Vasa Order of America National Archives
The Vasa Order of America National Archives, Inc. is incorporated in the State of Illinois under the "Not for profit act." making it a 501 (c) 3 organization. The Archives Board is charged with the operation and maintenance of the Archives. It is their duty to promote the activities of the Archives. They are elected for four-year terms at a Grand Lodge Convention. The Archivist-Manager is responsible to the Archives Board for the day-to-day operation of the Archives Building and projects, which include maintenance of membership and genealogy computer databases, the library, paper and photographic archives, and artifacts.
2026 - 2030 Vasa Order of America National Archive Board
John “Jack” Hanright now sits as the VOANA President having previously served as the Grand Master of the Vasa Order of America. He served on the Board for years before assuming the position as Board President. He and his wife Inger have served several different positions at their local lodges, District Lodge New Jersey #6 and at the Grand Lodge.
Tom Cleveland serves the Vasa Order as Vice Grand Master and has filled many roles in his local lodge Viljan #346, District Lodge Lake Michigan #8, and for the Grand Lodge. He routinely volunteers to help with the maintenance and take care of Vasa Park in S. Elgin, IL and the Vasa National Archives.
Elve DeFeo is the Secretary of the VOANA. She is an active fifty-year Vasa member. She is Past Chairman of Gothiod Lodge, No. 486, and has held several offices in District Lodge New Jersey No. 6. She retired after working as a legal administrative assistant for over thirty years. Elve and her husband, Kevin, enjoy traveling, both domestically and internationally.
Antonion Spargo joined the VNA Board in 2022. He has filled many roles for his local lodge Runeberg #127, District Lodge Minnesota #7, and for the Grand Lodge.
Julie Olson is former Chairman of her local Washington, DC lodge, Drott #168, Past District Master of Pennsylvania No. 9, has served as the Grand Lodge Deputy and currently serves as the Grand Lodge Executive Board Member for the Midwest Region. She is active in her local lodge and in the Nordic Dances of Washington, DC.
Kevin DeFeo is the VOANA Treasurer and the current Grand Treasurer of the Vasa Order of America Grand Lodge. He is the Past District Master of NJ District #6 and his home lodge is Baltic-Framat #360. He is the Active Long-time Cultural Leader of Local Lodge Gothiod #486. He previously held many offices in his Local Lodges and his District. He also previously served 14 years on the Board of Trustees for New Jersey Vasa Home (aka Vasa Park NJ).
Roy Swenson has been active in the Bishop Hill, IL community for several years. He is proud of his Swedish heritage and actively promotes Swedish American traditions, culture, and heritage. He eagerly joined lodge Bishop Hill #683, serves as Secretary, and participates in various lodge activities. He fills several roles for the District Lodge Lake Michigan #8 and the Grand Lodge.
Charlotte Börjesson has been an active Vasa member for years serving both her local lodge and district lodge. Her hobbies include genealogy and finding hidden relatives.
Susan Cleveland has served her local lodge Viljan #346 in many different roles and filled many different roles for District Lodge Lake Michigan #8. She has also assisted the Grand Lodge in many different capacities, including arranging the 2026 Convention.
Kathy Cuff moved from Tennessee in 2015 and immediately jumped into the local Swedish history and culture of Bishop Hill, IL. She has been busy with updating and improving our collection management and making collections available online. She is more than willing to help you with your research requests.