Candidates for the gkcoa board of directors - 2025
Below, you will find the list of candidates running for various positions on the board of GKCOA. If only one candidate is listed, then they are running unopposed.
President
Keith Fowler
My name is Keith Fowler I’m running for President of the GKCOA
Board of Directors. I would like your vote. Following are some
items that I would like to address if elected President of the
GKCOA:
-- To insure the development and growth of the best association
in the state of Missouri
-- Development, growth and training of all officials in the
association
-- Retention of officials
-- Transparency between GKCOA Board and all members within
association
-- Working with schools to ensure safety of all officials
Keith began his officiating career in 1974 after playing basketball
for Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City, Missouri.
Keith has officiated High School and College basketball for 40
years. As a young official he started in the Kansas City Park and
Recreation league and the Independence men’s league. Started
working in the Suburban Conference in 1979.
As a registered MSHSAA Basketball official worked MSHSAA
Final Four, numerous MSHSAA Quarterfinal, Sectionals and
District playoff games. From there officiated in the MIAA for 6
years; Heart of American Conference for 20+ years, NAIA District
10 for 15+ years, NAIA District 16 for 15+ years, KCAC for 10
years, Kansas Jayhawk Community College for 20 years; Junior
College playoff games, regional and sub-regional games.
A member of the GKCOA for 28 years. A recipient of the Bill
Pickett Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.Assigned Basketball
for the GKCOA for 25 years and Midland Collegiate Athletic
Conference assignor for 4 years.
Keith and his wife Christy have 4 adult children along with 9
grandchildren and reside in Kansas City enjoying retirement now.
jamie Gehrke
After serving seven years as a volleyball official, I volunteered to serve as the GKCOA InterimVice-President of Volleyball over the past year. Before becoming a volleyball official, I spent one year with MSHSAA as a basketball official in the Springfield, MO area. I have been selected to work the MSHSAA Volleyball State Quarterfinals the last two years, as well as having been selected to work the National Junior College Division 1 National Championships in 2022 and 2023. Finally, I have officiated several rounds of NAIA Conference playoffs in both the Heart of America Conference (The Heart) and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).
In addition to serving as the interim Vice-President of Volleyball, I have also sat on the GKCOA Scholarship Fund Board for three sessions. During that time, the Scholarship Fund has grown in the number of scholarships distributed and has doubled the amount available to Scholarship recipients (from $500 per student to $1000 per student). The Board’s recent fundraising and distribution of scholarships are unmatched in the history of the GKCOA Scholarship Fund.With a focus on development of both newer and tenured officials, and recruiting and retaining a diverse, passionate, and resilient cadre of new officials, I am looking to formalize my role as the Vice-President of Volleyball for GKCOA for the upcoming term. In addition, I am also looking to expand that role to concurrently serve as President of GKCOA. With an amiable, passionate, consistent, and balanced approach, I am confident in my leadership skills in moving GKCOA forward across not only volleyball, but through and across all the sports, officials, and students the Association represents.I began officiating intramural sports in college at The University of Missouri-Columbia. Having learned to apply leadership principles I learned in the United States Marine Corps, I was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Throughout my educational and working career, I have been selected for leadership training opportunities because of my willingness to do the right thing, to have difficult conversations, and to focus on the strength-based success of the team. In graduate school I was one of 20 first-year graduate students in my field, from across the US, awarded a Lilly Foundation Fellowship for showing promise as a leader. While working for the US Office of Personnel Management, I was one of 16 Federal employees selected to participate in American University’s Key Executive Leadership Program. In addition to being a successful volleyball official and team leader, I am driven to always increase my education, knowledge, and training. As a father of two young adults, I have found the importance in celebrating victories, no matter how small, and learning something from our losses, no matter how great. It is critical to me to hear all voices and to include everyone with a vested interest in best serving the sports we officiate. At the end of the day, the integrity of the game is most vital…but having fun is pretty great too!
Arreon Parker
Bio not available
secretary
Rexanne Hill
My name is Rexanne Hill, and I am excited to run for Secretary of the GKCOA Board. My lifelong passion for sports and officiating, combined with my leadership and organizational experience, makes me well-suited for this role.
