Candidates for the gkcoa board of directors
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
dave misel
Dave Misel is currently serving in his first term as GKCOA President. Dave
began working football and basketball in 1981. He worked a lot of lower level
games early in his career and worked on Steve Taylor and Ken Raffety's crew
in his early years before moving to Rich Wylie's crew in Kansas City. When
Rich retired he became the white hat.
Dave has belonged to MCOA, GKCOA, PEBO, and North Central officials
associations.
He has worked one state championship in basketball in 2004.
In 1994, Bill George hired Dave to work in the Heart of America conference,
working there 10 years, including 3 NAIA playoff games.
In 2004, Bill Lowe hired him into the MIAA conference where he worked 10
seasons retiring in 2013.
Since taking over the crew in Kansas City, they have worked numerous playoff
games including state championship games in 2006 and 2016.
Dave continues to work lower level games in KC area to mentor young
officials. "I have made a lot of friends in the officiating world. I have been
fortunate to work with some great people that have mentored me and I want to
return the favor to our young officials in the Kansas City area."
secretary
Vetta Manning
Hello I am Vetta and I am running for GKCOA secretary. I was
able to take over for Nikki when she had to resign before
moving and I have thoroughly enjoyed serving in the
organization in this capacity.
I have been a high school math teacher for 22 years. I have
been blessed to work in two of the best school districts in
Missouri. I was hired for my first teaching job in the Park Hill
School district, where I taught Math and Coached girls
basketball at the freshman level for 5 years. I have worked in
the Lee’s Summit School district for 17 years. I coached JV Girls
basketball for 5 years in the past. I love being a teacher and
mentor to our young people. So the natural progression was to
start officiating the sport I love.
I have been a certified MSHAA official and GKCOA member for 7
years. I officiate Volleyball and Basketball for the organization. I
have received great mentorships and learning opportunities for
both of my sports through the GKCOA and my fellow officials.
I feel by serving as secretary I can learn about the organization
and offer my input when asked or needed to give a different
perspective on the on going issues that need to be addressed by
the organization. I feel I have the essential skills and equipment
to carry out the duties of secretary. Executing my job as a
teacher the past 22 years has prepared me and taught me
many transferable skills to take on the position of Secretary of
GKCOA.
I would like to thank you for your consideration.
Prayers and Love,
Treasurer
kevin rowald
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER:
KANSAS CITY, KS
Current Position: Director of Parking and Transportation July 2012-Present
Key Responsibilities:
Director of Parking and Transportation Department: Oversee all aspects of the Parking
and Transportation Department comprised of:
a. 38 team members
b. $12 million dollar line item budget
c. $3 million dollar capital expense budget
Education
SOUTHWEST TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Business Administration
INTERNATIONAL PARKING INSTITUTE
Certified Administrator of Public Parking 2015
Continuing Education Committee 2015-2017
Safety and Security Committee 2017-2019
Educational Committee 2019-Present
Other:
Ride KC Advisory Committee – RideKC 2019-Present
Drive Safe Coalition Leadership Committee- MARC 2020-Present
GKCOA Treasurer 2021- Present
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.
jesse hall
I have officiated basketball for 51 years going back to 1969. I have also officiated biddy basketball elementary basketball, middle/junior high, high school, JUCO, NAIA, International, PROgressive, Wheel Chair and NBA games. I was a PRO-AM paid clinician for 5 years.
On December 13, 1983, Jesse Hall and Joe Borgia worked the highest scoring game in NBA history in Denver, CO. DETROIT 186 – DENVER 184 (3OT).
Vice President of football
Jim Rusconi
Vice President of Football 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. In 1998 Jim was appointed as a MSHSAA basketball mechanics observer a position that he still holds.
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.
Vice President of volleyball
Ken Corum
Ken Corum has served for three terms as Vice President of Volleyball for the GKCOA. Ken has officiated in the Kansas City area since relocating from eastern Iowa nearly 25 years ago.
Ken has been selected to officiate two state volleyball tournaments in Kansas (2000, 2001) and two in Missouri (2015, 2020), along with line judging in the NCAA Division I volleyball tournament (2012-2022) including an NCAA Division I Final Four assignment in Columbus, OH in 2016. In addition, he is a long-time club volleyball referee and a MSHSAA basketball referee since 2007.
He completed his Doctorate, lives in the Northland and teaches in the Math
Department at Staley High School.
vice president of baseball/softball
Terry stevens
Hello, my name is Terry Stevens. It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as
GKCOA’s VP-Baseball/Softball Umpires for the last four years and I am seeking
re-election. Our goal as an association, and mine personally, has been to improve the quality and professionalism of our baseball and softball umpires. I believe we have made great strides in that direction. I have attempted to accomplish this through
meetings, clinics (not as many as we have hoped for), and most importantly,
through communication. As a longtime coach and umpire in the greater KC area, I have numerous contacts with coaches and AD’s and the number of positive reports I have received on individual umpires, as well as the quality and professionalism of the umpiring overall, greatly outnumber the number of complaints Dan and I have received. I am entering my 51st season as a baseball and softball umpire. I have worked at every level from 6-7 year olds, to high school, Legion, D-II and semi-pro ball baseball and similar levels (with the exception college) in softball. I was also a baseball coach at Winnetonka for 17 years. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the best
umpires to ever work in the KC area and gained from their invaluable teaching and experience and I try to pass that on whenever possible. I feel with my experience and background I can continue the good work we have started I and ask for your continued support. You have made me and the umpiring community look very good and very proud.
at-large directors
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.
gwendolyn litzsey
Experience:
Assistant Principal 07/2021 - Current
Eastgate 6th Grade Center | Kansas City, MO
• Developed and maintained student master schedule for the entire building for over 650 students.
