M.W.B. Michael L. Mccandlish

Grand Master of Masons in Ohio 2026-2027

Biography

MWB McCandlish was born in Lancaster, Ohio, to Mary Lou and Lloyd Johnson. His mother, was homemaker first and retired from the Farifield Heritage Society His father, Lloyd, retired as a successful barber in Lancaster, Ohio. Mike grew up in Lancaster, Ohio, attending Lancaster High School. Upon graduation, Mike went to Hocking College and after graduating in 1984 began his professional career in engineering at Midwest Engineering in Canal Winchester, Ohio. After a company change in 1987 he began working for M-E Building Consultants where he was sent to Ross Laboratories as an Electrical Site Engineer for all their capital projects in Columbus, Ohio until 1995.

In 1995, Mike began a new phase of his career with Mid-City Electric as their Purchasing Agent and also served at the same time as a PM/Estimator until 2000 Continuing in the electrical contractor market for Brush Contractors and Abbott Electric until 2005, he returned to Lancaster to work for Claypool Electric as the Director of Purchasing and is in his 22nd year with his company.

Mike and his wife Becky were married on May 20th, 1989 in Lancaster, Ohio and have two children. Daughter Valerie and her husband Will Evans have one daughter, Penelope, and live in Merion Village (Columbus). A son, Connor and his girlfriend Jordan Householder who reside in Lancaster, Ohio. Mike & Becky have lived their entire lives in Lancaster, Ohio and spend as much time as possible with community events, their friends and with family as these come first for them. Mike began his Masonic life in DeMolay in Fairfield Chapter in Lancaster in 1976, served as Master Councilor in 1980, Representative DeMolay in 1981 and in 2019 was honored to be presented with the DeMolay Internations Legion of Honor Award for active DeMolays.

He is a Past Master and endowed member of Lancaster Lodge #57 and a plural member of Rushville Lodge #211. Holding Honorary memberships with Somerset Lodge #76, Delta Lodge #207, East Palestine Lodge #417, Pleasant Valley Lodge #537 and Peerless Lodge #591.

MWB McCandlish is a member the Valley of Columbus AASR and officer in the Enoch Lodge of Perfection, and was coroneted a 33°Scottish Rite Mason in 2025. He is a member of Lancaster Chapter #11 Royal Arch Masons, Lancaster Council #3 Royal and Select Masters, and Lancaster Commandery #2 Knights Templar. He is also a member Wiliam J. Reese Allied Masonic Degrees Council #145, Aladdin Shrine, Achbar Grotto, Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter of National Sojourners and the Heroes of ’76. MWB McCandlish, served the 13th District and the Grand Lodge of Ohio as District Education Officer for three years (2014-2016) and District Deputy Grand Master, 2017-2019.

Most Worshipful Brother Michael L. McCandlish was appointed by MWB Keith W. Newton in 2020 as Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Ohio and has subsequently been appointed as Senior Grand Deacon, Grand Marshal, and Grand Orator. In 2023 he was elected junior Grand Warden, Senior Grand Warden in 2024, and Deputy Grand Master in 2025. Most Worshipful Brother McCandlish was elected and installed as Grand Master on October 16th, 2026, at the Dayton Masonic Center in Sandusky, Ohio.

Grand Lodge Officers 2025-2026

  • RWB Wayne A. Fischer -

    Deputy Grand Master

  • RWB Jeffrey M. Sime -

    Senior Grand Warden

  • RWB Eric W. Muehlenbein -

    Junior Grand Warden

  • MWB Steven M. Grindle -

    Grand Treasurer

  • MWB Keith W. Newton -

    Grand Secretary

  • RWB Kory W. Weldy -

    Grand Chaplain

  • RWB Troy L. Davis -

    Grand Orator

  • RWB Daniel A. Hall -

    Grand Marshal

  • RWB Brian J. Arehart -

    Senior Grand Deacon

  • RWB Jesse B. Crawford -

    Junior Grand Deacon

  • RWB Dennis R. Kessler -

    Grand Tyler