Growing up in Independence, Missouri, I attended St. Mary’s High School, where I competed in volleyball, basketball, and track. I also played USAV club volleyball, gaining early experience in officiating. My commitment to giving back to the sports community began as a youth basketball referee for the Independence Youth Athletic Association (IYAA). I later earned a Division I volleyball scholarship to the University of Missouri - Kansas City and continued officiating summer league volleyball at Raytown South High School throughout college.
Professionally, I served as a history teacher and coached volleyball and basketball for eight years at Raytown South High School before transitioning into administration at Lee’s Summit North High School. While I temporarily set aside officiating to focus on my family, my passion for the sport brought me back to the court. For the past four years, I have officiated middle school, high school, and college volleyball, earning increasing postseason opportunities each season.
As Secretary, I will bring strong communication, organization, and leadership skills to the board. My background in education and administration has equipped me with the ability to manage records, coordinate effectively, and support the needs of our officiating community. I look forward to the opportunity to serve and contribute to the success of GKCOA.
Treasurer
kevin rowald
Kevin is the Director of Parking & Transportation for the University of Kansas
Medical Center where he oversees all aspects of the Department.
He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southwest Texas
University is a member of the International Parking and Mobility Institute
where currently serves on the Continuing Education Committee.
Kevin is passionate about high school and youth sports and recognizes the
positive influence that professional officials provide to all participants.
Vice President of basketball
Jason hill
Jason has been a MSHSAA football and basketball official since 2007. In 2017, his crew was selected to work the Class 4 Football State Championships. Jason was selected in 2018 to work the Class
1, 2, and 3 State Basketball Championships, then again in 2022 to work the Class 4, 5, and 6 State Basketball Championships. Jason was hired in 2022 in the Heart of America conference for Men’s basketball.
Jason grew up in Northwest Oklahoma. Jason attended Dodge City Community College in 1995-1997, transferring to Ottawa University 1997-1999 after obtaining his Associate of Arts degree. Jason played football and golf at both DCCC and Ottawa University before finishing his Bachelor of Business Administration degree at the University of Central Missouri.
Jason has 2 daughters, 14 and 17, that attend Lee’s Summit West High School.
Alonzo hood
My name is Alonzo Hood, and I would be most appreciative for your Vote as the Vice President of Basketball for GKCOA. I have 25 years of experience as a GKCOA Official,and have worked the State Championship in Basketball as well as numerous District, Sectional, and Quarterfinal contests. I am a White Hat in Football, and my Crew has worked numerous Post Season Football games, advancing as far as the State Semi Final contests. I have worked as a GKCOA mentor for upcoming Officials in the Basketball program for the past 5 years, and helped train many young Football Officials as well. My goal going forward is to further GKCOA as the premier Football and Basketball Association in the State of Missouri. I also wish to move the Association forward with its recruitment and training of young Sports Officials.
Vice President of football
Brian Keath
Brian has been a MSHSAA registered football official for 13 years, a member of GKCOA for 12 years, and a football Crew Referee 11 years. Brian was a founding member of the crew, not missing a Friday night in the last 12 years. Brian’s crew’s last eight years post season resume includes three State Quarter Finals, four State Semi Finals, and one State Final.
The on-field resume would not be possible if the crew was not constantly trying to improve year after year. The crew pushes and challenges each other so that we can achieve our goals. A desire to represent GKCOA and the Kansas City area with the utmost professionalism in both how we present the association and ourselves includinghow we interact with everyone we come in contact with.
Brian would continue those ideas as the VP of football and do what he can to promote our association not only locally but at the state and national levels. We are a large group and have many years of valuable experience, leading the next generations in our craft is a responsibility Brian wants to be a part of for the long term with training at the top of the agenda.
Brian started a Fractional CFO consulting firm in 2014 focused on helping family-owned businesses. Many are struggling and need a helping hand get them over a hump. Brian is married with four children and four grandchildren. Brian works with several charities in the area, including the GKCOA Scholarship Fund.
