NASO is led by a board of directors made up of sports officials and professionals from various athletic roles across the U.S. and Canada. The board members represent a wide range of sports and competitive levels.
The current NASO board of directors includes:
Bill Topp
Racine, Wisconsin
Chief Operating Officer and Executive Editor at Referee Magazine since 1990. Former high school and small college football and basketball official, and major college baseball umpire, with multiple postseason assignments. Member of the Officiating Development Alliance (ODA).
Lisa Jones
Salt Lake City, Utah
A women’s Division I college basketball referee for over 20 years, with 11 Final Four assignments. She is a former WNBA official and a retired Deputy Chief of the Phoenix Fire Department, as well as the retired Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for Phoenix.
Ron Torbert
Hanover, Maryland
An NFL referee since 2010, he previously officiated in the Big Ten Conference. He worked Super Bowl LVI (2022) between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals. Outside of officiating, he is a public speaker and former vice president and general counsel for the Barton Malow Company.
Dana Pappas
Lebanon, Indiana
After 24 years at the New Mexico Activities Association, including Deputy Director since 2012, Dana has joined the NFHS as Director of Officiating Services. She was on the Referee Magazine editorial board (2010-2012) and hosted the 2014 NASO Summit in Albuquerque.
Mark Uyl
DeWitt, Michigan
Current Executive Director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), formerly Assistant Director for officiating programs (2004-2018). NCAA D-I baseball umpire with College World Series and Pan American Games experience. Former NASO chair and board member. Member of the Officiating Development Alliance (ODA).
Dean Blandino
Santa Monica, California
NCAA National Coordinator of Instant Replay; Fox Sports Officiating Analyst for NFL and college football broadcasts. Previously served as the NFL’s Vice President of Officiating from 2013 to 2017 and as coordinator of officials for the XFL.
Paul LaRosa
Metairie, Louisiana
Past president and current executive committee member of the Louisiana High School Officials Association, with over 40 years as a high school football official. Member of the Greater New Orleans Football Officials Association and former liaison for Tulane University and the New Orleans Saints.
Jason Nickleby
Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Assistant Director and Coordinator of Officiating for the Minnesota State High School League. Currently a center judge in Big Ten football. Previously officiated high school and small college basketball, baseball, volleyball, and softball. Former assigner and local association leader.
Sandra Serafini
Yachats, Oregon
Serafini, a retired FIFA and collegiate soccer referee, officiated multiple NCAA Final Fours and international events. Now a consultant for PRO, she’s also a USSF National Referee-Coach, CONCACAF Elite Assessor, and adjunct professor at Duke’s Neurosurgery Department.
Rob Wigod
Los Alamitos, California
Retired Commissioner of Athletics for CIF-Southern Section, overseeing athletic administration, character development, committees, and membership. Former high school football/baseball coach and athletic director. Works with the California Basketball Officials Association, an NASO partner.
Gary Zielinski
South Jordan, Utah
NBA Referee Operations Department, Youth and Amateur Officiating Development Lead. Retired NBA referee with over 1,000 regular-season games and 18 playoff games officiated. Also serves as a clinician, camp coordinator, and public speaker.
Non-Director Officers and Special Advisers
Barry Mano
Racine, Wisconsin
Chief strategy officer at Referee, founder/publisher of Referee magazine (1975), founder/past president of NASO (1980), former NCAAM D-I basketball official (23 years), renowned speaker on officiating issues, and member of ODA & OCA.
Ron Foxcroft
Hamilton, Ontario
Founder and CEO of Fox 40 International; CEO of a major North American logistics company; Honorary Colonel of the Argyll and Sutherland Regiment; former NCAA D-I and Olympic basketball official; multiple hall of fame inductee; NASO partner and Gold Whistle Award recipient.
