RACINE, Wis. — Dana Pappas, Director of Officiating Services for the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Board Chair of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), has been added to the Battlefields2Ballfields (B2B) Board of Directors.
The announcement was made by former NASO Board Chair Mike Pereira, founder and chairman of Battlefields2Ballfields. Pereira founded B2B in 2017.
“I have known Dana for many years and have admired her work even prior to that,” Pereira said. “She brings a new dimension to our organization that will impact Battlefields2Ballfields in so many new and unique ways. All of us at B2B are pleased to have Dana on our team.”
Battlefields2Ballfields sponsors NASO memberships on an annual basis. Currently, more than 300 military veterans are part of the partnership program with NASO.
“B2B’s mission is one in sync with NASO’s and that is why the two organizations have been working in support of each other since the very inception of B2B,” said NASO President Barry Mano. “Mike’s concept of enabling military veterans to transition more smoothly into civilian life, and to use sports officiating as a mechanism to do that, is a wonderful idea. That every B2B scholarship recipient becomes a member of NASO is heartening. NASO’s benefits, including Referee magazine, member support and our robust insurance program, help each veteran realize a fulfilling officiating experience.”
An Albuquerque, New Mexico native, Pappas began her professional career in 1997 with the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA). After seven years at the NMAA, she was promoted to Commissioner of Officials in 2004.
In August of 2021, Pappas assumed a newly-created role as Director of Officiating Services for the NFHS in Indianapolis.
“Officiating has always been near and dear to my heart,” Pappas said. “The opportunity to work with Mike and all that he is doing with military veterans who aspire to become officials is a great challenge and one that I am looking forward to.”
Pappas was inducted into the New Mexico Officials Association Hall of Fame, Class of 2022. She and her husband Ed reside in Lebanon, Ind.
