Presenter Bios

Below are the biographies of our core presenters. Not all of them will present at every colloquium, and some events will have guest presenters.

CRAIG BERRY

Craig Berry joined O.T.O. in 1987e.v. He has held a variety of leadership positions in the Order, at the local level (Master of Baphomet Lodge and Deputy Master of LVX Oasis, among others) and the national level (Bishop of EGC, member of the Grand Tribunal, U.S.G.L. Internet Secretary). Despite his appearance of leading an entirely virtual existence, he does occupy a physical body in Los Angeles, where he lives with his daughter Lenore. Among his personal areas of research are the role of humor in magick and the culture and philosophy of the ancient Aztecs. Email Craig...

LITA-LUISE CHAPPELL

Lita-Luise Chappell (Soror Lutea) became an O.T.O. member in February of 199 e.v.. She was granted a Camp Charter in 1999e.v., and continues to act as Master of Golden Lotus Oasis. In February of 2000e.v., she became an ordained Priestess. In 2005e.v., a member of the Grand Tribunal. In July of 2006e.v., she became a Bishop (T. Luisa) of E.G.C and an S.G.I.G. Lita has been a member of the Psychology Guild since 2000, a presenter on the Pastoral Counseling team, a presenter at NOTOCON, the Woman's Symposium, and joined the Kaaba team in 2007e.v.

She received her M.A. in Psychology with an emphasis in Health Education from the University for Humanistic Studies in San Diego in 1989e.v., is a certified Mind-Body Hypnotherapist and a Neuro-Linguistics practitioner, both since 1996e.v. She completed her Doctorate in Human Sexuality at the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco in early 2008e.v. and is a member of the American College of Sexologists. She presently is in private practice as a sex therapist in Irvine, California.

She lives in Laguna Hills, California with her husband Vere Chappell (Frater SLQ), with whom she performs the Gnostic Mass monthly. Email Lita...

VERE CHAPPELL

Vere Chappell (Frater SLQ) began studying and practicing magick over twenty-five years ago, and joined O.T.O. in 1989e.v. Shortly thereafter, he founded LVX Camp in Los Angeles and served as its master for eight years, leading it through Oasis to become a Lodge. In 1997e.v. he was appointed Grand Treasurer General for U.S. Grand Lodge, and in 2005e.v. he became Treasurer General for the O.T.O. worldwide. He continues to serve US Grand Lodge as a Sovereign Grand Inspector General and as Most Wise Sovereign of Babalon Chapter in Los Angeles. He is chartered to initiate through the KRE degree and has conducted numerous initiations over the last fifteen years. He is also a Bishop of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica and celebrates the Gnostic Mass monthly. Professionally, Bro. Chappell earned his MBA from Pepperdine University and is certified in Nonprofit Financial Planning and Management by California State University, Fullerton. He also has a doctoral degree in Human Sexuality and has published several articles about sex and spirituality. His first book, Sexual Outlaw, Erotic Mystic: The Essential Ida Craddock, was published by Red Wheel/Weiser this year. He lives in Southern California with his lovely wife and priestess, Lita-Luise, and their feline familiar. Email Vere...

HANK HADEED

Hank Hadeed (Frater Diapason) has been an initiate member of O.T.O. since 1991e.v., and currently serves as the Grand Treasurer General for O.T.O. U.S.A. He held the office of Body Master for Sekhet-Maat Lodge in Portland, Oregon from 1999-2004e.v. He is also active as Treasurer of the National Conference Committee, Chartered Initiator, Initiator Trainer, MWS of Psyche-Eros R+C Chapter, EGC Bishop, and SGIG. Email Hank...

BETH KIMBELL

Sister Beth Kimbell has been an initiate of the O.T.O. since Anno IVix. She has held most positions at her home body of Knights Templar Oasis, in Salem, MA, and remains active as local Initiation Chair, Initiator, E.G.C. Priestess, Special Events Coordinator, sometime class facilitator, and Newsletter Editor. She is also a long-time member of Sekhet-Maat Lodge in Portland, OR and newly a member of Tahuti Lodge and Tahuti Chapter in New York City and Psyche-Eros Chapter in the Pacific Northwest.

She is heavily active in the conference arena having coordinated NOTOCON VI, Anno IVxv, and since then serving as National Conference Committee Secretary for U.S.G.L., speaking at several conferences of Thelemic and Kink natures, and was appointed U.S.G.L. Kaaba Coordinator, Anno IVxvii. She joined the Electoral College on Anno IVxviii Sol 23° Libra, Luna 12° Aquarius Dies Saturnii. See her longer bio at hermetic.com.

In her spare time, she attempts to uplift humanity by setting a good example and doing the Work; practices magick; plays D&D; plans events for charity; advocates for sexual freedom; and caters the rare wedding; but, spends most of her down time reading, writing her next essay or ritual, and compulsively rearranging her home, which she soon hopes to share with a feline companion.

Her Latin motto is 'Superius Exemplar Semper Praebeo', colloquially meaning 'I always raise the bar', reflecting her constant drive to improvement. She likes things 'Just-So' and idolizes Benjamin Franklin. Email Beth...

ELIZA MCBRYDE

Eliza McBryde formerly served as deputy master and treasurer of Sekhet-Maat Lodge in Portland, Oregon. She was seated on the Electoral College in 2001e.v. and remains an active member of her local lodge. She previously served as National Conference Committee Chair for U.S.G.L. Her work on the College has included designing and implementing the Mentor Program and the Camp in Formation Program. She serves as the Kaaba Colloquium Committee Chair. Email Eliza...

DIONYSIUS ROGERS

M. Dionysius Rogers (Fr. Paradoxos Alpha) joined O.T.O. in 1992e.v. He has served as the Secretary of Scarlet Woman Oasis, an Assistant Secretary General for O.T.O. International, the founder and choregus of the Unknown Rivers Thelemic Choir, and Master of Scarlet Woman Lodge from 2000 to 2003e.v. He was also the principal organizer of the original Kaaba Colloquium regional O.T.O. leadership training event first help in Austin in 2000e.v. As T Polyphilus, he is currently an active Bishop of EGC, a Certified Initiator Trainer in MMM, and a member of the U.S.G.L. Strategic Planning Committee. He is a member of Aum Ha Oasis and Ouarda Chapter. Email Dionysius or visit his website...

FRATER HRUMACHIS

Frater Hrumachis is the Public Information Officer of Ordo Templi Orientis USA. He is the Past Master of L.V.X. Lodge in Los Angeles, where he served in that capacity from 1997 to 2000e.v. and currently serves as Camp Information Officer for The Star & the Snake Camp in Ashland, Oregon. He also the Past Ombudsman of O.T.O., a past member of the Committee of Four for Psyche-Eros Chapter, Rose Croix and currently sits on the O.T.O. Education Committee.

He has hosted and presented regular classes, workshops and Thelemic events and celebrations for the over 10 years, has presented at NOTOCON and maintains an active role in building local Thelemic community. In 1999e.v. he was ordained as priest of EGC and established Dove and Serpent Sanctuary with his wife and priestess, Soror Ashera. He is a ritualist, performer, teacher and student of Hermeticism and Thelemic Magick and currently facilitates the College of Hermetic Arts and Occult Sciences (C.H.A.O.S). He works as a freelance producer and filmmaker. Frater Hrumachis, Soror Ashera and their "crowned & conquering" child Lionel are currently living, loving and learning much from each other in the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon. Email Fr. Hrumachis, or snail mail him at: P.O. Box 3008, Ashland, OR 97520.