Commanding Officer - Zach Tyke
Zach joined the 501st in April of 2018 and resides in Murrysville. Usually, can be found with a camera or a droid on a troop, but from time to time you will see him in uniform. Outside of the garrison he is into hockey and cars. He also really enjoys building and tinkering with all kinds of different things.
Executive Officer - Jenna Miller
Jenna joined in November of 2018. She enjoys trooping alongside her husband Tim who joined in September 2018 and daughter Adia who is a member of the Galactic Academy. If your son or daughter is interested in joining sign up here. If you want to talk to her and have us at your event, check out our Request an Appearance page.
Membership and Website Liaisons - Jacob Messmer and Greg Geibel
Jacob has been a member of the 501st Legion since 2014. Currently has 6 approved costumes. He was one of the founding members of Starkiller Garrison, along with being the first GML/GWL for the garrison.
Greg has been a 501st member since 2016. He entered as a stormtrooper and has added a death trooper to his collection. He enjoys long walks on the beach, a cute rom-com, and singing show tunes in his spare time.
Garrison Public Relations - Cait Rickard and Dylan Burton
Cait officially joined in January of 2023 but had been taking pictures for a year prior to that. You can usually find me by my iconic orange hat! If I’m not holding a camera I’m probably dancing or doing acrobatics.
Dylan has been a 501st member since April of 2019 and got approved on his birthday! Currently he has a ROTJ Royal guard or the one arm wonder but is also working on a bunch of other costumes including a Chewbacca! When he is not trooping he is usually found doing things in the great outdoors or working on all kinds of costumes and props.
Event Coordinators - Pat Sutton, Court Cratty,
Kevin Weir & Mike Dudash
Pat has been a member of the 501st since 2018. He has several costumes but prefers his Stormtrooper above the rest! He is a long-haul network engineer by day and a hockey Pap by night. In his free time he enjoys not being eaten by Ewoks, as well as trooping with his Imperial cadet granddaughter. Battle of Yavin survivor and former captain of the Pismo Beach disaster recovery.
Court has been a member since March 2019 and loves trooping alongside her husband Steve who joined October 2018. Originally from Hilton, NY but found her home in Erie, PA. If you want to request an appearance from us, please go to our request page.
Kevin has been a member since June 2019 and currently is a ANH Stormtrooper and would love to add more costumes. He enjoys spending time with his family whether it be trooping or just at home.
Mike has been a member of the 501st Legion since 2016. When not trooping, he can be found involved in home improvement projects, or assisting others in building their costumes. In addition to the Events Team, he is also one of our Academy’s Stormtrooper advisors. He has helped countless individuals answer YES to the age old question of “Do you know the Muffin Man?”
Charity Officer - Shayne Garcia Bish
Shayne joined the 501st in 2019. She enjoys trooping with her husband Todd and daughter Juli who are members of the Rebel Legion, as well as her son Micah who is a member of the Galactic Academy. Outside of Starkiller she can be found teaching 5th grade and helping lead online worship services for her church. She enjoys hiking and traveling to different national parks.
Want to know what charities we work with and donate? Check out our Charities page.
Webmaster - Fred Terwilliger
Fred joined the 501st in November of 2015. He is usually found collecting bounties on a troop, but from time to time you will see him walking in single file to hide his numbers. He helps run this website and our forums. When not in costume, he is probably playing hockey or guitar .
Merchandising and Branding Officer- Adam Hnatkovich and Bill Cable
Adam has been a member of the Garrison since 2021. In addition to trooping, Adam designs board games and is a professional cartographer. He enjoys raising chickens, backpacking, and practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Bill Cable is the president and founder of the Pennsylvania Star Wars Collecting Society (PSWCS). He joined the 501st in 2018, and most enjoys trooping Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Pirates games. Among collectors he is known around the world for his C-3PO focus collection and his original artwork. He has been a featured speaker for the Collecting Track at Star Wars Celebrations in the USA, Germany, and London.
Bryan White - Quartermaster
Bryan joined the legion in 2003. He has served on command staff at the garrison, detachment and legion level. Of his many costumes, his AT-AT is his favorite. He has been trooping in it since 2004. When not trooping, he enjoys hockey, photography and video games.
Captains of the Guard- Dave Glass and Megan Stahl
Dave has been a member since April of 2017. He lives in DuBois with his wife Jess and three of their sons. By day he a county commissioner (no, they don’t give them BatPhones – I call BS); by night he referees sports and now acts as one of our COG’s (hopefully we call less fouls here than on the field!)
Megan has been a member of the 501st since 2015, though her costume building journey started back in 2011. Standing at 5′ 3″ on a good day, she is proof that you’re never too short to be a stormtrooper.