J.L. Roach
J.L. Roach has been a registered official with MSHSAA since 1980. He began his football officiating endeavor after graduating from high school, and utilized this vocation to work his way through college at NWMSU. He had some incredible mentors, and became a crew chief in 1999. Having worked 5 state championship games in the past 19 years, he was chosen as the NFHS Officials Association Football Official of the Year for Missouri in 2011.
J.L. has been involved in sports his entire life, having participated in football, basketball, baseball, wrestling and track. He has coached multiple sports at the grade school level, and has been the Athletic Director at Visitation Catholic School for the past 21 years, currently promoting girls flag football.
J.L.’s mission is to keep GKCOA as the recognized top football officials association in the state of Missouri.
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Brandon Welch
My name is Brandon Welch. I have been with the GKCOA for 12 years now. I currently work high school and college football at the NAIA level. I work for Zoom Communications as a software engineer. I have been with Zoom for six years in May. I have four children and two grandchildren, with another baby girl on the way in May from my Stepson. I currently run GKCOA.org's Zoom account and did some work on the website a year or two ago.
Vice president of Baseball/softball
Terry Stevens
My name is Terry Stevens and I am running for re-election as VP for Baseball/Softball.
I was born and raised in St. Louis and I began umpiring baseball and softball in 1973, making this my 51st season. I have umpired both sports from the youth leagues through college level and semi-pro. I have been selected in both sports to work countless post-season tournaments including the state tournament several times and NCJAA regionals once. I have learned from some tremendous umpires along the way, Roy Jaeger, Don Speiler, Mike O’Dell, Bob Jones, Lindsey Sumpter, Anita Robinet, Doug Sackman and many others.
I was a history and government teacher for 31 years and I coached baseball and football at Winnetonka for nearly 20 of those. I feel that experience has helped prepare for teaching and instructing younger umpires and organizing training sessions and clinics (though I usually rely on umpires better and smarter than I to run them). My years of coaching give me insight and perspective from their side. Also, being around via coaching and umpiring as long as I have, I have good relationships with umpires, coaches, and administrators around the area. I get a lot of feedback from coaches about good young umpires they’d like to see more and I relay that to first Carl, and now, Dan.
In the past six years, I feel our efforts to raise our professional standards and
performance have been successful, though we still have a ways to go and can never be satisfied. I have also tried to improve communication with our umpires in a wide range of areas from individual concerns to state requirements, by working closely with Dan Ogle and being as accessible as possible.
Vice president of Volleyball
Jamie Gehrke
After serving seven years as a volleyball official, I volunteered to serve as the GKCOA InterimVice-President of Volleyball over the past year. Before becoming a volleyball official, I spent one year with MSHSAA as a basketball official in the Springfield, MO area. I have been selected to work the MSHSAA Volleyball State Quarterfinals the last two years, as well as having been selected to work the National Junior College Division 1 National Championships in 2022 and 2023. Finally, I have officiated several rounds of NAIA Conference playoffs in both the Heart of America Conference (The Heart) and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).
In addition to serving as the interim Vice-President of Volleyball, I have also sat on the GKCOA Scholarship Fund Board for three sessions. During that time, the Scholarship Fund has grown in the number of scholarships distributed and has doubled the amount available to Scholarship recipients (from $500 per student to $1000 per student). The Board’s recent fundraising and distribution of scholarships are unmatched in the history of the GKCOA Scholarship Fund.With a focus on development of both newer and tenured officials, and recruiting and retaining a diverse, passionate, and resilient cadre of new officials, I am looking to formalize my role as the Vice-President of Volleyball for GKCOA for the upcoming term. In addition, I am also looking to expand that role to concurrently serve as President of GKCOA. With an amiable, passionate, consistent, and balanced approach, I am confident in my leadership skills in moving GKCOA forward across not only volleyball, but through and across all the sports, officials, and students the Association represents.I began officiating intramural sports in college at The University of Missouri-Columbia. Having learned to apply leadership principles I learned in the United States Marine Corps, I was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Throughout my educational and working career, I have been selected for leadership training opportunities because of my willingness to do the right thing, to have difficult conversations, and to focus on the strength-based success of the team. In graduate school I was one of 20 first-year graduate students in my field, from across the US, awarded a Lilly Foundation Fellowship for showing promise as a leader. While working for the US Office of Personnel Management, I was one of 16 Federal employees selected to participate in American University’s Key Executive Leadership Program. In addition to being a successful volleyball official and team leader, I am driven to always increase my education, knowledge, and training. As a father of two young adults, I have found the importance in celebrating victories, no matter how small, and learning something from our losses, no matter how great. It is critical to me to hear all voices and to include everyone with a vested interest in best serving the sports we officiate. At the end of the day, the integrity of the game is most vital…but having fun is pretty great too!
