50 states.
Establishing the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program which has provided new winter coats to low-income children.
Creating the Healing Haiti’s Children program, which provided approximately 1,000 prosthetic limbs in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti.
Purchasing the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., to establish the Saint John Paul II National Shrine, a permanent memorial that houses a world-class museum dedicated to John Paul II’s life, pontificate and teaching.
Expanding educational opportunities for AIDS orphans in Kenya and Uganda, in cooperation with the Apostles of Jesus.
Launching the Christian Refugee Relief Fund, a charitable fund that has raised more than $35 million to benefit persecuted Christians in the Middle East.
Co-sponsoring Warriors to Lourdes with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA — an annual pilgrimage of wounded veterans and military personnel to the annual International Military Pilgrimage (PMI) to Lourdes, France.
Creating the Native Solidarity Initiative to honor the religious heritage of Indigenous Catholics in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Mr. Anderson holds degrees in philosophy from Seattle University and in law from the University of Denver. He is a member of the bar of the District of Columbia and is admitted to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court. He and his wife, Dorian, are the parents of five children.
