MADAWASKA – A local man Tuesday begins his two-year term as state deputy of the Knights of Columbus in Maine.

Gerry Martin hosted the organization’s summer meeting June 20-22 in the St. John Valley. Local organization members from Van Buren, Caribou, Fort Kent, Grand Isle and Eagle Lake attended along with Gilles Belanger of Quebec, the supreme representative.

The road to heading the organization is long, according to Mark Bourgoin, state publicity chairman. Before becoming head of the organization, Martin served on the board as warden, advocate, treasurer and secretary, and elected deputy. After he completes that term, he will serve two years as immediate past state deputy. In all, Martin’s commitment to leadership is 12 years.

The Knights of Columbus is a 125-year-old Roman Catholic fraternal benefit society with headquarters in Connecticut.