Executive Director Transition
Following nine months (and a lifetime) of dedicated service, our Executive Director, Phil Sutton, has chosen to step down. We are incredibly grateful for his leadership and the hard work he put into guiding Acacia Fraternity, especially in helping to improve our financial outlook. Brother Sutton also worked hard to build the value proposition for our undergraduate members, focusing on professional development opportunities. He was also instrumental in developing a strategic plan to outline the fraternity’s future efforts.
Moving forward, it is with great excitement that we announce a new approach to the leadership of our beloved Fraternity. Effective immediately, we will separate the Operational aspects of the Fraternity’s Business from our Communications. As such, we are appointing Michael Weber the Executive Director of Operations and Growth and Benjamin Turconi as the Executive Director for Communications, Marketing, and Foundation Support. Both of these appointments are on an interim basis while we make necessary adjustments to roles and responsibilities based on the learnings from the new structure. While the Executive Director of Operations and Growth will continue to operate under the International Council and be responsible for the short- and long-term operations of the Fraternity, the Executive Director for Communications, Marketing, and Foundation Support will report jointly to International Council, Acacia Fraternity Foundation, and Acacia Fraternity National Housing Corporation and have responsibility for ensuring effective internal and external communications for all three. At present, all other members of staff will report to Brother Weber. One of the first areas of responsibility for Brother Turconi will be to determine his staffing needs.
Benjamin Turconi, California ‘12, earned his Bachelor of Arts in Art History with a Minor in Rhetoric from the University of California, Berkeley. During his time as an undergraduate, Brother Turconi served Acacia as Venerable Dean, House Manager, and Historian. He also worked on campus as a teaching assistant and as an intern in the Berkeley Student Leadership & Engagement Center at UC Berkeley, focusing on Greek Affairs. Benjamin’s dedication to service extends beyond Acacia, having served as the International Master Councilor for DeMolay International and as a Past Jurisdictional Master Councilor of Northern California DeMolay. He is also a Master Mason of Windsor Lodge #181 and a member of the San Francisco Valley of Scottish Rite.
Benjamin joined Acacia's staff in 2015 as the Associate Director of Operations, then transitioned to the Director of Membership Development, and since 2017, he has served as the Director of Communications and Education. In recognition of his contributions to the fraternity, Benjamin was awarded the Order of Pythagoras and recently received the prestigious Award of Merit at the 2024 Conclave. Outside of work, Benjamin enjoys renovating his 1947 home and volunteering with DeMolay, serving as the Conference Director for the Pacific Coast DeMolay Leadership Conference and as an advisor to international committees for Marketing and Membership.
Michael Weber, Iowa State ‘06, earned his Bachelor of Science in Family, Finance, Housing & Policy, with a minor in Sociology from Iowa State University. Michael was a leader in his chapter, serving as Venerable Dean, Secretary, Chaplain, and Junior Steward. He was actively involved on campus as Speaker of the Senate for the Government of the Student Body, and held key roles in VEISHEA, including Business Manager and General Co-Chair of the event.
Michael joined the Acacia Headquarters staff in 2013 shortly after graduation, starting as Director of Expansion before moving into the role of Director of Operations. In 2016, he was promoted to Assistant Executive Director. Michael has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the fraternity, receiving both the Order of Pythagoras and the Award of Merit. Outside of his professional life, Michael enjoys spending time with his son Jack, who is almost 4 years old and a future Cyclone—and possibly a future Acacian!
We are excited for the continued growth and success of Acacia under Benjamin and Michael’s leadership, and we look forward to the great work they will accomplish together in these new roles.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Benjamin at bturconi@acacia.org or Michael at mweber@acacia.org.
Fraternally,
Justin Kaplan
International President
Acacia Fraternity International Council