officers, directors, and assigners
dave misel
President
email: president@gkcoa.org
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 Wylies 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."
Vetta Manning
secretary
email: secretary@gkcoa.org
This is Vetta Manning’s first year serving as the GKCOA secretary. She has been a member of GKCOA for 7 years and officiates Volleyball and Basketball for the association. She has always had a love for sport and competition since she was a young child. Being a part of GKCOA provides her the opportunity to stay involved and give back to the sports community in the Greater Kansas City area.
Vetta is a local girl. She graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1997 and went on to play NAIA collegiate basketball at Ottawa University. She graduated from Ottawa University in 2001 with a BA in Secondary mathematics, and later earned her MS from Concordia University in Curriculum and Instruction with a math emphasis. One of her first jobs was working as a referee in the IYAA league growing up. She is very happy to be able to continue serving the kids and families in the community through officiating.
Vetta Manning is the proud mother of 1 daughter that attends KU. She worked for the Parkhill school district for 5 years and has worked in the Lee’s Summit school district the last 21 years. Over that time she served as a high school and club basketball coach.
kevin rowald
Treasurer
email: treasurer@gkcoa.org
Kevin is the Director of Parking & Transportation for the University of Kansas Medical Center where he oversees all aspects of theDepartment.
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.
Jason hill
Vice President of basketball
email: vpbasketball@gkcoa.org
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.
Jim Rusconi
Vice President of football
email: vpfootball@gkcoa.org
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.
Jamie Gehrke
Vice President of volleyball
email: vpvolleyball@gkcoa.org
Jamie Gehrke and his two children have lived in the Kansas City area since 2006, He has been a MSHSAA and GKCOA volleyball official since 2017. Additionally, he is both a club and college volleyball official. He has worked as a line judge for the NJCAA Division 1 National Championships in 2022 & 2023, and has worked multiple NAIA conference tournaments.
Jamie played multiple sports growing up, and began officiating intramural sports in college. He presently works for Triple Crown Sports, and over his career he has worked in human resources, leadership training, athletics, and has also founded and sold a handful of small promoting businesses.
Terry stevens
vice president of baseball/softball
My name is Terry Stevens and I am the first Vice President of Baseball/Softball for the GKCOA's expansion into Baseball and Softball. I was born and raised in St. Louis (go Cardinals and Blues!). I graduated from Affton High School in 1976 and from UMSL in 1980. I have two MA's from UMKC (Education and European History).
I moved to KC in 1980 to begin teaching at New Mark Middle School in the NKC District. After 4 years, I transferred to Winnetonka and taught history and government for 27 years before retiring following the 2010-11 school year. I coached football for 6 years and baseball for 17. I am widowed and have one son, Brendan, who is 26.
I began umpiring in 1973, doing 7 and 8 year old baseball and softball for $3 a game. I have worked high school, tournament, Legion, MINK and D-II baseball. I have worked numerous sectionals and quarterfinals and went to state in 2010 and 2014. In softball, I have worked high school (State 2008, 2013, and 2017) Men's and Women's Class A fast pitch (in St. Louis in the 70's) and various house leagues in St. Louis. My first umpire instructor was a former minor league umpire, Roy Jaeger. Roy taught me to always hustle, be loud, make your calls quick and walk away tough. He said the most important thing though, was to have fun. Umpiring is hard enough without seeming like work. Those are lessons that have stuck with me.
Miguel Warren
at-large director
Miguel has been a MSHSAA football official (31 yrs) and basketball official for (29 yrs), His crew was selected to work the Class 6A Football State Championships in 2019. Miguel graduated from Lincoln Academy HS in 1984 where he played Basketball, Baseball and Football as he was selected Fist Team Class 4A all-State as a Running Back.
Miguel have been employed at Zoetis Animal Health for 35yrs.
He is also a scheduler of Officials (youth sports) and Athletic Scheduler for KCPS
Miguel has 2 sons, Miguel Jr and Dominic Warren, who both worked MSHSAA games. He has 10 Grandchildren and is Married to his wife Karenina for 5yrs
He said he is who he is thanks to his mentor and (uncle) Diamond Warren who influenced him to become an official.
