Bro. Ernette served as the 112th Grand Master of Pennsylvania Masons in 1998 and 1999. He served as Worshipful Master of Westmoreland Lodge No. 518, Greensburg, in 1980 and as District Deputy Grand Master of the 30th Masonic District from 1987 through 1991. In addition to the years served as Junior and Senior Grand Wardens and Deputy Grand Master, he had served Grand Lodge in the appointed office of Senior Grand Deacon. He served as President of The Pennsylvania Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Children, now The Pennsylvania Masonic Foundation for Children, and on the Board of Directors of the National Masonic Foundation for Children. As R.W. Grand Master, he introduced the very successful Grand Lodge Matching Charity Grants Program.

In York Rite Masonry, he is a member of Valley Royal Arch Chapter No. 289; Oliver Council No. 13, Royal and Select Masters; Kendron Commandery No. 18, Knights Templar; Constans Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Johnstown; York Rite College, Golden Triangle No. 32, Pittsburgh; and Excelsior Mark Lodge No. 216, Philadelphia.

He is a member of the Scottish Rite bodies in the Valley of Pittsburgh, including Gourgas Lodge of Perfection, Pennsylvania Council of Princes of Jerusalem, Pittsburgh Chapter of Rose Croix, and Pennsylvania Consistory. He was coroneted a 33º Mason in 1996.

He is a Shriner in Syria Temple, Pittsburgh; a member of Caravan Eight, A.A.O.N.M.S.; and The Royal Order of Jesters, Pittsburgh Court No. 2. He is a member of the PIN Club, Pittsburgh, L.A.M.A.S. Club in Latrobe.

He is the Provincial Deputy Grand Master of the Royal Order of Scotland, Provincial Grand Lodge of the U.S. In 1987, he was the Grand Tall Cedar of Westmoreland Forest No. 77, and is a member of Islam Grotto, M.O.V.P.E.R., Pittsburgh.

He was awarded the Honorary Legion of Honor from the Order of DeMolay. He also is a member of the National Sojourners No. 130, Carlisle; Allied Masonic Degrees; and Grand Masters Council "A."

Bro. Ernette is the Owner and President of Unity Printing Co., Latrobe. He was a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper from 1967 to 1984. He is a graduate of Hempfield Area Senior High School; Point Park College, Pittsburgh; and the Pennsylvania State Police Academy.

He and his wife, Brenda (Smith) have a daughter Lisa, the wife of Joseph Frederick, who served as the Grand Sword Bearer during Bro. Ernette's tenure as Grand Master. There are two grandchildren, Ashley and Cole Frederick. The Ernettes are members of The Charter Oak United Methodist Church, Greensburg.