Biography and directives/proclamation of MWPHGM Chester C. Christie, 33°
Chester C. Christie is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. He is the son of Clinton and Olga Christie and was raised and educated in Brooklyn, New York.
In June of 1978, M W Bro. Christie earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Brooklyn College where he graduated cum laude. In September of that year he relocated to Columbus, Ohio where he was admitted to the Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law; earning his Juris Doctor degree In June 1981.
His career in the areas of Labor Law and Human Resources Management began upon graduation from law school with his employment as General Counsel to the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association. In April 1984 Bro. Christie was appointed to the State of Ohio Employment Relations Board as an Administrative Law Judge where he served for 8 years.
In April 1992 Bro. Christie was appointed Deputy Director, Division of Human Resources with the Ohio Department of Youth Services. He served in that capacity until February 11, 2000.
On February 14, 2000 Christie was honored to be named to the Cabinet of Mayor Michael B. Coleman in the capacity of Director of the Department of Human Resources for the City of Columbus. His responsibilities included oversight and direction of the City's Employee Benefits, EEO, Labor Relations, Compensation Management, Staff Training and Development, Occupational Health and Safety and, Drug-free Workplace programs. In 2014 he received Columbus CEO Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award for H R Excellence. In November of 2014 Christie retired after 15 years serving the Coleman Administration as Director of the Department of Human Resources. In May 2015, the Chester C. Christie Training Center was dedicated in honor of his service to the City of Columbus
Bro. Christie is a Forty year member of the Second Baptist Church of Columbus, Ohio. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees, the Building and Development Committee, the Male Chorus and as Servant-Leader of the Men's Fellowship Ministry.
Bro. Christie has served on numerous boards and commissions and maintains an active membership in several Human Resources professional organizations. He has taught the Legal Aspects of Human Resources Management as an Adjunct Professor at Franklin University.
Bro. Christie was initiated an Entered apprentice 10/20/1981; passed to the degree of Fellow craft 11/17/1981; and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on 1/3/1982 in St. Mark’s Lodge #7, Columbus Ohio. He served St. Mark’s Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1989. He has also served as Illustrious Potentate of Alla Baba Temple #53, AEAONMS (1997); Most Worthy Joshua of Rollin F. Kelley, Sr. Ct. #4 HOJ ( 1997); Excellent High Priest of Johnson Chapter #3, RAM ( 2017); and Worthy Patron of Esther Chapter #3, O.E.S. (2018). He is a member of Herald Council #3, R&SM, and LD Easton Consistory #21, AASR, NJ. In 2006 Bro. Christie was elevated to the honorary 33rd and last degree of Freemasonry, as a member of the Courtney P. Houston, Jr. Class of the United Supreme Council, AASR, NJ, USA, PHA.
MW Brother Christie has served the MWPHGL of Ohio in several capacities over the last 32 years since receiving his initial appointment as Assistant Grand Attorney from MWPGM Dr. Chester C. Pryor in 1987. He has also served as Grand Attorney under MWPGM Steven Reese Sr, and MWPGM Frederick E. Kelley, Sr; Deputy Grand Lecturer, District #3 under MWPGM E. Duane Pettiford and MWPGM Embie R. Bostic. He was elected a Grand Lodge Development Fund Committee Member from 2001 to 2013, serving as Chairman from 2009 to 20013. Bro Christie was Elected Junior Grand Warden in 2013, Senior Grand Warden in 2015, and Deputy Grand Master in 2017. On August 6, 2019 he reached the pinnacle of Freemasonry by being afforded the privilegeof being elected and installed as the 64th Most Worshipful Grand Master of the MWPHGL of Ohio.
Bro. Christie is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and has held local and regional offices with the fraternity.
He is married to the former Cheryl Ann Bivins of Kansas City, Missouri. They have 2 daughters, Victoria, 34 and Angela, 31, a Son-In-Law, PM Leonard S. Cousin, II and 1 Grandson, Leon.