During the 80th Convention & Brotherhood Weekend in Orlando, Florida, August 10–12, 2023, the Convention elected King V. Aiken, Jr. (Kappa–Mercer ’83) as the 42nd Knight Commander, succeeding C. Douglas Simmons III (Beta Tau–Mississippi State ’95) who served two prior terms.
The Convention also elected James M. “Jim” Schmuck (Alpha Eta–Westminster ’69) as Senior Councilor. Prior to the Convention Session at which elections were scheduled, Councilor Stephen J. LaFollette (Delta Phi–Jacksonville State ’84) informed then Knight Commander Simmons that he would not seek reelection. The Order thanks Brother LaFollette for his service. The following five brothers were elected as Councilors:
L. Blair Bailey (Gamma Eta–Florida State ’88)
Derick S. Close (Alpha Omega–North Carolina State ’78)
Malcolm H. Liles (Gamma–Georgia ’71)
David T. Martineau V (Alpha Upsilon–Mississippi ’88)
Robert H. “Rob” Wall (Tau–Wake Forest ’95)
King V. Aiken, Jr.
King V. Aiken, Jr., was initiated in 1983 by the Kappa Chapter at Mercer University where he served as the Number I.
After graduating from Mercer in 1987, he began his career in restaurant franchise operations, working for Chick-fil-A, Krystal, and Schlotzky’s. Today, King is the Director of Franchise Operations for Huddle House Inc., and has been recognized twice with that corporation’s Eagle Award for outstanding leadership. As director of franchise operations, King oversees all aspects of the operation of business development, construction, marketing, implementation, operational execution and financial reporting.
King also severs on the board of directors of Parglobal a petrochemical concern based in Georgia.
King has been very active in his church leadership, currently serving as a member of the Vestry and financial chair for Saint James’ Episcopal Church located in Cedartown, Georgia.
King has almost 30 years of KA alumni leadership and experience. He first served the Order as President of the Thomasville, Georgia Alumni Chapter. He was selected as the Commander of the John L. Hardeman Province, first from 1995 to 1998 and then again from 2006 to 2008. He was then elected by the Advisory Council to the Executive Council in 2008 and has served to the present. He was elected by the Executive Council to serve as Senior Councilor in 2020, and subsequently elected by the 79th Convention.
King has been inducted into the Crawford, Hamilton, Hardeman, Neal, and Smith Courts of Honor. He is a member of the Loyal Order, Forever KA, and a member of the KAOEF’s Crimson & Gold Society since 2014. In 2018, he received the Knight Commander’s Accolade.
King has three cousins along with one uncle that are all initiated members from Gamma Chapter at Georgia. His wife Ellen’s father as well and one uncle are initiates from Nu Chapter at Auburn, and her other uncle is from Gamma Chapter, and was active in that chapter with Councilor Malcolm Liles. Ellen and King’s nephew, Dan, is also an initiate from Zeta Chi Chapter from Kennesaw State.
King lives in Carrolton, Georgia, with his wife, Ellen, and has four children, Sara Ellen, Sam, Andrew, and Lily.
