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​​​​​The leadership of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks got down to business with the first business session of the 160th Grand Lodge Session and elected Bryan R. Klatt, of DeKalb, IL Lodge No. 765, as Grand Exalted Ruler for the 2025–2026 year. Klatt has been an Elk since 1985, when he joined the DeKalb Lodge. He was an active and dedicated Member, serving as Exalted Ruler in 1989–1990 and as Secretary from 1998 to 2009. He served the Illinois Elks Association as Vice President of the North Central District in 1992–1993, as State Chaplain and State Americanism Committee Chairman in 1993–1994, as Third (1994–1995), Second (1995–1996), and First (1996–1997) Vice President, and as State President in 1997–1998. Among other roles, Klatt served as Chairman of the Advisory Committee in 2000–2001, Chairman of the IEA Convention Committee from 2002 to 2004, and as Chairman of the Leading Knight/Officer Training Seminars from 1998 to 2008. At the Grand Lodge level, Klatt served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 1994–1995. He served on the Membership Committee from 2001 to 2008, serving as Chairman from 2005 to 2007. He served as Co-Chairman of the LouGER Committee to then Endorsed Candidate for Grand Exalted Ruler F. Louis Sulsberger and served in the position of Grand Secretary from July 2008 to June 2025. The announcement of the election was followed by an exuberant celebration as supporters from Klatt’s Area 5 streamed into the hall. Once the celebration subsided, the newly elected Grand Exalted Ruler spoke about his vision for the Order, which is expressed in his theme for the year: “Be The Difference.” He spoke of various ways Elks can be of service in their own communities and reminded the assembled Elks that “we cannot sit on our laurels. We—as in you and I— need to Be The Difference to elevate our Lodges to new levels.”