Profile of a Mason

Gregory Eugene Semrow, 33°

Greg Semrow is considered a “transplanted Yankee“. He was born, matured, and educated in Connecticut where he lived many years before moving to Tennessee in 1998. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, attended public schools in Connecticut before he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Connecticut in 1982.

Greg is married to the former Karen Lewin. They have two daughters and one granddaughter and make their home in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

Greg has worked in the surety business for 39 years. Currently he is Vice President of contract surety for Sompo International, a Japanese insurance company that operates worldwide in over twenty-five countries. The surety operation is based in Mount Juliet, Tennessee with their general insurance operations based in Bermuda and New York City. It is the 12th largest surety company in the United States.

Greg explains the surety bond business is a form of insurance that differs in that it serves as a guarantee of the performance of a contract. For example, in the event of a default by the contractor of a construction project, the surety would step in and complete the work, so as to fulfill the construction contract.

Greg became a Mason in 2004 in Mount Juliet Lodge #642, where he served as Worshipful Master in 2010. He has been conducting Masonic funerals for the lodge since 2008. He is Chairman of the Lodge Funeral Committee. He is a member of the Royal Order of Scotland, the York Rite and was Past Chief in 2022 of the Knight Masons.

Greg became a Scottish Rite Mason in 2005. He is Chairman of the Lighting Committee. That is one of many low profile but important jobs with the Scottish Rite for he has little direct contact with members of the class in a reunion. But lighting during the degree presentations has great impact on every candidate. Each one of us has a vivid memory of the lighting, and sometimes the lack there of, during a reunion as illustrated during the 18th°. Greg was recognized for his participation when he was made a 33° honorary in 2023.

In his family, his grandfather and great uncle were Masons. He is proudly continuing the Masonic tradition. The Scottish Rite Valley of Nashville is fortunate to have men of the caliber of Greg Semrow in a position of importance and responsibility. Thank you, Greg, for all you do for Masonry and the Scottish Rite.