Omar Leadership

Leslie Stewart, M.D., Past Potentate of Omar Shrine

Leslie Stewart, M.D. Past Potentate of Omar Shrine, of Memphis, Tennessee, is serving his first three-year term on the Shriners Hospitals for Children® Board of Trustees. He was elected on July 11, 2020, in Tampa Florida.

Fraternity and Philanthropy

• Master Mason, Alpine Lodge #208, 1983
• Member, James Island Lodge #396
• Omar Shriners, Charleston, South Carolina, 1984
• Member, Directors Staff, Provost Guard and other units, Omar Shriners
• Potentate, Omar Shriners, 2004; guided temple to first net gain in membership in 25 years, balanced budget and left surplus
• Vice President, Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, 2003–2004
• Board of Governors, Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas
• Emeritus Representative, South Atlantic Shrine Association
• Member, Cabiri International
• 32nd Degree, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Charleston
• Life Member, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, 1984

Education

• Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, College of Charleston, 1978
• Doctor of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, 1983
• Internship, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 1985
• Residency, General Surgery, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, 1986–1989
• Fellowship, General Vascular Surgery, Department Surgery, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, 1989–1990

Personal and Professional

Dr. Stewart practiced general, vascular and trauma surgery in Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee for more than 35 years. Positions he has held include surgery department and trauma department chairman. He has been a member of hospital executive committees and search committees for hospital officers. He has also been a consultant to numerous health care organizations. Dr. Stewart is certified in surgery and vascular surgery by the American Board of Surgery and is a Diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners.

Dr. Stewart is proudly supported by his lady Megan, a nurse practitioner, and his three children, Jamison, Timothy and Collyns. He loves spending time with family, hunting and fishing. They have a sweet AKC registered yellow Lab, Nala Jane.

Kenneth G. “Kenny” Craven, Imperial Potentate

Kenneth G. “Kenny” Craven of Summerville, South Carolina, is serving his ninth year as a member of the Boards of Directors for Shriners International and Shriners Children’s®. He was elected Imperial Potentate, part of the 12-member body that helps govern the Shriners fraternity, during the Shriners 2022 Imperial Session held July 2–7 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Fraternity and Philanthropy

• Master Mason, Summerville Lodge #234
• Worshipful Master, Summerville Lodge #234, 1994
• Founder, “Smoke at the Lodge” barbeque competition, an event he developed into the largest Masonic fundraiser in South Carolina
• Member, Omar Shriners, Charleston, South Carolina, 1988
• Potentate, Omar Shriners, 2012. While he served in that role, the temple achieved Gold Membership status, with gains for the first time since 2008
• Creator, Beach Boogie BBQ Festival, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 2006
• Emeritus member, Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas
• Founding member, Ford Motor Company Program for Shriners Hospitals for Children
• Honorary Legion of Honor, DeMolay International
• Past chairman of the East-West Shrine Bowl, Shriners Children’s College Classic, and Imperial Sports committees
• During tenure as a board member, helped establish partnership with ESPN for the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic
• Developed affiliation agreement with Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) for an official Shriners pediatric burn center in Charleston

Personal and Professional

Craven is an experienced member of the automotive industry. Craven serves on the Board of Directors of the Charleston Restaurant Association, a nonprofit organization that now recognizes Shriners Children’s as its official charity. He has an active role in supporting the Joe Gibbs Game Plan for Life ministry and regularly hosts prayer breakfasts with Coach Gibbs at Shriners International temples across North America.

Craven and his wife, Jennifer, have been together for 22 years. Craven has one daughter, Stacey, who served as Queen of the Charleston Daughters of the Nile. He is the proud grandfather of Ella Grace. Several men in Craven’s family are members of Omar Shriners and the Shriners' Legacy Program. In his spare time, Craven enjoys boating, hunting and, during football season, watching the Washington Commanders and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.