Chair, Officials Assembly
The Officials Assembly
The Officials Assembly, comprised of officials from all roles and levels, helps the recruitment, education, certification, deployment and retention of officials throughout volleyball. See who represents you on the OA and in other roles.
Bonnie Apol: Re-elected At-large National Indoor Scorers Representative
Candidate Biography
I am a lifelong volleyball enthusiast! From High School volleyball in Michigan, to the FIVB Beach World Championships in Hamburg in 2019, it’s been a blast. I’ve been fortunate to have been mentored by so many wonderful people who exemplify passion for the game and helping it grow. I’m eager to follow in their footsteps now, by offering the experience and insights that I’ve gained along the way, to help a new generation of volleyball professionals start to take the stage. I’ve played and I’ve coached, but it was while I was “behind the scenes” as a Scorer that I began to get a feeling for how I might best “give back” to the sport I love. As a Scorer indoors and on the beach, I have used both traditional and electronic scoresheets. As a teacher & coach, I’m experienced in carrying the message forward. I’d be honored to serve the USAV Officials Assembly as an At Large Member of the Advisory Group.
Candidate Resume
Indoor Experience and Certifications 2003- Current
- USAV RMR Showdown, Greeley, Colorado- Tournament director 2006- Current
- USAV-RMR scorer clinician 1997-2004
- Best of America (Juniors), Kalamazoo, Michigan Tournament director
- 2001 USA Volleyball indoor national scorer certification
- 1998 USA Volleyball indoor Jr. national scorer certification
Beach Experience 2000-current
- 2019 FIVB Beach World Championships- Hamburg, Germany
- Scorer 2018 FIVB Beach 5 Star tour- Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
- Head Scorer 2015 FIVB Beach 5 Star tour- Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
- Scorer 2015 FIVB/AVP Beach- St. Petersburg, Florida
- Scorer 2014 FIVB Beach 5 Star tour- Long Beach, California
- Scorer 2012 FIVB Beach 5 Star tour- Long Beach, California
- Scorer 2002 FIVB Beach tour Carson, California
- Scorer 2002-2012 AVP Tour- Official, Scorer, and lines person
- 2000 FIVB Oldsmobile Alero, Chicago, Illinois
NCAA Experience 1999- Current
- Michigan State University scorer 1999
- University of Denver- Scorer/ Table crew assigner 2001- Current
- University of Colorado- Scorer 2000-current Coaching Experience
- 1997- Current Little spikers club at my elementary schools where I have been the PE teacher
- 2017- Current Castle View High School Varsity assistant 2017 State Champions!
- 2002-2004 Colorado Juniors 15’s assistant coach, Monument, Colorado
- 1997-2000 Rochester High School JV coach Rochester Hills, Michigan
- 1997 Portage Northern High School Varsity assistant 1997 State Champions!
- 1995-1997 Dead Frog 14’s coach, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Professional Career
- 2000- Current Douglas County School District, (Colorado) Elementary PE Teacher
- 1997-2000 Rochester Community Schools (Michigan)- Elementary PE Teacher
Officials Assembly Elections
This year, four positions on the Officials Assembly are up for election. Those four positions are as follows:
- At-large ParaVolley Officials Representative: Tim Harlow re-elected Feb. 2022
- At-large RVA Indoor Referees Representative: Donnie Goodwin re-elected April 2022
- At-large National Indoor Scorers Representative: Bonnie Apol re-elected June 2022
- At-large National Beach Officials Representative
As each election approaches, more information will be posted below.
OFFICIALS ASSEMBLY ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL (PDF)
At-large National Beach Officials Representative Election
USA Volleyball is starting the election process and accepting applications for the At-large National Beach Officials Representative to the Officials Assembly. This position is a four-year term beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2026.
USA Volleyball is starting the election process and accepting applications for the At-large National Beach Officials Representative to the Officials Assembly. This position is a four-year term beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2026.
Selection Process
Selection: The Officials Assembly of USA Volleyball (“Officials Assembly”) shall make a reasonable effort to identify a minimum of two (2) nominees to the USAV Officials Nominating Committee (NC) with self-nomination also encouraged. The NC will evaluate the nominees against both the General and the Minimum Criteria taking the opportunity to solicit additional information from the nominee or others as useful and determine whether the nomination shall go forward or not. In the event a nominee was judged by the NC to fail to meet the criteria, the nominee shall have the right to request and receive the rationale. The ONC shall forward the final slate of qualified nominees to the Chair of the Officials Assembly to conduct the election.
