Steering Committee

Co-Chairs

Timothy Runkle (Lancaster County)

Timothy Runkle (he/him) is a graduate of Millersville University and holds of a Bachelor’s degree in Geology. He currently works in the environmental consulting industry as a Senior Project Manager resolving client risks and liabilities while ensuring the protection of human health and the environment. His field of expertise involves solving complex environmental problems that require a firm handle of regulatory, business, and stakeholder knowledge. Tim is a certified Scrum Master and an Ecodistricts Accredited Professional.

Tim has been involved with his local Green Party since 2005 where his first elected position was treasurer of the Green Party of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Within the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA), Tim led the party’s Finance Team and was GPPA treasurer between 2017 and 2021. Tim has served as treasurer for campaigns including Paul Glover (Pennsylvania governor 2018) and Joe Cox (Philadelphia city council 2019).

He is an active ballot access advocate and has worked within the petitioning programs for the Jill Stein 2016 campaign, Jules Murmelstein’s Superior Court Judge race in 2017, and the GPPA’s 2018 and 2020 statewide slate of candidates. Tim has run for public office within his local borough council and he won his 2017 campaign for judge of elections and his 2019 election for municipal tax collector. During 2020. In 2020 Tim led the GPPAs legal team in defense of the party’s ballot qualified candidates. His 2020 race for Pennsylvania state treasurer helped maintain the party’s minor party status.

In the local sphere of influence, Tim serves as treasurer of the non-profit Etown Common Sense; a public education advocacy organization who seeks to ensure that school policies are inclusive, understanding, and celebrate the diversity of life.

CONTACT TIM AT: [email protected]

Theron Gilliland, Jr. (Allegheny County) 

Theron (he/him) is a 45-year-old biomedical research scientist working in the Center for Vaccine Research at the University of Pittsburgh. He is also a nontheist Quaker, on the Coordinating Committee of the Pittsburgh Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and a Green Party supporter for more than two decades.

Theron has previously been an organizer with several small social justice groups; his activism is currently focused on racial justice, supporting police and prison abolition, and fighting against military interventions/economic neo-imperialism. To those ends, he is involved with the Abolition and Anti-Imperialism Committee of the Pittsburgh DSA, the DSA Abolition national working group, the DSA International Committee, the Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance, the Pittsburgh Anti-War Committee, and the Pittsburgh BDS Coalition. Theron is also active in March On Harrisburg--organizing in support of statewide ranked choice voting and a ban on legislative gifts--in alignment with the Green Party's ideals of Grassroots Democracy.

In addition to his career-oriented and political interests, Theron enjoys biking, kayaking, camping, and hiking; reading about ancient Near East history; learning languages from around the world; and spending time with his boyfriend Rashod.

CONTACT THERON AT: [email protected]

Secretary

Bryarr Misner (Allegheny County) 

Bryarr Misner (he/him) is a community organizer from Beaver Falls whose upbringing around instability, violence, and the deep impact drugs have had on Western Pennsylvania communities shaped his commitment to compassion, equity, and grassroots democracy. His political involvement began early, volunteering on the Bernie Sanders campaign and later contributing to grassroots efforts that supported Senator John Fetterman’s path to the U.S. Senate. These foundational experiences informed his dedication to building political spaces where people feel safe, represented, and heard.

Before joining the Green Party, Bryarr worked on the 2024 Abandon Harris campaign with Dr. Hassan Abdel Salam, where he gained hands-on statewide organizing experience and connected with diverse communities frustrated with establishment politics. It was during this campaign that he formed a close working relationship with Sister Colleen S, and the two later began doing independent community outreach and food support work together — volunteer efforts carried out personally, not under the GPPA.

During this period, Bryarr spent extensive time working with and learning from Pennsylvania’s Muslim community, listening to their faith traditions, concerns, and lived realities to better advocate for inclusion, equity, and justice for Muslim and other marginalized groups. During that same time, after praying in a mosque while organizing, Bryarr reverted to Islam, developing a deep respect for the faith and a profound admiration for the resilience of Palestinians who continue to hold dignity and hope in the face of immense hardship.

Within the Green Party of Pennsylvania, Bryarr has focused on strengthening internal processes, improving accessibility, and supporting newer or emerging county organizers as they work toward full participation. He emphasizes collaboration over division and works to ensure that party structures remain fair, transparent, and representative of all members across the state.

His work in oncology and healthcare further shapes his empathy-driven approach, grounding his leadership style in patience, understanding, and consistency. Whether helping families navigate crises, supporting those impacted by addiction, or contributing to community outreach alongside Sister Colleen and Statewide Greens, Bryarr brings a commitment to dignity and care into every part of his work.

As Secretary, Bryarr aims to help unify GPPA, modernize its internal systems, and foster a healthier organizational culture rooted in cooperation and accountability. His focus remains on ensuring that every county, member, and volunteer has a clear, accessible path to participation and that the party continues building structures that reflect its values.

CONTACT ALEX AT: [email protected]

Treasurer

Jeff "J.J." Kondrich (Westmoreland County) 

CONTACT J.J. AT: [email protected]

At-Large Members

Erin King (Centre County)

Erin (she/her) has a minor in Political Science from Penn State, voter registration, door-to-door canvassing, and phone banking.

Erin accepts this nomination with the motivation to reach out to her community and encourage others to get involved by doing her best to effectively communicate the message and goals of the Green Party, for the purpose of defeating the status quo so that we finally start building a country that benefits all people in the U.S.

