Benjamin W. “Ben” Polston, II

Ben Polston is married to Tammie Steadham Polston, and together they have three children: Dana, Leigh, and Makenzie. They are blessed with three sons-in-law—Daniel Reddock, Kevin Skinner, and Creighton Segars—and five grandchildren: Makinley, Bronlin, McKenzie, Penelope, and Foster.

Ben was born to Wes and Joy Polston in Dothan, Alabama, and was raised in Marianna, Florida, in the panhandle. Growing up on his family’s farm and cattle ranch, he learned the value of hard work and responsibility at an early age—operating a two-cylinder John Deere tractor by the age of nine (which, as he notes, might not be considered legal today). He was active in Boy Scouts, JROTC, and FFA, and in 1980 represented his high school in Agricultural Mechanics, winning the State of Florida competition.

He earned an Associate of Arts degree from Chipola Junior College and later graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Ben is currently in his 40th year with Standard Motor Products, Inc., where he serves as a Territory Sales Manager. Tammie is a business owner, operating both a hair salon and a Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio.

Ben and Tammie are active members of Rockdale Baptist Church in Conyers, Georgia. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, hunting, fishing, and playing golf.

Masonic and Fraternal Service

Ben’s Masonic journey is marked by distinguished service, leadership, and commitment across numerous bodies.

He is a Perpetual Member and Past Master of Golden Fleece Lodge No. 6 in Covington, Georgia, and a Perpetual Member of Cottondale Lodge No. 206 in Cottondale, Florida. In 2024, he had the honor of serving as Grand Master of Masons in Georgia.

At the Grand Lodge level, Ben served six years as Chairman of the Properties and Investment Committee and currently serves on both the Finance Committee and the Properties and Investment Committee.

In the York Rite, Ben is a Perpetual Member of the Covington York Rite Bodies, where he has served as High Priest of Covington Chapter No. 71, Illustrious Master of Covington Council No. 41, and Commander of St. Bernard Commandery No. 25. He currently serves as Secretary/Recorder. He was Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Georgia in 2016.

His honors include Royal Arch Mason of the Year, Cryptic Mason of the Year, the Knights Templar Cross of Honor, Knight Commander of the Temple, and the Ephraim Kirby Award (2025) from the General Grand Chapter. He has also received the Order of High Priesthood (currently serving as Degree Master for the State of Georgia), Order of the Silver Trowel, and Knights Crusader of the Cross. Ben has served as Past Webmaster for the York Rite of Georgia, Past Editor of the Knights Templar Magazine Supplement (Georgia), and currently serves as Webmaster for the Atlanta Masonic Library and General Grand Chapter Library website. He is Chairman of the Grand York Rite Perpetual Membership Committee.

Ben is a Life Member of the Royal Order of Scotland and has served as Past Sovereign of Alexander Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, where he currently serves as Recorder. He is currently serving as Intendent General for the Northern Jurisdiction of the Red Cross of Constantine in Georgia.

He is a Charter Member and Past Governor of W. Joe Clark York Rite College No. 203, receiving the Order of the Purple Cross in 2014. He is also a Past Prior of Cherokee Rose Priory No. 56, Knights of the York Cross of Honor, and Past Preceptor of Fidelitas Tabernacle No. LXXVII, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests.

In the Scottish Rite, Ben is a Perpetual Member and 33° Inspector General Honorary in the Valley of Atlanta. He served as Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection in 2014 and currently serves as Degree Master for the 14th Degree and KCCH Investiture for the State of Georgia. He is also a preceptor for the 30th Degree and a member of the 33rd Degree team. He is a Past President of the East Side Scottish Rite Association, has completed Master Craftsman I, II, and III, and serves as a Board Member of the Scottish Rite Foundation. He is also a member of the Intendant of the Building Society.

His additional affiliations include:

Knight Masons (Carl F. Lester, Jr. Council No. 65)

Allied Masonic Degrees (Henry Trooper Council No. 312 – Past Sovereign Master; Georgia Council No. 304; Augusta Council No. 327)

Order of St. Thomas of Acon (St. David Chapel No. 47)

Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (Georgia College)

Yaarab Shrine (Life Member), Knights of Mecca, and Alcovy Shrine Club

Past Director, Atlanta Court No. 91, Royal Order of Jesters

National Sojourners (Grand Masters Chapter No. 996 and Clarence Cohen Chapter No. 162)

Legion of Honor, Order of DeMolay (2023), and Life Member of George Washington Memorial Alumni Chapter No. 11889

Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte (Great Priory of America)

Tall Cedars of Lebanon (Georgia Forest No. 181)

Sons of Confederate Veterans

Sons of the American Revolution