CARMEL, IN (July 15, 2026) – During Theta Chi’s 170th Anniversary Convention, delegates elected the 2026/2028 Grand Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity. International Vice President Alan B. Copeland was elected International President, and International Secretary Dr. James A. Black was elected International Vice President.
The 2026/2028 Grand Chapter is as follows:
- International President – Alan B. Copeland (Zeta Beta/Adrian 1989)
- International Vice President – Dr. James A. Black (Gamma Rho/Florida State 2008)
- International Secretary – Thomas N. Thompson (Rho/Illinois 1998)
- International Treasurer – Kelly J. Linster (Phi/North Dakota State 1991)
- International Counselor – Daren W. “Len” Jenson (Alpha Pi/Minnesota 1995)
- International Marshal – Devin O. Cooley (Alpha Rho/Washington 2010)
- International Chaplain – Steve W. Gonzalez (Zeta Pi/Old Dominion 1998)
- International Historian – James J. McMahon (Zeta Epsilon/Long Beach State 1979)
- Chief Executive Officer (ex-officio) – Michael J. Mayer (Epsilon Phi/Central Missouri 2004)
Dr. James Black and Steve Gonzalez were reelected by the Convention delegates to their second term on the Grand Chapter. Devin Cooley and Len Jenson were elected to their first term.
Brothers Alan Copeland, Jim McMahon, and Tom Thompson will each complete their second term of service and retire from the Grand Chapter in 2028 at the 172nd Anniversary Convention. Kelly Linster will complete his first term of service in 2028 and will be eligible for nomination to be reelected for a second term.
Brother Copeland succeeds Toby B. Roth (Alpha Phi/Alabama 1990) as International President after serving two years as International Vice President.
Brother Roth concludes eight years of distinguished service on the Grand Chapter, having first been elected in 2018 during the 162nd Anniversary Convention. In 2022, he was reelected for a second term and also elected International Vice President during the 166th Anniversary Convention. He was elected International President in 2024 in New Orleans during the 168th Anniversary Convention.
The Fraternity also extends its sincere appreciation to Brother Richard P. Santoriello (Epsilon Sigma/Wagner 1987), who concludes his service on the Grand Chapter after serving as International Counselor from 2022 to 2026.
Brothers Roth and Santoriello each received the Grand Chapter Service Plaque as well as a special courtesy resolution from the delegates of the International Convention in gratitude for their brotherhood and service.
About the Grand Chapter:
The Fraternity’s Board of Directors, known as the Grand Chapter, serves as Theta Chi’s supreme administrative, executive, and judicial body. It is composed of eight alumnus volunteers and the Chief Executive Officer, who serves as an ex-officio member.
Established during Theta Chi’s 52nd Anniversary Convention in 1908, the Grand Chapter meets throughout the year to conduct Fraternity business, establish policy, and guide the strategic direction of the organization.
Board members serve four-year terms and may serve no more than two consecutive terms. Elections are held every two years during Theta Chi’s International Convention.