Board of Directors

Buffalo Vineyard’s Board of Directors are a local group that holds our leadership team accountable through monthly financial reporting and quarterly meetings to address the ongoing needs and decisions of our fellowship.

2023-2024 Term:
Nathan Forschler
Jess Kauffman
Ryan Ledebur
Joe Maciag
Rachel Pullen
Micaela Shauku
Emily Defnet

Phil Chorlian
Regional Leader
East Region
Vineyard USA

Phil Chorlian planted the North Jersey Vineyard in 1997 and serves as the Lead Pastor. Phil’s responsibilities include preaching and teaching, leadership development, and casting and communicating vision for the church. Phil also serves the wider Vineyard USA movement as a Regional Leader for the Eastern region.

Phil and his wife Norma have been married since 1991 and have 4 children.

John Elmer
Super Regional Leader
East Region
Vineyard USA

John Elmer is our Super Regional Leader within the larger Vineyard movement. Along with his wife Gwen, John planted the Syracuse Vineyard thirty years ago and has gone on to plant thirteen additional churches since then. He was recently invited into the Super Regional Leader role within Vineyard USA’s new National Leadership Team. He recently assisted with and oversaw the licensing process of the pastors of our newly formed leadership team.