Steering Committee

Co-Chairs

Colleen Schmotzer (Allegheny County) 

CONTACT COLLEEN AT: [email protected]

Timothy Runkle (Lancaster County)

Timothy (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]

Secretary

Bryarr Misner (Allegheny County)

Bryarr (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 BRYARR AT: [email protected]

Treasurer

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

CONTACT J.J. AT: [email protected]

At-Large Members

Tony Dastra (Lancaster County)

Tony (he/him) will be submitting a bio, so check back soon!

CONTACT TONY AT: [email protected]

Wendy Keslick (Chester County)

Wendy (she/her) is a lifelong activist from Chester County. She has experience in directing nonprofits and campaigning. She most recently has served on Green Party’s 2024 VP Candidate Butch Ware’s Advisory Team and currently serves as Volunteer Coordinator and CORE Team member for Butch Ware for Governor of CA 2026. In addition, as part of her small business in West Chester she has launched Sakinah Oasis, a project that serves as a space for activists seeking wellness community that does not bypass the genocide in Palestine and other atrocities at home and abroad.

Wendy looks forward to serving on the At-Large Steering Committee and as liaison to the Finance Team this year. She is dedicated to helping the Green Party grow in 2026!

CONTACT WENDY AT: [email protected]

Beth Schongar (Allegheny County)

CONTACT BETH 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.

Chris Robinson (Philadelphia County)

Chris (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.

Team co-leader (TBD)

The GPPA Steering Committee is seeking a co-leader for the Communications Team to help Chris with his duties. If you are interested, please contact Colleen or Tim at [email protected]

The GPPA Steering Committee liaison to the Communications Team is Colleen Schmotzer. If you are interested in getting involved with the Communications Team, sign up HERE.

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.

Barbara Laxon (McKean County)

Barbara (she/her) has been a Green since the early 1990s and with the Green Party of Pennsylvania since 2016, serving twice as a GPPA Steering Committee At-Large member and now in her second year as a co-leader of the Core Team. For several years, she was a member of the Communication team, and prior to that she was a member of the Greenwave Team.

Barbara has been a member of GPAX (the GPUS Peace Action committee) and GPUS EcoAction committee for several years as well. She is also with several environmental and social justice organizations as well, and she was once a "Raging Granny" in South Florida! Barbara was also asked to be a regional member/manager for north-central PA for Move to Amend.

Tristan Holland  (Montgomery County)

Tristan (he/him) joined the Green Party in May of 2025 and moved to Pennsylvania about a year ago. He self-nominated to be a leader of the Core Team and is hoping to help improve party institutions and the means by which we integrate new members, while also gaining experience with the party and becoming familiar with its members.

The GPPA Steering Committee liaison to the Core Team is Beth Schongar. If you are interested in getting involved with the Core Team, sign up HERE.

CONTACT THE CORE TEAM AT: [email protected]

Finance Team Leader

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.

GreenWave Team Leader

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.

Theron Gilliland, Jr. (Allegheny County)

Theron (he/him) is a queer 46-year-old biomedical research scientist. As a radical social progressive, his activism currently focuses on racial justice, supporting police and prison abolition, opposing military interventions/economic neo-imperialism, and fighting for protections for the transgender community.

Theron is involved with several groups in support of these values: the Democratic Socialists of America, the Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance, and the Pittsburgh Anti-War Committee. 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 is a nontheist Quaker, and he enjoys biking, kayaking, camping, and hiking; reading about ancient Near East history; and learning languages from around the world.

The GPPA Steering Committee liaison to the GreenWave Team is Tony Dastra. If you are interested in getting involved with the GreenWave Team, sign up HERE.

CONTACT THE GREENWAVE TEAM AT: [email protected]

Recent GPPA Steering Committee leaders