CONTACT Erin AT: [email protected]

Barbara Laxon (McKean County)

Barbara Laxon (she/her) has been a Green since Naders first run. She was with the Green Party of Broward County Florida until she moved to Pennsylvania in 2016 and since then she's been involved with the Green Party of PA initially on the GreenWave Team and then as an At-Large member.  Barbara joined the Communications Team about four years ago and the National GPUS Green Party Peace Action (GPAX) committee as well as the National GPUS Eco Action committee. Barbara spends a great deal of her time locating abandoned wells and promoting their plugging and clean-up.

CONTACT Barbara AT: [email protected]

Colleen Schmotzer (Allegheny County)

Colleen (she/her) was a Co-chair for Abandon Biden (Harris) Campaign, where they held weekly meetings and they organized, went to protests, and distributed flyers. They also came up with strategies to let others know about third party ballot options.

She also was a team lead for Allegheny County in helping collect signatures for Dr. Cornel West and later helped collect signatures for Dr. Jill Stein, in addition to helping plan Dr. Jill Stein's two day visit to Pittsburgh in late October 2024.

Colleen am currently pursuing my bachelor's degree in psychology, and she is in two honor societies. She works in the Healthcare industry and is an active member in the Green Party. When Colleen is not busy with her volunteer duties, she enjoys spending time with her family and their dog.

CONTACT Colleen AT: [email protected]

Team Leaders

Teams are volunteers and the heart of our party. This is where our members and supporters have the opportunity to work together toward a stronger party and more peaceful, sustainable, and equitable future (and also have fun). Our volunteer activities are organized into four major Teams to promote collaboration and continuity.

To learn more about our teams, please visit https://www.gpofpa.org/teams

Communications Team Co-Leaders

The Communications Team includes the committees and workgroups that help to manage the communications and public image of the party. This team designs content for the website and manages the GPPA social media. Other activities include production of a newsletter, press releases and editorials, rapid mobilization for critical events, and creation of educational materials and programs. If you are interested in getting involved with the Communications Team, sign up HERE. 

Dave Ochmanowicz (Bucks County)

Dave Ochmanowicz (he/him) is a member of the Quakertown School Board. He is also a voting delegate to the Green Party of the United States and serves on several national committees. He has previously served both as Secretary of the Green Party of PA and chair of his Bucks County local. By profession Dave is a specialist in both group & individual insurance. He volunteers as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees of the Lotus School of Liberal Arts. A 10-year resident of Quakertown with a family, Dave is active with the Quakertown Neighborhood Association. He recognizes the need for open communication & flexible support of the dynamic needs of every student in his community. Dave is running with a reform cohort on a platform of fiscal responsibility, transparency, & science.

Chris Robinson (Philadelphia County)

Chris Robinson (he/him) has been Co-Leader of the Communications Team since January 2019, and he has been a Green Party of PA member since 2002. He really enjoys working with the other Communication Team members, and he also enjoys meeting new volunteers and introducing them to the Communication Team's mission of education, organization and agitation.

CONTACT THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM AT: [email protected]

Core Team Co-Leaders

The Core Team includes the critical committees and working groups that help to ensure the smooth functioning of the state party. This team establishes party rules, develops the platform, and manages the tools and systems that maintain the party and allow it grow. If you are interested in getting involved with the Core Team, sign up HERE.

Marci Henzi (Allegheny County)

Marci Henzi (she/her) has been a member of GPPA for 21 years, having campaigned for School Board Director as a York Green in 2003, and a member of the Green Party of Allegheny County (GPoAC) for 14 years. She has been an active delegate from GPoAC to GPPA for about five years and has served roles on the Executive Committee during Jill 2016 and is presently on the GPoAC Finance Committee. Over the course of her history with GPPA, Marci has become acquainted with Greens in many other parts of the state and is fairly well known within our state party.

Barbara Laxon (McKean County)

Barbara Laxon (she/her) has been a Green since Naders first run. She was with the Green Party of Broward County Florida until she moved to Pennsylvania in 2016 and since then she's been involved with the Green Party of PA initially on the GreenWave Team and then as an At-Large member.  Barbara joined the Communications Team about four years ago and the National GPUS Green Party Peace Action (GPAX) committee as well as the National GPUS Eco Action committee. Barbara spends a great deal of her time locating abandoned wells and promoting their plugging and clean-up.

CONTACT THE CORE TEAM AT: [email protected]

Finance Team Co-Leaders

The Finance Team includes the volunteers and working groups that help to manage and plan the finances of the party. This team establishes a budget, aids in event planning and fundraising initiatives, promotes membership options, and manages merchandise. The Finance Team is currently re-structuring to take on more of a fundraising role. If you are interested in getting involved with the Finance Team, sign up HERE.

CONTACT THE FINANCE TEAM AT: [email protected]

GreenWave Team Co-Leaders

Alex Casper (Philadelphia County) and Theron Gilliland, Jr. (Allegheny County) - see "Steering Committee" members above

The GreenWave Team's responsibility is two-fold: first the team is charged with identifying, recruiting, & supporting candidates for office who represent our Four Pillars and Ten Key Values;  second, the team utilizes the electoral process to energize & grown county locals. GreenWave is organized in a regional approach to coordinate and support efforts across the Commonwealth. If you are interested in getting involved with the GreenWave Team, sign up HERE. 

CONTACT THE GREENWAVE TEAM AT: [email protected]