About Us
Our Story
The Parks PAC was created when a number of National Parks advocates realized that President Trump was coming after our parks and that there was no entity that could effectively intervene politically. The Parks PAC exists to represent the interests of National Park supporters who want to hold politicians accountable for their anti-parks actions.
Why Parks PAC Is Different
While there are numerous worthy conservation groups that work to protect public lands, there is no political action committee that specifically represents the interests of National Park advocates.
America needs a hard-hitting political action force that will hold politicians accountable at the ballot box. With the emergence of the National Parks Political Action Committee – Parks PAC, our elected officials will now be aware that their votes on National Park issues are being scrutinized, and they will think twice before voting to undermine the National Park System.
Leadership & Governance
Meet Our Board
Parks PAC is governed by a board of four people with significant experience as advocates for our National Parks.
Ron Sundergill
The Founder of Parks PAC. He previously served as the Pacific Region Director of the National Parks Conservation Association, retiring in 2024.
Deb Callahan
Works at the intersection of environmental policy and politics; Deb has led organizations, including a decade as president of the League of Conservation Voters. In 2018, she founded North Star Strategy, a consultancy serving nonprofits and businesses.
Sandra Ramos
A veteran political organizer, strategist, and national park activist, also known as National Park Patch Lady.
Charles Thomas
Executive Director of Outward Bound Adventures for sixteen years; former Pacific West Regional Manager of Youth Programs for the National Park Service, overseeing programs across 59 National Parks.
Advisory Council
Ernie Atencio
Former Southwest Region NPCA director
Teresa Baker
Public Lands Activist and Outdoor Industry diversity advocate
Tom Cosgrove
President – New Voice Strategies
Doug Linney
Founder of Activate America
Mary Martin
Retired Superintendent of Lassen Volcanic National Park
Audrey Peterman
Writer – Former National Park Conservation Association Board member
James “JT” Reynolds
Retired Superintendent of Death Valley
Margie Steigerwald
Retired Chief Ranger – NPS
Hanako Wakatsuki – Chong
Former Park Superintendent – NPS
Dan Wenk
Retired Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park
Jack Shu
Former California State Park Superintendent
Accountability & Transparency
Parks PAC is, and will continue to be, a very diverse organization, with a board committed to social justice. We seek the best practitioners in political advocacy to help lead our work, and we will be accountable by publicly sharing information on our website and through regular reports to the Federal Elections Commission.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Our national parks can’t vote—but you can.
The decisions made in 2026 will shape our public lands for decades. Join Parks PAC today and help elect leaders who will protect what belongs to all of us.
