(Feb. 15, 2006) -- Tim Millis, a former NFL official and a resident of Wylie, Texas, has been named the executive director of the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA). Millis, who has served as the supervisor of officials for the Big 12 Conference since 1996, will take over his new responsibilities on March 1.
Millis will become the fourth executive director in the 25-year history of the NFLRA. The announcement was made Feb. 15 by NFLRA president Jeff Bergman.
"Tim is a perfect fit for this job and will be a great asset to our association," said Bergman. "The position has been restructured so that he will be the first fulltime executive director who is not an active official, and we view that as a very strong positive for the membership.
"He is uniquely qualified for this position because he has an extensive management background -- both in and out of officiating -- that complements his thorough understanding of the profession."
"I'm very honored to walk in the footsteps Ed Marion, Jerry Markbreit and Bill Carollo who have guided this organization since its inception," said Millis. "I look forward to working with the NFL and representing this group of professionals."
From 1989 to 2001, Millis served as a field judge in the NFL and worked two Super Bowls (XXIX and XXXIII) and three conference championship games. Prior to his NFL service, he was a collegiate official for nine years, including five seasons with the Southwest Conference (1984-88). Millis also has 13 years of high school officiating experience in Mississippi, Florida and Texas.
A native of Mendenhall, Miss., Millis earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from Millsaps College in 1967. He was the MVP of the Millsaps football team in 1965 and later became a member of the school's athletic hall of fame. Following graduation, he embarked on a 17-year career with the IRS that preceded 22 years as a self-employed financial investigative consultant.
Past NFLRA executive directors: Ed Marion (1972-1991), Jerry Markbreit (1992-1999), Bill Carollo (2000-2006)
