Utah Knight of Columbus named to multi-state office, responsible for growth and development

Friday, Sep. 19, 2025

BOUNTIFUL — Nick Nielson, a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Olaf Council in Bountiful, has been named Vice Supreme Master of the John H. Reddin Province, which encompasses Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.  

Nielson’s journey with the Knights of Columbus began in 2011 after he, a native Utahn, and his family moved back to the state from Florida. Joining the international Catholic fraternal organization was a way to become more involved, he said, adding that he was also looking for “some fraternity, some friendship,” all of which he found with the Knights.

“The Knights are the vehicle that I can serve my community and parish, and gives me a way of giving back,” he said. “It’s one thing to volunteer once in a great while, but this constantly provides opportunities for me to serve, to give back.”

Over the years Nielson has served in every leadership position in his council, including as Grand Knight from 2013 to 2015. When the Knights of Columbus started a new assembly in the area, he went on to become a faithful navigator, the head of the Msgr. Robert Pollock Assembly. He then served as district deputy. At the state level, he held every state officer position, which was warden, advocate and treasurer secretary, before being named  state deputy in 2020.

Last year, Nielson, who is a 4th degree Knight, (the highest level, known as the Patriotic Degree), was asked to serve as Utah District Master. Most recently, he was appointed Vice Supreme Master by Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and 4th Degree Supreme Master Michael McCusker, and is serving a two-year term, which began Sept. 1.

He is “ecstatic” about his new position, Nielson said, “because I think Utah should be more represented, and I’m very excited, honored and humbled that they’ve selected me. That way I can represent Utah in a greater way.”

As Vice Supreme Master, Nielson will be responsible for the development, growth and program promotion in the province.

His role is to ensure that the fourth-degree Knights “grow and are strong and are taking care of things within those four states that I cover,” he said. “It’s just to make sure that we are doing patriotic and civic programs within our jurisdictions, giving back to our community and presenting honor to our fallen brothers. It’s just giving back and doing things in a patriotic manner.”

In this position he hopes to help the organization, particularly the fourth degree, to increase its membership, he said. At present there are 11,667 fourth degree Knights in the province; 1,969 of them live in Utah. 

“My goal is to inspire and bring in newer members and just make sure there’s going to be a presence here long after we’re all gone,” Nielson said.