The Record | Volume 144 | Issue #2 | Fall 2025
By Johnny Sao (Millikin ’11)
Change is inevitable. Embracing and leading change is an essential component of personal development, professional achievement, and societal progress. Without it, we risk stagnation – getting stuck in patterns, habits, and systems that could be improved. Embracing change means being open to improvement – it challenges us to rethink what we know and empowers us to better ourselves, and in turn, our communities.
Each biennium, Sigma Alpha Epsilon focuses on change at our National Convention. It is billed as our organization’s “biggest meeting” and boasts more than 400 delegates representing chapters, provinces, and alumni associations from across the Realm. Aside from voting on Fraternity Laws, one of the more prominent events is installing the new Supreme Council, our all-volunteer Board of Directors who are charged with leading our fraternity.
The gentlemen on the 2025-2027 Supreme Council are men of action and harbingers of change. Not a meeting goes by where they aren’t preaching their mantra – “continuous improvement” – as they work on behalf of our brothers around the Realm to make SAE the best organization it can be. As the leaders of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, they govern how we operate, set the vision for our fraternity and in turn, lead the way in shaping the overall culture of our organization. They represent our vast and diverse membership (spanning from new initiates all the way to our brothers in Chapter Eternal) and are in fact themselves, a diverse group of people. Each has his own unique story and their journeys that ultimately brought them to the Supreme Council are as varied and fascinating as the men themselves.
Our very own Eminent Supreme Archon did not join the Fraternity through the typical underclass recruitment route. SAE was just starting the chapter at UC-Irvine when Ben Johnson (UC-Irvine ‘87) arrived on campus as a junior. The only thing he knew about the Greek-letter world was what was in the movies – satirical exaggerations of the real-life experience.
What drew Ben in was the True Gentleman, something he was not expecting from a fraternity. The high standards set forth by our guiding creed resonate for him as strongly today as they did then. When it came time to charter California Psi and initiate its Founding Fathers, Ben couldn’t afford the fees. So, his soon-to-be Brothers split the cost.
“They trusted me without hesitation. That simple gesture has really molded who I am as a person, both the values I live by and my expectations of others.” – Ben Johnson
One of Ben’s favorite lines from the True Gentleman is “who speaks with frankness, but always with sincerity and sympathy.” He challenges everyone to have the courage to speak up, no matter the subject. There are constructive and respectful ways to talk about even the most difficult topic, and you can always count on Ben to give his perspective on a topic.
While some are always ready to chime in, others aren’t as extroverted. For those that have not met Jim Skaggs (Oklahoma State ‘78), he is not a shy person. At least today he isn’t. Our Eminent Supreme Deputy Archon used to be “deathly shy and socially awkward” – which is unimaginable for anyone who’s had a conversation with him before.
Jim gives credit to SAE for his outwardness and growth as a person. He joined the chapter at Oklahoma State to build friendship and fellowship with others, but got so much more than that. When Jim was taking care of his terminally ill mother, his chapter Brothers drove through an ice storm just to be with him. Ice storms don’t happen in Oklahoma.
“I always knew these were my Brothers, but I didn’t truly understand what it meant to really be there for someone until that moment. You’re there for everything, no matter what.” – Jim Skaggs
Since then, Jim has been there for everything. He doesn’t miss a meeting (if he can) and he still visits the chapter (when he can). He has a never-ending drive to give back to the organization that gave him his Brothers and molded him into the person he is today. His guidance has shaped Oklahoma Mu into one of the few chapters that have received multiple Zeal awards.
Joe Richey (Penn State-University Park ‘09) currently serves as our Eminent Supreme Warden. Elected in 2023, he is among the youngest ever chosen to serve on our Supreme Council. After joining the chapter at Penn State in the Fall of 2005, Brother Richey soon discovered, through the encouragement and mentorship of great SAE brothers that took him under their wings, that he was meant to be a leader – and he has since proven himself time and again.
Joe was elected to his first of two terms as Eminent Archon of his chapter as just a rising sophomore. You can still hear the emotion in his voice when talking about the experience:
“There is no greater honor than being elected by your peers to lead them. I learned that lesson first-hand in the halls of my chapter house years ago and it still rings true for me today.” Over his two years, his commitment and leadership helped shift the culture at Pennsylvania Alpha-Zeta and set a foundation of excellence that exists to this day.
