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Richard G. Burke (Imperial Potentate)

 

Richard Burke headshot

Richard G. Burke of Buford, Georgia, is serving his 10th year as a member of the Boards of Directors for Shriners International and Shriners Children’s™. He was elected Imperial Potentate, head of the 12-member body that helps govern the Shriners fraternity, during the Shriners 2024 Imperial Session held June 30 through July 4 in Reno, Nevada.

Burke was born in Endicott, New York, and moved to Atlanta after graduating from college. From 1979 to 1988, he worked as a systems consultant for NCR and Texas Instruments, where he specialized in accounting systems, voice recognition and artificial intelligence systems. After that, he worked as an IT consultant.

In 1992, he joined Payment Technologies Inc. as a partner and vice president of information technology. After selling their initial business in 2002, Burke and his business partners formed a successful internet venture called Financial Operations Networks LLC. As chief information officer, Burke is responsible for online marketing, online development, search engine optimization and part of overall business strategy decisions. The remaining business channel processes millions of accounting transactions for major companies around the world.

Burke and his wife, Judy, have been married for 31 years. They enjoy spending time with their three children, their spouses and eight grandchildren, ages 17 to 24. Burke and his wife have dedicated their lives to raising awareness of Shriners International and Shriners Children’s since their granddaughter, Leah, received care for burn injuries at the Shriners Children’s location in Ohio in 2002.

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree, Business, minors in Accounting, Computer Science, State University of New York at Geneseo, 1979

Fraternities and Philanthropy

  • Master Mason, Buford Lodge #292, March, 2003
  • Yaarab Shriners, Atlanta, Georgia, 2003
  • President, Gwinnett Shrine Club, 2006
  • Potentate, Yaarab Shriners, 2014
  • Divan Member, Yaarab Shriners, 2008-2014, honored many times for fundraising efforts
  • Regional Imperial Public Relations Director, Southeast, 2009-2013
  • Member, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Atlanta
  • Chairman, Salaries, Personnel and Retirement, Shriners Children’s, 2019-2022
  • Chairman, Shriners Children’s College Classic, 2018-2021
  • Chairman, Membership Committee, 2019-2020
  • Chairman, Shriners Children’s Sports Committee, 2021-2023
  • Executive Committee Member, Donor Development, 2021-2022
  • Chairman, Philanthropy, 2023-2024
  • Chairman, Marketing and Communications, 2023-2024
  • Vice Chairman, Budget, 2022-2023
  • Chairman, Budget, 2023-2024
  • Chairman, Investments, 2023-2024

 

Why I Became a Shriner

‘Love to the Rescue’ – What it means to me…from my heart

By Richard G. Burke

Having grown up in middle-class America, I always thought that only the poor and unfortunate were in need of charity. I took most things for granted and considered charity only for others. All that changed 22 years ago. Our infant granddaughter, Leah, suffered critical injuries caused by an accidental scalding in the bathtub when she reached up and switched on the hot water.

Leah was rushed to Atlanta’s Grady Hospital by life flight where my wife and I met with a doctor who told us, “The best place for a burned child is Shriners Children’s in Ohio.” We were surprised to learn Shriners Children’s was dedicated to providing quality care regardless of families’ ability to pay or insurance status.

The doctor assured us that if this were his child, she would be at a Shriners Children’s burn hospital because they not only provide the best care available for children, but also the best environment for long-term care. The next thing we knew, a flight team from Ohio was on the way to pick up the family. Within 12 hours of her accident, Leah arrived with her parents at Shriners Children's Ohio, which was located in Cincinnati at that time.

My wife and I gathered what we needed for an undetermined time away and drove all night through thick fog from Atlanta to Ohio. We arrived by mid-morning and were escorted to the family section, where families stay while their children are in the critical care unit. The accommodations and hospitality were extraordinary, and the fact that these were provided at no cost to our family was unbelievable to us. In difficult times, keeping loved ones close by is so important, but what is unique is how well our family was treated and the burden that is relieved by the generosity of Shriners. That morning, we were given the news that Leah’s chance of survival was 50/50 because she was so badly burned over 80% of her little body.

Later that day, we toured the facility, seeing where leading-edge burn research takes place, saving children with burns over 90% or more of their bodies. We also met interns as they prepared to be future doctors. We later found out that the recommending doctor from Grady had interned at one of the Shriners Children’s burn hospitals. We saw where children are schooled while having procedures. We spoke with kids and their families about how great the care is and how the kids enjoy their time at the hospital. We met other children and families coming in for follow-up visits who praised the efforts of Shriners and felt indebted beyond their means to Shriners.

We visited the “Drivers Lounge,” where Shriners rested while their patient passengers had follow-up visits. These Shriners, known as “Road Runners,” came from as far as 750 miles or more and volunteered their time to drive vans with patients for follow-up appointments. We were told volunteer Shriners make the trip from Atlanta over 100 times per year.

While in the lobby, we learned all this is possible because of the generosity of Shriners, their current fundraising efforts and a large endowment fund. I was embarrassed to think I hardly ever lowered my car window to give to that Shriner on the street. I wondered why I did not know more about Shriners and Shriners Children’s hospitals I said, “If you will get me a fez and a bucket, I will stand out in the street every day while I am here.” After being told I had to be a Mason and a Shriner before I could do that, I took the first step and asked, “How do I become a Mason and a Shriner?” Charity entered my heart that day, and my life’s priorities changed for the better.

Today, I am proud to be a Shriner, and this year I am honored and humbled to be the Imperial Potentate (President & Chairman) for Shriners and Shriners Children’s locations all over the world.

Today, I truly understand the meaning of the phrase, “It is better to give than to receive.” Being a part of the Shriners community has changed our lives. My wife and I enjoy thousands of new friendships with equally committed volunteers who, along with our family, work to support Shriners Children’s. We participate in numerous fundraisers to not only raise money for our healthcare system but raise awareness of the great work Shriners do.

We can help more children if more people know what we do and why we are so passionate about our cause. I never thought I would be one of those men wearing a funny-looking hat collecting money to help kids. But, today, my wife and I dedicate a large part of our lives to doing our part to help children in need and giving back to an organization that has given so much to us. It is amazing how often someone comes up to me and sincerely says, “Thanks for all you do.”

For more information, please visit ShrinersInternational.org or ShrinersChildrens.org.

Imperial Sir Richard Burke

Meet Richard Burke, Imperial Potentate, Shriners International 2024-2025.

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