State Officers — 2024-2025

State Deputy

Bob Jones (5332)

statedeputy@vakofc.org
A native of Fairfax, Virginia, Bob attended Fairfax High School. He then obtained a degree from Old Dominion University in Industrial Engineering and a degree from North Carolina State University in Facilities Engineering Management. In 1989, Bob joined St. Timothy Council 7369 in Chantilly Virginia and served there as Warden and Treasurer. He also joined St. Elizabeth Bayley Seton Assembly 1781 in 1991. In 2011, he transferred to Bishop Keating Council 12434 and served as Program Director in 2012-2013, Deputy Grand Knight in 2013-2014, and two terms as Grand Night from 2014-2016, earning Star Council both years. He started The Fathers Cilinski Assembly 3568 with 38 members and served as Charter Faithful Navigator in 2015-2016. Bob is currently a member of Geroge Brent Council 5332.

For the Virginia State Council, Bob served as the State Family Activities Chairman in 2016-2017, District Deputy of District 11 in 2017-2018, State Culture of Life Chairman in 2018-2019, ran the Supreme Hospitality Room in 2019 (receiving a letter of commendation from John Barrett, PSD – Best Supreme Hospitality Room Ever!), and State Membership Director in 2019-2020. In 2020, Bob was elected State Warden and served in each of the state officer chairs. At the 124th Annual Meeting and State Convention in April 2024, the Virginia State Council elected Bob to serve as State Deputy for the 2024-2025 fraternal year.

Bob and his wife Lisa are members of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Warrenton, VA. They live in Marshall, Virginia and enjoy spending time with their family.
     

State Chaplain

Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde

chaplain@vakofc.org
Bishop Loverde attended Catholic schools in Pawcatuck, CT, and then La Salle Academy in Providence, R.I. He received his B.A., summa cum laude, from Saint Bernard Seminary College, Rochester, NY. His studies in Rome, Italy, resulted in earning a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1966. That was followed by his education at Catholic University in Washington, DC, receiving his Licentiate (JCL) in Canon Law.

Bishop Loverde was ordained a priest for service in the Diocese of Norwich. CT on December 18, 1965, in the Basilica of Saint Peter, Rome, and then served in a variety of assignments both on the parochial and diocesan levels. On April 12, 1988, he was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Hartford, CT. On January 17, 1994, he was installed as the Eleventh Bishop of Ogdensburg, N.Y. Later he then was installed as the Third Bishop of Arlington, VA on March 25, 1999.

Currently, he serves on the Board of Trustees at Catholic Distance University (CDU), where he is also Chair, he is a member of the Board of Trustees of Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland He also is a member of the Board of Directors of The Institute for Psychological Sciences/Divine Mercy University, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Board for the Commissariat of the Holy Land, the Religious Alliance Against Pornography, and the Board for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
     

Assoc. State Chaplain

Msgr. John C. Cregan

chaplaincregan@vakofc.org
Born Nov. 13, 1939 in Bronx, N.Y. He graduated from Fordham University and then served more than 20 years in the Marine Corps. In 1969, he felt the call to the priesthood while lying in a foxhole in Vietnam. Retiring early from the Marine Corps as Lieutenant Colonel, he attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., to be ordained by Bishop John R. Keating May 9, 1987.

Father Cregan’s assignments included being parochial vicar of St. Patrick Church in Chancellorsville and at the Church of the Nativity in Burke, VA before being assigned as pastor of St. Elizabeth Church in Colonial Beach. Before retiring, he served as pastor for 19 years at Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria.

He embraced the status of retired parish priest and begin residence at the St. Rose of Lima Priests Retirement Villa in Annandale. Father Cregan continued with his priestly duties by increasing his time as a spiritual director for the seminarians at Mount St. Mary’s. Bishop Loverde soon after appointed him as Deputy State Chaplain to the Virginia Knights of Columbus.
     

Assoc. State Chaplain

Very Rev.  Salvador Añonuevo

chaplainanonuevo@vakofc.org

Fr. Sal was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Sorsogon, Philippines in 1986.  He came to the United States in 1997 and trained in radio and TV communications in New York while serving as chaplain of the Sparkill Dominicans and later as parochial vicar at St. Margaret Church in Pearl River, NY.  In 2001 Fr. Sal came to the Diocese of Richmond and has served in the parishes of Sacred Heart and St. Pius in Norfolk and in St. Luke’s and Holy Spirit in Virginia Beach in various roles before he was appointed Pastor at his current parishes, Holy Name of Mary in Bedford and Resurrection in Moneta in July of 2009.  In 2018 he was named Vicar Forane in the Western Vicariate.   Fr. Sal currently serves as a member of the College of Consultors, the Priest’s Council and the Priest’s Personnel. He joined the Knights of Columbus in 2003 with Kempsville Council #10515 in Virginia Beach. Fr. Sal is a chartered member and former Chaplain of Pope John Paul the Great Council #13784 of Virginia Beach. He went on to serve as Faithful Friar of Fr. Habets Assembly  (ASM 1505), also of  Virginia Beach.  He currently serves as Faithful Friar of Holy Cross Assembly (ASM 1315) in Forest . Fr. Sal provides pastoral leadership as Associate State Chaplain for the Virginia Knights of Columbus.
     