At-Large Board Seats - *vote for 3
Kris Haddock
Bio not available
Kevin Harrison
Kevin is a graduate of Carthage High school and Southwest MO State University. He participated in Basketball, Football, and Track in HS and Track in College. He was a state semifinalist in all 3 Hurdle events back when it was measured in yards.
He earned a BS degree in Organic Chemistry and minored in Computer Science and Physics. I did post graduate work in IT Infrastructure and Software engineering. I worked for IBM for 30 years as a large systems Information Technology Architect.
My father was a 3-sport official and I tagged along on most nights or events he worked. I knew I wanted to become an official later in life. After coaching my kids in sports prior to high school, I decided to get registered in Basketball, Football, and Track/Field. It’s now a passion for me after 30 years in Basketball and Football and 35 years in Track/Field.
I have worked 2 Football State Championships, the most recent in 2019 for the Class 6 final, and numerous post season assignments in both football and basketball. I worked college women’s basketball in the Heart of America conference for 10 years.
I have been the Referee on my crew for 15 years.
In Track and Field, I am a Certified NCAA/USATF Master level official in 7 disciplines. I have been selected for 12 MSHSAA Track/Field Championships. I have worked numerous Indoor/Outdoor Conference championships in the NCAA and USATF. These included MIAA(15), Heart(8), AMC (5), GLVC(8). NCAA DI Regionals(3), NCAA DII Nationals(3), NCAA DI(2), USATF Nationals(3), Junor Olympics(5).
My passion is mentoring new officials and assisting them in the sports I work. I am an assignor for subvarsity football north of the river.
I am always looking for innovative ways to instruct newer officials and work on ways to improve our crew for every game.
My goal would be to serve the board and bring some new thoughts on officiating and techniques for analytics on our sports to gain insight into areas of performance and improvement.
I have been retired for almost 3 years and married to my wife Pam a retired nurse since 1980. Our combined passion is boating and traveling and we have a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks.
john kilmer
John began his officiating career in Nebraska after playing college basketball. He moved to Missouri in 1988 and registered in basketball in 1990. His basketball career included 3 trips to the MSHSAA Final
Four highlighted by a thrilling 101-90 5A Championship game in which Webster Groves defeated Chaminade. He was selected as the MSHSAA Boys Official of the Year for the 2018 season. He began his football officiating career in 1992 and was lucky enough to work varsity football in his very first season.
Toward the latter part of his high school officiating days he took over the Referee position and was fortunate enough to work the first overtime game in MSHSAA Show Me Bowl history. That 4A Championship game featured Clayton and Webb City. Clayton prevailed in OT 27-26 as Webb City went
for the win after scoring a TD in the second series of the OT and failed to convert. In 1997 he was hired into the MIAA conference as a Line Judge where he worked for the next 13 years. Toward the end of his tenure in the MIAA he was selected to work the National Championship 4 consecutive years. In 2010 he was hired into the Southland Conference where he worked the next 2 years. In 2012 he was hired into the Western Athletic Conference. In 2013 he was hired into the Mountain West Conference where he is
still currently working. He has worked numerous post season bowl games and worked the Mountain West Conference Championship game following the 2021 season. He is currently serving the GKCOA as an at-large board member and is the Co-Assignor for Basketball.
Gene Millentree
Gene Millentree officiating at a glance:
High School
MSHSAA - 57 years combined service (Football and Basketball)
High School Football
41 years of service.