“Having the right people around you matters – in fraternity, in business, in life.”
“I had great advisors and mentors who truly made me feel like I was a leader and a difference-maker. They empowered me and challenged me to believe in myself and lead through example,” said Joe. “Having the right people around you matters – in fraternity, in business, in life. I can’t tell you how proud I am to serve with my brother Supreme Council members – they’re upright, dedicated, and high-minded men who are not afraid of a challenge.”
Like his contemporaries on the Supreme Council, Joe has a vast list of accomplishments and leadership roles across various levels of SAE. Many know him as the founder of the first ever Alumni Affinity Group (SAE Hunters & Anglers), which has since grown to over 800 members. In 2023, he served as the impetus behind the founding of the SAE Historic Society, which has flourished and currently boasts nearly 1200 members around the Realm.
When asked what has been the key to the success of these groups so far, Joe’s response was befitting to the type of leader he is: “It’s all about establishing a clear vision and empowering a team of strong leaders to take the ball and run with it.”
Dr. Joe Halcomb (Kentucky ‘74) knows a thing or two about strong leadership. The former Eminent Archon and Kentucky graduate is the Founder and CEO of Phoenix Initiãre and a partner at Telegraph Hill Partners. He draws on his background in engineering and medicine to help life science and healthcare companies achieve their growth objectives. He’s also held senior executive positions in world-leading companies in the medical device and biotechnology industries.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon instilled a drive within our Eminent Supreme Herald to give back. To “think of the rights and feelings of others” if you will. With the professional success that he’s had, you won’t find many more people that have been more generous with their wealth. His generosity and support of the University of Kentucky has been so impactful that the Biomedical Engineering Department there is named in his honor.
“The more you give, the bigger impact you will have.” Dr. Joe Halcomb
Dr. Joe Halcomb, a physician, exemplifies compassion. He pursued biomedical engineering to positively impact people’s lives by developing engineering solutions for challenges in medicine and healthcare. He’s also the personification of giving back, not only to his school, but to his Fraternity. A leader through many avenues, he’s been on the Foundation Board, chairing the Scholarship Commission, and taught at Leadership School and DeVotie Ritual Institute. Dr. Halcomb is a personification of “Brother Hero”, a man of great character and achievement who is as humble as they come.
If you’ve never been to an SAE event, I recommend you go. I had the privilege of attending the 153rd Anniversary Convention in 2009 as an undergraduate and also served on the Levere Memorial Temple headquarters staff from 2015-2022. I can safely say the most valuable and best part of any SAE event is the connections with others.
Our Eminent Supreme Chronicler is well versed in SAE events. It’s where I met him many years ago, and where through the years, he’s helped connect and educate multiple generations of True Gentlemen. Dave Griego (New Mexico ‘83) is a staple at the DeVotie Ritual Institute and a regular at almost every other national SAE event. You cannot miss him – in part because of his wonderful collection of bow ties, or perhaps due to the fact that he is one of the exceedingly few elected to the Supreme Council in our long history to have been honored with the Distinguished Service Award prior to their election.
Dave keeps coming back to events for two reasons: living our values and sharing that with others. He was taught, and lives, that membership in Sigma Alpha Epsilon is for life, not just while you’re in school. The True Gentlemen, our Ritual, and everything else that guides our Fraternity are our way of life, forever. As he often points out, the collegiate tenure is the shortest of our time as SAEs.
“Not only do I want people to learn it, I want to help them to live it. These are teachings that never go away.” Dave Griego
I asked each of the current Supreme Council members what they think needs to change the most about the Fraternity. With their varied backgrounds, it’s no wonder that I got five very distinct (but very fitting) answers. It’s reflective of what SAE is: a collection of unique individuals bringing a wide range of perspectives to the table that is fully embracing change and growth, both personally and as an organization.
Your Supreme Council for 2025-2027 is not afraid of change – they embrace it. These men know how powerful friendships can be. They are brothers united in their commitment to our Ritual, to SAE values and teachings, who believe in honoring our history and heritage. They carve paths for others, face challenges head on, and hold others accountable to high standards. They give back to their beloved Sigma Alpha Epsilon and ensure generations beyond ours will have the same opportunity at the Fraternal bonds they have. These men are leaders of change.