Balloting Procedure
Election shall require a simple majority of the votes cast by members eligible to vote, which are all Zonal/National Beach Officials. Each member may only cast one (1) vote per ballot, and proxies shall not be permitted. If a majority is not obtained on the first ballot another ballot shall be distributed excluding the candidate with the fewest votes on the previous ballot. The process shall be repeated until a candidate receives a majority of the votes cast.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Serve on the Officials Assembly Administrative Council (OAAC)
- Meet once in May at the USAV Annual Meetings (subject to budget approval)
- Meet remotely as requested by the Chair
Eligibility & Membership Requirements
- Be a current registrant of a USAV Region free from any suspensions or holds
- Have currently cleared the USAV-approved Background Screen
- Have current SafeSport training
- Be a currently certified Zonal/National Beach Official
In addition, a successful candidate is required to register with USAV, pass a USAV background screening and have SafeSport training.
Should additional information be required, please contact Pati Rolf at officials@usav.org.
Meet the Candidates: At-large National Beach Officials Representative
Candidate Biography
I have been fortunate enough to be involved in the sport of volleyball since 1988 and began my officiating career in 1993. Earning my Junior National rating in 1997, National rating in 1998 and my Beach National rating in 1999, working my first AVP Pro Beach event in 1997. I received my FIVB International Beach Official certification in 2012. Throughout my career as an official, I’ve been a member of training and rating teams and have mentored many officials.
In addition to my officiating experience, I am the current At-Large Beach Officials Representative to the OAAC, USAV Beach Rules Interpretor and am starting my second year as part of the Indoor Referee Coach team.
For my non-volleyball profession, I work for the Ventura County Fire Department as a Support Analyst in the IT Technical Services team.
Candidate Resume
- USAV National Indoor Referee (1997 to present)
- USAV National Outdoor Referee (1999 to present)
- FIVB International Beach Referee (2012 to present)
- AVP Professional Beach Volleyball Tour Referee (1997 to present)
- Member – USAV Beach Training, Evaluation, and Certification Team
- USAV Indoor Referee Coach (2021 to present)
- USAV Beach Volleyball Rules Interpretor (2020 to present)
- Member – USAV Rules Commission (2020 to present)
- Southern California Volleyball Association Beach Officials Liaison
- Assignor of local High School Referee Association
- Collegiate Beach Volleyball Assignor (Southern California area)
- Officiated multiple Championships at different levels:
- USAV – Juniors, Adults, Beach and Indoors (numerous times)
- AVP Professional Beach Tour (numerous times)
- Collegiate Beach
- Pac-12 Championships (2016, 2018)
- WCC Championships (2016, 2017, 2018, 2022)
- Big West Championships (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021)
- AVCA Beach Championships (2014)
- NCAA Beach Championships (2017, 2021, 2022)
- High School (boys and girls, numerous times)
- FIVB Beach U-17 World Championships (2014)
- NCAA Women’s Division I Volleyball Championships
- First and Second Rounds – 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
- Regionals – 2015
Candidate Biography
I am currently a USAV National Beach Official and serve as the Gulf Coast Region (GCR) Beach Ref Chair. I have been actively involved in officiating and training in Beach Volleyball and have probably worked with most of you that are voting on this position.
In the GCR we hold 2-3 Local Beach Ref Clinics every year, and we have hosted a joint Zonal/Local certification Clinic every other year for the last 6 years. GCR Local Beach Ref certification has been recognized by the other USAV Regions in the Southeast, and I have consulted with Officials in many other parts of the US on setting up Local Beach Ref Clinics. In the GCR, which is relatively small in comparison to other Regions, we host 12-15 Jrs. Beach events each year that stretches from Panama City Beach, FL to Waveland, MS. Some of these events are small (6-7 courts), and some are quite large (50-60 courts). We use certified Beach Refs at all GCR Jrs. Beach events, which are all on the white sugar sand of the Gulf Coast. I serve as the Head Ref at most of these Jrs. Events.
Twice a year, I serve as the Head Ref for the Adults Fudpuckers (FUDS) tournaments in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. Most of you may have heard of this 30+ year gathering of Adult players from all over the country. I also officiate Collegiate Beach Volleyball and been honored to officiate at both team and pairs National Collegiate Championships. Thank you.
Candidate Resume
BEACH CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS
USAV National Beach Certified – 2018 to Present
USAV Zonal Beach Certified — 2012 to 2018
USAV Local Beach Certified — 2010 to 2012
Gulf Coast Region (GCR) Beach Ref Chair/Assignor— 2014 to Present
GCR Head Clinician & Evaluator — 2014 to Present
GCR Representative to the Member Organization Junior Beach (MOJB) Commission
BEACH OFFICIATING WORK EXPERIENCE
USAV Juniors — 2013 to Present
GCR Beach holds 13-15 events every year from February to November. Events range from 5-60 beach courts. Serve as Head Ref at most GCR Jrs. events, which are Ref monitored, including officiating all age group finals. Assign Beach Refs to all GCR Jrs. Events. Twice a year GCR holds 4×4 Jrs. player events.