2023 MSHSAA Kansas City Basketball Observer
21 District, Quarterfinal and State Quarterfinal Assignments
Worked 3 MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl Finals
2017 - Crew Chief (R)
2004 - Back Judge
1998 - Back Judge
High School Basketball
4 MSHSAA Show Me State Tournaments
3 Finals: 1986, 1989, 1992
College Football Officiating Experience
MIAA 25 years - 1987 - 2012
6 NCAA Division ll Playoffs: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
MIAA Fall Classic Arrowhead Stadium: 2008, 2011
Mineral Water Bowl - 2004
College Basketball Officiating Experience
MIAA - 28 years - 1989 - 2017
7 MIAA Conference Finals
5 NCAA Division ll South Central Regional Tournaments
1 NCAA Division ll Regional Tournament Final
1 NCAA Division ll Elite Eight National Tournament. First round and semi final.
13 years Big 8/ Big Xll, Conference USA, Sun Belt, Western Athletic Conference
3 Big 8 Tournaments
2 Big Xll Tournaments
5 National Invitation Tournaments (NIT)
5 years Missouri Valley Conference.
3 Missouri Valley Conference Tournaments
4 years Mid-Continent Conference
1 Mid-Continent Conference Tournament.
2022 Inducted in MIAA Hall of Fame (Basketball and Football) Official
2013 Inducted in Excelsior Springs High School Hall of Fame.
2007 Inducted in William Jewell Football Hall of Fame.
Matt Perry
Objective: To elevate GKCOA as the premier officiating organization in Missouri by contributing my leadership, experience, and passion for officiating excellence. I seek a board position to enhance officiating standards, support members, and foster organizational growth.
Why I am Running: I am committed to strengthening our officiating community and expanding the impact of GKCOA. My goal is to enhance training, mentorship, and support systems to ensure our officials are recognized as the best in MSHSAA. With a focus on professionalism and continuous improvement, I aim to make GKCOA a model for excellence in officiating.
Sports Officiating & Coaching Experience:
● MSHSAA Certified Basketball Official – 21 years
○ GKCOA Member – 11 years
○ Sedalia Officials Association Member – 12 years
○ 3× MSHSAA Final Four Official
● KSHSAA Certified Basketball Official – 6 years
● Football Coach – 32 years, serving in roles from Junior High to Head High School Coach
● Baseball Coach – 3 years
● Track Coach – 5 years
Professional Experience & Leadership:
● Education Professional – 35 years as a Teacher, Coach, and Counselor
● Current Role: High School Guidance Counselor, William Chrisman High School
● Additional Sports-Related Leadership Roles:
○ Summer Recreation Director
○ Youth Tournament Director
○ Youth Camp Coordinator
● MLB Data Operations – FTC and BOSS Operator
Endorsements & References available upon request.
Maurice Ragland
Since joining GKCOA in 2017 (certified official since 2006) I have recruited and invested in the training of some of our best younger officials. I am passionate about the growth of our game and the development of officials sue to the impact that it has on the community, as well as the students and families we serve, week in and week out.
I grew up in Grandview, Missouri and attended Ruskin High School class of 1992. I was a multiple All-Conference, All-District, All-Metro, All-state performer in football, baseball, and track (your boy could perform back in his glory days). I played in the original Metro Dream Classic Football game at Arrowhead stadium that pitted the best of Missouri versus the best of Kansas. After high school I continued my education at Washburn University where I was a four-year letterman in football and a two-time All-MIAA cornerback.
I obtained my Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree from Washburn University class of 1996. After a few years in the "real world", I continued my education and obtained a Master of Science in Management degree (MSM) from Baker University class of 2000.
I am married (Christie) and we have four children and three of the cutest grandchildren that you will ever meet.
I am very passionate about preserving high school and youth sports and the life lessons that also come from participating. I believe officials have a key role in the development of student athletes that is immeasurable.
Jim Rusconi
Jim Rusconi is one of the most senior members of the GKCOA in not only years of service to high school athletics, but post season assignments as well. His officiating career began in 1963 as both a football and basketball official while a freshman at Rockhurst High School.
