The one hundred fifty-seventh Grand Master of Kansas was born on December 6, 1965, at the 97th General Army Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany. David W. “Dave” Hendricks, the eldest son of Donald and Lynne Hendricks, spent over nine years of his childhood in Germany and England before relocating to Kansas in 1981. He graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1983 and later earned a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Emporia State University in 1990.

Hendricks is a Past Master and currently serves as Secretary of both Emporia Lodge No. 12 and Tuscan Lodge No. 460, Kansas’ affinity lodge for Masonic leadership. He is also a member of the Kansas Lodge of Research and attends Anchor Lodge No. 224 in Willamsburg. He is a four-time Past Patron of Miriam Chapter No. 15, OES, and served as Worth Grand Patron in 2023-2024. His additional Masonic affiliations include the Topeka York Rite Bodies, Kaw Valley Scottish Rite and Arab Shrine.

Throughout his Masonic career, he has held numerous Grand Lodge positions, including District Deputy Grand Master (1999, 2000, 2018), Area Deputy Grand Master (2003), Grand Junior Steward (2002), Grand Sword Bearer (2004), Grand Standard Bearer (2007), Grand Pursuivant (2014), Grand Senior Steward (2020), Grand Tyler (2021), and Grand Senior Deacon (2022). He was elected Grand Junior Warden in 2023. In 2019, he received the Distinguished Service Medal, one of the highest honors in Kansas Freemasonry.

In 2008, he joined St. John Lodge No. 14 in Emporia, a constituent Lodge of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Kansas, and served as Worshipful Master from 2010 to 2013, becoming the first Kansas A.F. & A.M. Mason to lead a Prince Hall Lodge in the state.

His service to the Kansas Masonic Foundation includes terms a board member (2011-2015, 2023-present) and as Director of Development (2015-2020).

Hendricks and his wife of 33 years, Shanda, have two adult children. Their son Danny resides in Olathe and is the current Worshipful Master of Emporia Lodge No. 12 and Past Master of Justice Lodge No. 457. Their daughter, Kelsey, lives in Olathe, serves as Assistant Director of a daycare, and is married to Tanner Willis. Dave’s first grandchild, Brodie Luke, is a particular source of joy.

Professionally, Hendricks has more than 30 years of experience in facilities management, including 25 years at Emporia State University, where he served as Director of the Memorial Union and Campus Planning. He is now the Director of Resource Management for The Family Initiative, a child welfare agency, overseeing 48 facilities across four states and managing a 242-vehicle motor pool. Over his career, he has directed more than $30 million in construction and renovation projects and managed multiple multi-million dollar operating budgets.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, playing golf, and watching sporting events.