STAFF

MICHAEL GLASS

Chancellor

Michael Glass serves as the Chancellor to the President of the House of Deputies and was appointed to that position by President Ayala Harris in 2022.  Previously, he served as Vice Chancellor to the President of the House of Deputies and Chair of the House of Deputies Resolution Review Committee for multiple General Conventions.  He is also serving as a member of the President of the House of Deputies’ Council of Advice, the President’s representative to the Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution and Canons, and several other interim and church-related bodies.  Mr. Glass also currently serves as Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin in 2008 and has successfully litigated the return of over 36 properties to the Diocese.  He also serves as general counsel for three California presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

Mr. Glass is a partner at Ragghianti Freitas, LLP,  in San Rafael, California. His practice consists of representing individuals, businesses, institutional non-profits, and other organizations in general business, corporate matters, and large commercial real estate projects. He also serves as outside general counsel for several companies and non-profits.

STEVE PANKEY

Secretary Pro Tempore

Steve Pankey (He/Him) is the Secretary Pro Tempore of the House of Deputies.  Appointed by President Ayala Harris in June 2026, he serves as the primary legislative point person for the House.  With his colleagues on the staff of the House of Deputies and The Episcopal Church, Steve is the project manager for the development and implementation of the new Governance and Legislative System.  Prior to his appointment as Secretary Pro Tempore, Steve served the House as its 15th  Vice President, elected in 2024.

Steve is a priest, canonically resident in the Diocese of Kentucky, and has served parishes in the Kentucky and Alabama.  He is married to Laurie, a priest in the Diocese of Lexington, and has two children, Eliza and Lainey.  He spends his free time attending horse shows (Laurie), dance recitals (Eliza), volleyball tournaments (Lainey), and occasionally on the golf course.

MERRIE BEARD

Director of Operations and Administration

Merrie Beard (she/her/hers) is a life-long resident of Oklahoma.  She came to The Episcopal church as an adult and was baptized, married, and confirmed at her home parish.  In that time, she has served as a Sunday school teacher, a Eucharistic visitor, a volunteer in the church archive, and was active in ECW. Merrie has also served several staff positions at her local Episcopal church, including bookkeeper, communications coordinator, and parish administrator. Merrie worked as the parish administrator, which is both a job and a lay ministry, until 2022, when she accepted an opportunity to work for the churchwide structure as the Director of Operations and Administration to President of the House of Deputies, Julia Ayala Harris. Merrie has also served as the Diocesan President of the Oklahoma Assembly of the Order of the Daughters of the King and is currently her chapter’s president.

 Merrie earned a Master of Human Relations degree and a Master of Library and Information Studies degree, both at the University of Oklahoma. When not working, Merrie can be found reading, attending musical theater performances, or playing board games with her family.