The museum at the Levere Memorial Temple is home to many artifacts. Among the pieces are items like the shovel used at the building’s groundbreaking ceremony in 1929, Lucy Pattie’s original headstone, William C. “Billy” Levere’s YMCA uniform from World War I, and the Deagan Tower Chimes player. Artifacts, photos, and documents treat visitors to the rich history of the Temple and Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation recently created an exhibit at the Temple to honor and thank past Foundation Chairman Edwin D. Fuller (Boston ‘68). Ed is a devoted supporter of the Foundation, serving on the Board of Trustees for ten years. Ed served as Chairman of the Board for seven of those years and still serves as a Trustee Emeritus providing valuable counsel. He is a Ruby Level donor ($100,000-249,999) in the Founders’ Circle, a giving society for individuals with over $5,000 in lifetime giving. He is also a 2021-2022 Archon Level donor, recognizing annual donations over $5,000 to the Annual Loyalty Fund.
Ed graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. As a collegiate member, Ed served as his pledge class President, his chapter’s Eminent Treasurer, and as editor of the Beta Upsilon chapter’s Flight of the Phoenix publication.
In addition to his official roles within the chapter, Ed’s interest in travel allowed him to act as the unofficial travel agent for his collegiate brothers. His longtime friend and fellow Foundation Trustee, Bob Watts (Boston ‘68), recalls when Ed organized a road trip to Florida for Bob and another brother in 1967. As they traveled from Boston to Miami, they stopped at SAE houses along the way.
Remembering the trip, Bob said, “Ed has always been interested in the travel industry; even in college, if any brother wanted to take a trip, Ed would research it for us and provide travel, sleeping, and social activities.”
After graduating, Ed enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1968 to 1971 with posts in Germany and Vietnam.
Following his service in the military, Ed followed his passion for the travel industry and joined Marriott, where he spent 40 years. Of his many roles within the company, he spent 22 years of his distinguished Marriott career as President and Managing Director of Marriott International and four years as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. Under Ed’s leadership, Marriott opened 534 properties in 73 countries, created 80,000 jobs, and generated $8 billion in revenue.
After retiring from Marriott, Ed co-founded Laguna Strategic Advisors, a consulting group where he currently serves as President and consults clients on global business development and hospitality leadership. In addition to his work as a leader in the hospitality industry, Ed is also an accomplished author. In 2011 he published his first book, You Can’t Lead With Your Feet On the Desk, followed by three titles in the Red Hotel series, with a fourth book scheduled to hit shelves in 2023. Additionally, he served as a board member for various organizations and foundations over the years.
The Ed Fuller exhibit at the Temple includes snapshots of Ed’s remarkable life and career – memorabilia, copies of his books, and several of his military awards, including his Bronze Star, received in Vietnam and Army Commendation Medal. There are also photos of Ed’s personal and professional life, including one of the Fuller family, which features Ed and his wife, Michela, with their children Scott and Elizabeth, their son-in-law, Alex, and their two grandchildren, Cameron and Nolan.
SAE’s second-highest honor, the Merit Key award, is among Ed’s many achievements and accolades. The Supreme Council awarded the Merit Key to Ed at the 159th Anniversary Convention in 2015, recognizing his meritorious service to the Fraternity.
Steve Mitchell, President and Chief Executive Officer of the SAE Foundation, said, “He successfully navigated the political waters of establishing the Foundation as an independent entity. He worked with the Board to create new bylaws and brought both a cadence and a new level of professionalism, enabling us to become even more successful,” when speaking of Ed’s accomplishments as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The Foundation hopes to inform visitors about the distinguished life and career of Ed Fuller through the exhibit. The organization is forever grateful to Brother Fuller for his loyalty and support over the years. In addition, the Foundation will continue to offer new and exciting content to the museum by adding donated historical items and highlighting individual members, chapters, and the organization’s current successes.
For more information about Ed Fuller, please visit edwinfuller.com. For information about the SAE Foundation, please visit sae.net/foundation.