State Secretary

Trey Hart (6828)

statesecretary@vakofc.org
Initially growing up on a military installation based in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, Trey graduated from Purdue University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, double specializing in Organizational Behavior & Human Resources and World History.  He currently resides in the metropolitan Richmond area where he works as a senior analyst for a Fortune 300 utility company.

Trey joined the Order in 2003 and 4th Degree the following year, initially as a member of St. Edward’s Council 06546 and Msgr. John J McMahon Assembly 2205, respectively.  Serving in multiple councils and assemblies as needs have been brought to the forefront, he served in various posts such as Faithful Navigator of James Cardinal Gibbons Assembly 3066 (2009-10), District Deputy #10 (2011-15), and Grand Knight of St. Martin of Tours Council 15794 (2018-19).  He is currently a member of St. Bede Council 06828 and a member of Fr. John P Washington Assembly 2184 where he is also the Faithful Purser.

Additional positions held within the Order would include District Warden #10 (2010-11), Deputy Membership Director (2015-16), District Deputy Trainer (2016-17), General Program Director (2017-18), State Family Activity Chair (2018-19), State Warden (2019-20), State Advocate (2020-21), State Treasurer (2021-22; 2023-24) and State Secretary (2022-23). 

A supporter of football clubs Roda JC Kerkade (NED) and AFC Wimbledon (ENG), Trey likes to spend his free time writing short stories and reading military (Cold War influenced) & espionage novels.

Trey has primarily been a member of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Community on US Army Garrison Gregg-Adams for over 30 years.
     

State Treasurer

John Knox (6790)

statetreasurer@vakofc.org
A native of Virginia Beach, VA, John attended Landstown High School and Technology Academy. He went on to study Computer Science with a Bachelor’s Degree from Old Dominion University and recently received a Master’s in Cybersecurity Technology from University of Maryland Global Campus graduating Summa Cum Laude. His work assignments have included Incident Response at the Pentagon, Global and Emerging Threats with the Marines, and government civilian supervisor for a DoD Agency in Maryland

John joined Cathedral Council #6790 at St. Thomas More Cathedral in 2011 and served in all officer roles concluding as a two-time Grand Knight, KCIC Chair, and Degree Team Captain. He also was Faithful Navigator of Commodore John Barry Assembly #1163 where he created the Patriot Trail event as an opportunity for brothers to enjoy fraternity and visit Patriotic sites throughout the DC/MD/VA area.

He served as District Deputy for District 15 for 3 years culminating in a Clean Sweep of State Deputy Awards and Star District in the final year. His time on the VA State Council also includes service as a Regional District Deputy and Deputy Membership Director 2021-2022 when the state achieved 116% membership growth.

In spare time, John enjoys playing Tennis, reading, traveling, and attending Catholic Young Professional events in the area.
     

State Advocate

Ernie Piro (10754)

stateadvocate@vakofc.org
Born and raised in New York City, New York, Ernie attended Catholic schools throughout his academic career. At St. John’s University he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Accounting, Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Finance, and Juris Doctorate (JD) degree in Law. He later completed a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Taxation at New York University. Ernie grew up in a household that promoted strong Catholic values and a resilient work ethic. He grew up in a Knight’s household and his PGK & SK father has been a member in good standing since 1964.

Ernie is licensed as a certified public accountant, member of several state lawyer bars, and a life insurance agent and producer. Over the past 37 years, Ernie has worked in corporate America for large publicly traded corporations in leadership positions and for one of the major global accounting firms. Also, he has been a small business owner, creating career opportunities for others. Ernie carries this entrepreneurial spirit into all his endeavors.

He joined the Knights in 2018, only a few weeks after his first wife, Deborah, passed away unexpectedly. He remarried in June 2024 to his current wife, Ellen. They reside currently in Great Falls, VA and are active parishioners at St. Catherine of Siena church (Great Falls). He is the father of two daughters, of whom one is deceased and the other is an adult living in the Northeast.

