About Us
Meet the Working Group
Craftsmen Online was established to serve as a source of additional Light in Freemasonry for Brothers around the world. Co-founded by MW Steven Adam Rubin and RW Michael Arce during the early days of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, our goal is to produce Masonic content that focus on Education, History, Leadership, and the Membership Experience.
Our team (below) is a Working Group of dedicated Brothers that offer their talents and time to advance the mission of producing our meaningful work. Are you interested in joining? We are looking for content contributors, photographers, video producers, writers, thinkers, and men who are passionate about our Beloved Craft. Send us an email to share your background and interest in Craftsmen Online.
MW Steven Adam Rubin
CO-FOUNDER, PUBLISHER
MW Steven Adam Rubin is the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. From 2006 to 2015, he served as Proctor of Grand Lodge, a position likened to that of District Attorney of Grand Lodge; from 2015-2018 Bro. Rubin served as Judge Advocate, attorney and counselor, to the Grand Master. From 2018-2021, MW Rubin served as Grand Treasurer.
In addition to the foregoing, Brother Rubin serves on the Grand Lodge Masonic Brotherhood Foundation and is a past member of the Grand Lodge Constitutions and Finance Committees. Since 2015 Bro. Steven has served as Judge Advocate of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons.
Bro. Rubin is a member of Goldenrule Clermont McKinley Lodge No. 486 in the First Manhattan District, Old Town Lodge No. 908 in the Suffolk District and Warren Lodge No. 32 in the Mid-Hudson Masonic District.
RW Michael Arce
CO-FOUNDER
RW Michael Arce is plural member of Mount Zion Lodge No. 311, Troy, New York and St. John’s Lodge No. 11, Washington, DC. In May of 2023, he was appointed to the Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia near the Grand Lodge of New York. In March 2026, he received the Wendell K. Walker Builder of Men Award.
He is also the host of The Craftsmen Online Podcast.
RW Samuel L. Kinsey
CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK
RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey is a member and three-time Past Master of Mariners Lodge No. 67, a Past Assistant Grand Lecturer and Past District Deputy Grand Master of the First Manhattan District, and the current chairman of the Custodians of the Work—a committee on which he has served for over a decade.
During his term of service on the Custodians Bro. Kinsey directed the work that resulted in the first major revision of the Ritual Book since its inception in 1960, helped lead the effort to return the Grand Lodge of New York to its original practice of allowing Lodges to open on any of the three Degrees, and was a principal author of the revised Drama of the Hiramic Legend.
Bro. Kinsey has worked with the Ritual Renaissance Program throughout its existence, writing over 200 pages of articles and papers on the history, meaning and interpretation of the symbols and lessons embodied in our Degree Rituals as well as floorwork guides and other training materials, and designing animated guides to the Degree floorwork and Hiramic Drama.
He frequently has been invited to give presentations on the principles and practices of Lodge revitalization, talks on the history, development, politics and meanings of Masonic Ritual, participate in panel discussions and conduct Q&A sessions on the Custodians’ work.
In his non-Masonic life, Bro. Kinsey performed for over forty years as a classical singer and has spent the last decade or so writing on the subjects of spirits and cocktails, most recently contributing several articles to the critically acclaimed Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails.
RW MICHAEL LAROCCO
CRAFTSMEN ONLINE READING ROOM
RW Michael LaRocco, 33°, was raised 2011 by Lynbrook-Massapequa Lodge No 822. He is the AGL for Nassau District and Director of the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library. Devout member of Freemasonry and if you ask him which Rite (York or Scottish) to go into he will say, “both, see it all!”
Michael received the Meritorious Service Award (MSA) in 2019 by the NY COD Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, NMJ. Brother Mike has been meditating since 1990 and enlightenment has been his top topic of study his whole life. He loves to teach and discuss the deeper symbolism of the degrees and how they can be used practically to enable us to realize our true self and contribute to humanity. Michael attests that Freemasonry is the most important fraternity in world history because it is very presence protects humanity from the 2 main obstacles to truth – superstition and tyranny.
Bro. Anis D. Okbani
WEBSITE EDITOR
Bro. Okbani is a distinguished member of the Masonic community in New York. He proudly belongs to the Anchor Astoria Lodge No. 729 and Cornucopia Lodge No. 563.
As a 32° Scottish Rite Mason, a Royal Arch Mason, and a proud Shriner, Bro. Okbani has deep ties to various branches of Freemasonry.
His fellowship is highly valued among fellow brothers, and he actively participates in numerous Grand Lodge and District social events, as well as charitable initiatives. Through his involvement, he contributes to both the spirit of brotherhood and the betterment of the community.
Bro. Anis D. Okbani is also the Chairman of the Public Relations Committee of the Grand Lodge of New York.
WB Todd M. Paterek
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
WB Todd M. Paterek is Worshipful Master, Lodge Education Officer, Northstar Coach, and Webmaster of Blazing Star Lodge #694 F&AM, East Aurora, New York.
RW Anthony Prizzia
REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR
RW Anthony Prizzia is the Past Master of Adonai Lodge #718, Highland, New York. Bro. Prizzia is also a proud member of Cyprus Shrine, Oriental Shrine, Ulster County Shrine Club, Valley of Albany A.A.S.R, Poughkeepsie Chapter 172, Poughkeepsie Commandery 43, Royal Order of Scotland.
RW Asly Raymond
COPY EDITOR
WB Asly Raymond is Master of Francis Lewis Lodge No. 273 of the Queens District and Past Master of Joshua Lodge No. 890 of the 7th Manhattan District. Bro. Raymond is also the High Priest of Pentalpha Banner Chapter No. 206, Royal Arch Masons and a proud 32° Scottish Rite Mason at the Valley of Rockville Centre. He is also the editor of the Empire State Magazine, the official publication of the Grand Lodge of New York
He is a big proponent of carrying the principles of Freemasonry out of the lodge room to enhance one’s social, professional and spiritual life.
RW Ron Seifried, DSA
EDITOR, Craftsmen Online and CO-EDITOR, New York Masonic History
RW Ronald J. Seifried, DSA is the Past Master, Trustee Chairman and Historian of Jephtha Lodge No. 494. Bro. Seifried is also a proud 32° Mason Scottish Rite, Valley of Rockville Centre, Companion of Asharokan Chapter No. 288, Royal Arch Masons, and Member of Suffolk Council No. 76, Cryptic Masons. Bro. Seifried is also the author of “Long Island Freemasons,” Arcadia Publishing, 2020. He is also a Trustee of the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library and Museum at the Grand Lodge of New York.
RW Jason Short
READING ROOM, HOST
Freemasonry has made a profound and positive impression on Jason’s life, and he encourages others to allow it to affect them the same.