Jerold Jay Samet was born in Washington, D.C. on December 10, 1944. He was educated in the public schools of the District of Columbia, in Montgomery County and at the University of Maryland. On May 1, 2001, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities from Glencullen University in Ireland for his humanitarian and philanthropic work worldwide.
He has done extensive work in the Masonic community, including serving as Grand Master of DeMolay in 1992, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia in 1991, and Worthy Grand Patron in DC of the Order of the Eastern Star in 2009. In addition he is a member, or honorary member of many lodges and orders around the world. The is now the Editor of the international Eastern Star Journal.
He was elected Honorary Citizen of the City of Takoma Park, Maryland in 1973 and has been recognized since by many organizations for his community involvement. In July of 1990 they gave him the Key to the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas by Mayor Hubert Brodell and made an Arkansas Traveler by Governor Bill Clinton. The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations has recognized him as well. He is also a member of Friendship Lodge #12, International Order of Odd Fellows, where he served as a trustee. He was honored as Citizen of the World by Markham College in Lima Peru in 2007 at their 60th Anniversary with the President of Peru, Alan Garcia. In 2008 he was honored by the US Congress and was presented by Congressman Chris Van Hollen with a Congressional Citation for “Outstanding dedication and service as an educator, philanthropist and community leader on behalf of Youth and Citizen Diplomacy.
Jerry was the owner and president of M. Stein & Company, the oldest formalwear establishment in the Washington, D.C. area from 1969 until 2001. In 2007 he was made International Honorary President of the charitable foundation “World Life Institute”. He serves as founding Chairman of the Board of the Albert's H. and Constance Saunders Foundation, as the founding Chairman of the Board of the Bernard E. Shultz Foundation, as President of the Margaret M. and Jerold J. Samet Foundation, a Board Member of the Eagle Scout Foundation, Chairman of the Board of the Children with a Future Foundation, and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Youth Leaders International.