• Implemented district and school policies and procedures in collaboration with Building Principal
• Coached and evaluated teachers on the effective use of instructional strategies in the classroom and classroom performance.
• Monitored and evaluated team attendance and facilitated policy improvements.
• Evaluated student behavior issues by reviewing established discipline standards and noting trends in infractions.
• Oversaw summer school programs and monitored activities for safe and encouraging learning environment.
• Directed school human resources including hiring, training, policy enforcement and legal compliance for school employing over 150 staff members.
• Oversaw school budgets, documented changes, and tracked expenses to allocate and manage school funds.
• Provided Instructional coaching on technology to over 150 staff members
Vice Principal of Learning Communities 01/2017 - 06/2021
Central High School | Kansas City, MO
• Implemented a $4M school improvement grant that fostered greater academic engagement
• Increased graduation rate from 35% to 78% and improved math and literacy rates by 20%
• Boosted participation in the district career readiness program at Manual Career and Technical Center by 45%, providing students with a strategic pathway following graduation.
• Devised and oversaw new programs for project - based instruction and school literacy
Assistant Principal 07/2016 - 01/2017
Arkadelphia High School | Arkadelphia, AR
• Ensured full adherence to Section 504, Title IX, and IDEA laws and regulations
• Assessed teaching and support staff and delivered exemplary development and instructional leadership strategies improving capabilities and testing outcomes.
Assistant Principal 07/2015 - 06/2016
Dollarway High School | Pine Bluff, AR
• Oversaw school budgets, documented changes, and tracked expenses to allocate and manage school funds.
• Assessed student performance, behavior and social development and devised improvement strategies for struggling children.
• Visited classrooms to evaluate teacher instructional techniques as part of annual evaluation cycle.
• Managed school administration operations and organized teacher schedules, student registration processes and class orientation sessions.
Education Doctor of Education: Educational Leadership 2023
Baker University | Overland Park, KS
Specialist of Education Degree: Educational Leadership 07/2014
Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR
Master of Education: Secondary Education 12/2010
University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR
Master of Business Administration: Public Administration 05/2009
University of Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ
Bachelor of Business Administration: Business Management 05/2003
University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR
Activities and
Honors
• National Association of Secondary Principals
• Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
• International Society of Technology in Education
• Jack and Jill of America, Inc
• Donnelly College, Distance Learning Committee
• Sigma Salutes Educational Foundation
• Sports Official (Football, Volleyball and Basketball)
Certifications • Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) - 2023
• Google Digital Marketing - 2022
• Google Analytics - 2022
• Lean Six Sigma White Belt - 2022
Licensing • MO Department of Education (DESE) Teacher/Administrator
• AR Department of Education Teacher/Administrator License
• MO Notary - State of Missouri
• KS Notary - State of Kansas
Joe Marchino
My goal is to provide proven, effective leadership in service to sports officials in the Kansas City area; enhance professional development; and further the reputation of officials in the community. I relocated to Liberty in 2016 following nearly four decades of service to the USAF to be near family.
SPORTS OFFICIAL EXPERIENCE:
- Seven years’ experience as MSHSAA-certified baseball umpire, 2017 - 2023
- One year experience as MSHSAA-certified cross country and track and field
official, 2022 - 2023
- NAIA baseball umpire for Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) and
Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC), 2018 - 2022
- Baseball umpire for collegiate-level summer baseball leagues: Ban Johnson,
Mid-Plains, and Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas (MINK), 2018 - 2022
- Six years’ experience as youth baseball umpire, ages 7-14, OK Kids, Moore OK,
1981 - 1986
- OK Kids Youth Baseball Board of Directors, 1985 - 1986
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: 39 years’ service in US Air Force; 30 years active
duty and 9 years civil service
Deputy Director, Support Officer Assignments, HQ AF Personnel Center, 2007 - 2016
Director, Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council, HQ Air Force, 2002 - 2006
Chief, Assignments and Readiness Division, HQ Pacific Air Forces, 2000 - 2002
Deputy Chief, Force Management Division, HQ Air Combat Command, 1997 - 2000
Commander, Air Force Flying Squadron, 18 th Wing, Kadena AB, Japan, 1995 – 1997
Instructor Pilot, HR Manager, Chief of Flight Operations, Safety Director, 1976 - 1995
FORMAL EDUCATION:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, M.S., Aeronautical Science, 1989
United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, B.S., Engineering Mechanics, 1976
U.S. Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, 1995
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS OFFICIAL AFFILIATIONS
KC Collegiate Umpires Alliance (KCCUA) Battlefields to Ballfields
Tim Hopkins
As I enter in my 26th year of officiating basketball ,8 years of umpiring softball and 4 years of
football it would be my pleasure to serve you as a GKCOA “At- Large Board member. Being
retired I can help out in numerous ways. Thanks for considering me to fill the position.
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