NEWMAN, Calif. — Ken Rose of Newman has been elected to serve as the 2025–2026 State Deputy for the California Knights of Columbus, the highest leadership position within the state council of the world’s largest Catholic men’s organization. His election took place at this year’s California State Convention, where delegates from across the state gathered to select a new slate of officers.
Joining Rose in leadership is Father Dan Avila, a native of Gustine, who was appointed State Chaplain with the blessing of Bishop Brennan of the Fresno Catholic Diocese. The newly elected state officers also include Vladi Rivera (State Secretary), T.W. Starkweather (State Treasurer), Gene Hays (State Advocate), Rod Olguin (State Warden), James Larson (Immediate Past State Deputy), Ed Dantes (Evangelization and Faith Formation Director), and Dale Pittman (State Operations).
Founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney—then assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut—the Knights of Columbus began as a mutual benefit society for working-class and immigrant Catholics. Its mission was to provide financial aid and assistance to sick, disabled, and needy parish members and their families, while promoting charity, unity, and fraternity.
Over the past 143 years, the organization has grown into a global force with more than 17,000 councils and nearly 2.1 million members worldwide. In addition to its insurance program, the Knights support refugee relief, Catholic education, local parishes and dioceses, and international Catholic social causes.
“As a member of the Knights of Columbus for 31 years, I am honored to be elected State Deputy this year for the California State Council,” Ken Rose stated. “It all started in a video store in downtown Newman. “Remember those? Our family would regularly stop by the video store and John Homen would talk about this great Catholic organization called the Knights of Columbus. Even when my wife, Julie, would come in he would ask when I would be joining. On August 1st, 1994, I joined Council #2517,” Rose said.
At the time it was the only council on the Westside including Newman, Gustine, Patterson, Tracy and Los Banos. Over the next few years, however, new councils would sprout to support their home parishes.
“We had moved to Newman in 1989 from San Jose and went to church at St. Joachim’s in Newman for a few years, but found that the Our Lady of Miracles (OLM) in Gustine was a better fit for our family,” Rose explained. “I was one of the charter members of the OLM Gustine Council #11653 on October 23, 1995 along with the other 105 members (about 30 from Newman’s council, and about 75 brand new members, all of whom were parishioners of OLM at the time). We wanted to establish a council to support our own parish directly and serve our fellow parishioners.”
Serving on his local council through various positions including Grand Knight afforded Rose the opportunity to serve and grow within the council. From pancake breakfasts and linguica booths to coat drives and golf tournaments, the Knights of Columbus raised funds and donated back to the local community. One example is through a scholarship program open to all graduating seniors at both Gustine High School and Orestimba High School, through fundraising efforts like the annual Fireworks Booth at the (now) Dollar General parking lot. “Our parish at OLM has many parishioners from both Gustine and Newman, so as a council we decided to give scholarships to schools from both towns,” Rose noted.
The road to the state council was rooted in Rose’s dedication to helping his brother Knights across the state in various capacities. He was elected as a District Deputy in 2008, which was when Rose’s involvements started multiplying. While continuing to serve with his local chapter, he was elected to also serve as a District Deputy in 2008. “Serving as District Deputy afforded me the opportunity to help councils across the valley increase their membership,” Rose stated.
In 2010 his efforts were recognized and a path to keep saying “yes” to more responsibilities was paved. “I served as Chapter President for the Central California Chapter from 2010-2013 and was selected as a California delegate to the National Supreme Convention in 2013 in San Antonio, Texas. It was a great honor,” Rose noted.
Sandwiched in between his involvements within the Knights, he also joined the Fourth Degree (Patriotic arm of the Knights) in 1996 (through All Saints Westside Assembly). In 2006 he was selected as Faithful Navigator for the All Saints Westside Assembly #2447. He also served as Marshal in 2013. These involvements in the Fourth Degree added to his growing resume of knowledge and leadership within the organization.
“In 2016 I was appointed by Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, to serve as Master of the Central California District,” Rose stated. The State of California has over 732 councils that are within 16 districts, including the Central California District. “As Master of the Central California District, I increased membership over the four year term by 894 new Sir Knights. This was accomplished by adopting smaller Exemplifications and utilizing local Parishes and Assemblies instead of Large Hotels. I also instituted a new Assembly and laid the groundwork for two more, before COVID-19,” Rose explained. Exemplifications are ceremonies that initiate new members to the councils. “By encouraging smaller Exemplifications we were able to reach more members and celebrate within their local parish, keeping the focus on their faith, family, and fraternity at a local level,” Rose noted.
After serving as Master, Rose was appointed to leadership roles on the State Council for new council development and as the online membership chairman. These roles afforded him the opportunity to interact with councils across the state and help them grow. In 2021 Rose was elected Warden for the State Council. Each year he was elected and moved up the ranks as Advocate (2022), Treasurer (2023), Secretary (2024), and now as State Deputy (2025).
Each State Deputy has a focus mission each year of what they hope to accomplish during their tenure. Centering on communities, vocations, campesinos, and food drives, are three of the major focal points for Rose this year. Rose encourages all councils to have an event to highlight and support vocations within the church. “We need to encourage and support our Catholic men and women pursuing faith vocations.” Rose also invites all councils to support The Knights of Columbus Campesino Program with an event of their own. The Campesino Program, in conjunction with Catholic Charities, provides services to support farmworkers and their families. “I also would like councils to host a ‘Joseph’s Table’ event to help local food banks at least once this year,” Rose stated. The ideas come down to the idea of making communities stronger and fosters the idea of “brothers helping brothers.” Growing the membership is always a goal for any State Deputy. “If we do our job right and focus on helping the communities, our membership will grow naturally,” Rose encouraged.
“Not all Catholic men need to join the Knights,” Rose said. “They all deserve to be Knights and should want to join the Knights. If they don’t see the value of joining, then we aren’t doing our job and need to assess what their community needs.” When others ask him what he wants them to do, he simply responds, “How can the State Council help you thrive?” Rose’s intentions are clear. If help is needed, he knows a Brother Knight nearby who is willing to serve across the state.