Ernie has served as a Deputy Grand Knight, Grand Knight, Council Trustee, Council Culture of Life Chair, and Council Membership Director at Padre Pio Council 10754 (2019-24); District Warden in District 31 (2022-24); Faithful Navigator and Faithful Captain at Elizabeth Bayley Seton Assembly 1781 (2022-24); Recruiting Coordinator of the State Membership team (2022-23); and Virigina State Membership Director (2023-24). Outside of the Knights, he has been involved in many community programs, served as a board member of several charitable organizations, and currently serves in a Bishop-appointed capacity as the Vice Chair of the Diocese of Arlington Stewardship and Development Advisory Council. He is also a member of the Diocese St. Thomas More Legal Guild of practicing Catholic lawyers.
     
PICTURE

State Warden

 

statewarden@vakofc.org
BIO
     

Immediate Past State Deputy

Pat Rowland (12378)

ipsd@vakofc.org
A native of Ottumwa, Iowa, Pat retired from the United States Navy (23 years) in 2008 and retired from the work force in 2022.

He joined the Order in 2005 and served as Grand Knight (2010-2011) for St. Teresa of Calcutta Council 12117 and is now a member of San Lorenzo Council 12378.  He is a member of Father Michael J. McGivney Assembly 2588 and served as Faithful Navigator during the 2020-2021 fraternal year. 

Additional positions held within the jurisdiction include District Deputy 4 (2014-2016), State Convention Chairman (2016-2017), State Membership Director (2017-2018), State Council Officer (2018 – present).

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale specializing in Workforce Education and Development.  He and his wife, Arlene, are parents to daughter Kori and son John.  He is a member of Church of the Ascension in Virginia Beach where he supports multiple ministries such as Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Liturgy Coordinator and Choir (instrumental). 
     

Executive Secretary

Richie Head (11172)

execsecretary@vakofc.org
A native of New York, Richie attended Pace University and St. John’s University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, and a Master’s degree in finance. He retired
from ExxonMobil Corporation after 35 years in various financial departments.Richie joined the Order in 1984 and is a member of St. Michaels/Joseph P. Solari Council 11172 in Glen Allen. He has served as Grand Knight four times, two years in New York (1988-1990)
and two more in Virginia (1992-1994). He is currently a member of Richmond Assembly 1165 and served as a Faithful Navigator from 1996-1998 in Northern Virginia.Additional positions held within the Order include District Warden (1993-1995), District Deputy (1995-1997), State Membership Director (1997-1999), State Warden (1999-2000), State
Advocate (2000-2001), State Treasurer (2001-2002), State Secretary (2002-2003), and State Deputy (2003-2004). He is currently serving his seventh term as Executive Secretary.On the Fourth Degree level, he has also served as Master of the Virginia District (2006-2010), and Vice Supreme Master of the Calvert Province (2011-2015).Richie and his wife, Judy, will celebrate their 54 th anniversary this year and have three children, Rosemarie, Christine and Richard Jr., a Fourth Degree Knight. They attend St. Michael the
Archangel Catholic Church in Glen Allen.
     

District Master

 Guillermo Giondani (8183)

master@vakofc.org
Guillermo Giandoni was born in Mexico.  He attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through High School in California.  He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and attended the University of Southern California, receiving a Master’s Degree in Systems Management.  He has also attended the Inter-American Defense College for Post Graduate Studies and received an Advanced Masters Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University.

He served in the U.S. Army for over 26 years, retiring as a Colonel.  He worked as a platoon leader, company commander, battalion commander and in multiple staff assignments at battalion, major command, Pentagon, and multi-national levels and as the Executive Director for the Inter-American Defense Board.

He led a 1,500 person battalion deployed to the Persian Gulf War providing full logistic management and engineering services to over 18,000 personnel in northern Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq.

He has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the  Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon,  the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Parachutist Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.

After retirement from the U.S. Army, he worked in the civilian sector establishing projects, managing programs valued from $1 Million to $5 Billion.

The list of his training and skills in business practice, process improvement, systems development, strategic planning, systems integration, and financial management is quite extensive.

Guillermo joined the Knights of Columbus in 1986 and took his Fourth Degree in 1992.  He has served as a Grand Knight, a District Warden, and as a District Deputy.  At the Fourth Degree level, he has served as a Faithful Navigator, as a member and Commander of the District Exemplification Honor Guard, and as a Regional Marshal.  He assumed his position as the Master of the Virginia District on September 1, 2022.

He married his wife, Mary Ann, in 1972 and they have three children, John Alexis, William Alexis, and Jenna Annamarie.  They also have three grandchildren, John (Jack) Alexis, William Carlos, and Maya.