Jim became a registered official with the state of Missouri in 1969 and since that time has worked numerous playoff games including the Class 1 state championship in 2003. Before knee injuries forced Jim to retire in 1998 he was a highly decorated official on the hardwood. He worked numerous MSHSAA playoff games and in 1983 he officiated the National Christian College Division II Championship tournament.
A member of the GKCOA since 1973 Jim has been given many awards including the "Steve Connor Football Award", "Dub Gleason Basketball Award", "Bill Pickett Lifetime Achievement Award" and honored by MSHSAA for 25 years of service.
Miguel Warren
Education:
Metropolitan Community College- Kansas City, MO: : 2011
Carver Bible College –Licensed Minister: February 2008
Lincoln High School – Kansas City, MO: Diploma 1984
Current Employment:
Pfizer/Zoetis Animal Health: Logistics Coordinator: April 1987 –
Present
o Currently ICC Coordinator major responsibilities include
o Deployment of Domestic product using the TM system
o Enable optimal Supply Chain of product amongst 7 distribution centers
o Primary contact for inbound and outbound shipment with domestic providers
o Coordination with Domestic transport providers
o Train colleagues on RCS system functions which include: printing bills of lading, How to drop orders, How to
create move tickets, How to perform a cycle count, How to confirm and print orders in TM status
o Communicate and coordinate on a daily business with the Team.
OFFICIATING EXPERICENCE:
MSHSAA Official in good standing
MSHSAA Registered Football Official for 30 yrs
MSHSAA Basketball Official for 28 yrs
MSHSAA Volleyball Official for 9 yrs
MSHSAA Baseball Official for 9 yrs
MSHSAA Track/Cross Country Official for 9 yrs
Member of GKCOA –Greater Kansas City Officials Association in good standing
Assigned to Officiate on 4 occasions the Missouri State High School Basketball Final Four in Columbia, MO
Worked District, Sectional and Quarterfinals in Basketball and Football
Official Scheduling/Assignor Experience
o Kansas City Missouri School District- supervisor of officials: 1997-Present
o Supervised and scheduled more than one hundred-ten (110+) officials for Basketball, Football, and
Volleyball at all grade freshman, JV and Varsity levels within the Interscholastic League.
o Schedule more than 600 games annually – assigning game officials based on MSHSAA ratings and years
of experience – getting best officials for each game. Based on coaches recommendations, my knowledge
and experience of knowing the officials personally. Based on officials experience, Based on the
environment of the games.
o Communications Coordinator between KCPS School Athletic Directors, School Administration and Game
Officials – communicating game changes and corrections to game assignments
o Master Scheduler. Coordinate the playing schedules for all 6 KCPS Schools with MSHSAA and KSHSAA -
2018-approved Schools in the following sports Track Boy’s and Girl’s, Cross Country Boy’s and Girl’s,
Soccer Boy’s and Girl’s, Football, Baseball, Basketball Boy’s and Girl’s
o Help Train New officials
Miguel Warren
Heart of America Pop Warner Youth Football-board member/supervisor of officials: 1998-current
o Supervisor of more than (100+) officials – ensuring proper all Pop Warner rules and regulations are
implemented correctly at a National Level.
o Scheduling over 400 games annually
o Director of officials for HOA Pop Warner State and Regional Tournaments for Missouri and Kansas
o Ensuring proper training programs and materials are in place as new officials as they begin their
officiating careers by pairing each new official with veteran officials.
o Board Member in Good Standing helping to run and organize all HOA Football Operations
o Lee's Summit Youth Football Association- supervisor of officials 2005- current
o Supervisor of all Football operations including Officiating personnel
o Schedule over 350 games annually
o Rules advisor
o Ensuring proper training programs and materials are in place as new officials as they begin their
officiating careers by pairing each new official with veteran officials.
o AAU- Amateur Athletic Union Chairperson 2000-2006
o Coordinating event and finding a site to run events
o Overseeing/Implementing the following duties below
1) Scheduling Officials
2) Marketing
3) Creation of tournament flyer
4) Finalizing game brackets
5) Communicating with teams
6) Arranging game officials
7) Organizing gym and site facilities
8) Promotion
9) Recruit volunteers
10) Implementing the policies and rules of the tournament
11) Possessing excellent communication skills to resolve conflict