Miguel is Pastor of Evangelism and Prayer at the Church He attends.
Gene Millentree
at-large director
Gene spent his high school years in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and in 2013, was inducted into the Tiger High School Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in football, basketball, and track. He was a state high hurdles champion his senior year. He landed at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, participating in football, basketball and track. There he earned his B.S. degree in Physical Education and Health.He was inducted into the William Jewell Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
In 1975, Gene began coaching and teaching, and shortly thereafter, he caught the officiating bug, primarily officiating high school football and basketball. Gene went on to receive his Masters in Education from UCM, and his Educational Specialist degree from UMKC. Throughout his career in education, he worked as a school administrator and Director of Athletics in several districts.
Officiating has been his heart. This is his 42nd year as a registered MSHSAA football official, and he currently serves as a crew chief. He has worked three MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl Championships in football, as well as three MSHSAA Show-Me State Championships in basketball. Gene worked Division I basketball for Big 8/Big 12, Missouri Valley Conference and the Mid-Continent Conference. During that time, he worked several conference tournaments and championships. Finally, Gene has officiated for 25 years in MIAA football and 28 years in MIAA men’s basketball. In 2022, he was inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame for officiating.
He looks forward to serving on the GKCOA board. In addition, he will be working as a basketball observer for MSHSAA in the Kansas City area. In both roles, he hopes to
support officials by providing feedback and support, and is grateful for the opportunity.
He is retired, has finally picked up the sport of golf, and enjoys spending time with his family and fur baby, Zeke.
john kilmer
at-large director
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.
dan ogle
Basketball assigner
This coming season will be my 48th year as a registered basketball official with MSHSAA. I have had the privilege to be selected to 6 state finals and been honored as a Missouri Basketball Official of the Year. I have also been certified in baseball, softball and football. I am past president of the GKCOA having served a 6 year term.
I currently assign basketball officials for the GKCOA and will begin my 5th year as softball and baseball assigner for the Suburban Conference. In addition, I will begin my 30th year as basketball rules interpreter. I currently serve as a MSHSAA observer in the sports of football, basketball, baseball and softball. One last duty is to run the Mentor Program in basketball for the conference.
I am retired from the Independence School District, having spent 31 years in education. Twenty of those years as the AD at William Chrisman HS.
I am Married to Rhonda. We have 6 kids and 11 grandchildren.
david Thompson
volleyball assigner
I Started officiating football and basketball in Louisville, KY. Added volleyball after moving back to MO. I have helped train and assign officials in volleyball and basketball. I've officiated volleyball (small college and high school), football (semi-pro and college), basketball (USBL/IBA/ABA/PBL, college, high school), lacrosse, softball, baseball. I've also been a volunteer with Special Olympics for 20+ years at local, regional, state, national, and world games levels. I have officiated in 15+ states.
When not officiating, I like to ride my road bicycle, work with community charitable events, read, work puzzles, travel, go to wine tastings, mow the lawn, research family history, listen to jazz/R&B/soul/classic rock, and watch classic movies.
john hill
football assigner
John graduated from Raytown High School in 1970, where he was 1st team All Area, and 2 nd Team All Conference as a football participant. He attended Missouri Valley College from 1970-1973 where he lettered in Football and Baseball. He began is Officiating Career in 1980 and has been registered with MSHSAA for 44 Years as an Official in Football and Baseball. After a brief respite from Basketball he re-registered and has been actively registered as a Basketball Official for the last 25 years. John also Umpired Baseball @ the College Level for 10 years, working the Heart of America Conference and the MIAA. I was a member of the Kansas City Officials Association and have been a member
of GKCOA when it assimilated the KCOA since I began my Officiating Career. I have been the Football Assignor for GKCOA for approximately the last 21 years, and have been fortunate enough to see it grow into the premier Football
Association in the State of Missouri.
I have been an Independent Insurance Agent since 1982 to the present, and have
been happily married to my wife Janice since 1978.