- AVP 1st Beach Official
- NVL Rise Beach Official
- Adults – 2015 to Present
Twice a year the Emerald Coast Volleyball Club sponsors the Fudpuckers (FUDS) Adult Beach tournament, which is a 5-day beach fest. The first 3-days are variations of pairs, pick-a-player, King/Queen of Beach, and culminates with a 2-day 4×4 tournament with 40-70 beach courts. Serve on tournament staff and serve as the Head Ref for the event.
College Beach — 2013 to Present
Regular Season. Assigned to officiate approximately 15-20 dates during the College Beach season. The number of matches per day varies from 6-12.
Post Season:
2013 AVCA Beach Championships as Scorer & Line Judge
2014 AVCA Beach Championships as R-2 & Line Judge
2015 AVCA Beach Championships as Line Judge
2016 NCAA Beach Championships as Line Judge
2017 NCAA Beach Championships as R-I, R-2 & Line Judge
2018 NCAA Beach Championships as R-I, R-2 & Line Judge
2019 NCAA Beach Championships as R-I, R-2 & Line Judge
2021* NCAA Beach Championships as R-I, R-2 & Line Judge
2022 NCAA Beach Championships as R-I, R-2 & Line Judge
*2020 Championships Postponed due to COVID
Professional Beach — 2012 to Present
FIVB
NORCECA
AVP
NVL
Officials Assembly Administrative Council | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | Career Highlights |
 Carlos Rodriguez | Officials Assembly Chair |
|
 Ken Taylor | International Officials Commission |
|
 Lena Gustafson | National Indoor Officials Commission |
|
 Thang Nguyen | National Beach Officials Commission Rep |
|
 Donnie Goodwin | At-Large RVA Indoor Referees Rep |
|
 Jane Dong | At-Large RVA Indoor Scorers Rep |
|
 Ryan Macdowell | At-Large RVA Beach Officials Representative |
|
 Steve Franco | At-Large National Indoor Referees Rep |
|
 Bonnie Apol | At-Large National Indoor Scorers Rep |
|
 Tony Chan | At-Large National Beach Officials Rep. |
|
 Tim Harlow | At-Large ParaVolley Officials Rep |
|
 Steve Kenyon | Board of Directors Rep |
|
 Angelle Simms | OA Rep to the USAV Admin Council |
|
National Indoor Officials Commission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Role | |
| Margaret (Lena) Gustafson | Chair | lgusto85@hotmail.com |
| Donnie Goodwin | Member | don.usaref@gmail.com |
| Tim Harlow | Member | tim3407@msn.com |
| Becky Brockney | Member | beckersbroc@hotmail.com |
| Rod Rodriguez | Member | rod-rodriguez@usa.net |
| Pati Rolf | USAV Staff Liaison | pati.rolf@usav.org |
National Beach Officials Commission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Role | |
| Thang Nguyen | Chair | tgnmossimo@aol.com |
| Gigi Prieto | Member | GigiPrieto17@gmail.com |
| Kirsten Boessneck | Member | kirrierose@hotmail.com |
| Greg Clark | Member | gcdadof3@gmail.com |
| Katy Meyer | Member | katy.meyer@me.com |
| Pati Rolf | USAV Staff Liaison | pati.rolf@usav.org |
International Officials Commission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Role | |
| Ken Taylor | Chair | ktaylor69@cox.net |
| Joe Campbell | Member | iokepa1@yahoo.com |
| Keith Murlless | Member | kmurlless@gmail.com |
| Mary Blalock | Member | maryholly@aol.com |
| Julie Voeck | Member | jvoeck@runbox.com |
| Pati Rolf | USAV Staff Liaison | pati.rolf@usav.org |
USA Volleyball is Here to Help
USA Volleyball (USAV) is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of volleyball in the United States and is recognized by the Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). The vision of USA Volleyball is to be acknowledged as the world leader in volleyball.
USA Volleyball is committed to and works toward opportunity for all to participate. It is an advocate for all Americans endeavoring to assure universal access to opportunities at all levels of the game. If you have any questions, please contact USA Volleyball.
Contact USAVUSAV Officials Leadership
Carlos Rodriguez
Pati Rolf
Director, Officials Development
Stephanie Evans
Coordinator, Officials Development
Matt Podschweit
Instructional Systems Designer