Dan Blum Coordinator of Officials HOMETOWN: Lafayette, Louisiana EDUCATION: University of Louisiana-Lafayette CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 10 years as an official, Commissioner, and Coordinator of Officials in indoor football. 40 years as on on-field official, including 25 years in Division I football. 7 years as a Replay Official in Conference USA. PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS: Insurance agent, married with three children and four grandchildren. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jeff Gonos Compliance Director HOMETOWN: Columbus, GA EDUCATION: Penn State University CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Jeff joins the PIFL as the Director of Compliance after spending the last 13 seasons working for professional football teams. He began his career with the Erie Invaders of the Indoor Football League in 1999 before moving on to the AF2 Greensboro Prowlers from 2000-2003. In 2004, Gonos spent time doing a Football Operations internship with the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Following the internship, Gonos moved on to work with the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe as the teams’ Operation Manager. The Admirals captured the World Bowl Championship that year behind the arm of Big 10 quarterback Kurt Kitner (Illinois) and University of Miami running back, Jarrett Payton. Gonos then returned to the Arena Football League as the Director of Football Operations for the Austin Wranglers from 2005-2007 managin to make the playoffs in his first season. After 2007 the Arena Football League suspended operations Gonos took the General Managers position with the Columbus Lions. While with the Lions, the team made the playoffs every year, compiled a 40-11 regular season record, and won the 2010 SIFL Championship. PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS: In 2009, Gonos founded a non-profit sport and social club for adults and children to play in well organized and fun recreational sports called Beyond the Game Sports. He currently runs the day to day operations of the club along with promoting the annual Georgia vs Alabama High School Indoor Classic and the Military Classic which is the first ever indoor football game featuring the Army against the Marines. Gonos played quarterback at Grove City College before transferring to Penn State to pursue his degree in Biology. He resides in Columbus, GA with his family, Ashley, Dylan (7), and Reese (2). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matthew Hester Communications Director HOMETOWN: Columbus, GA EDUCATION: Columbus State University CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Matthew has been involved with indoor football for the past five seasons. Hester got his start as a Media Relations Intern with the Columbus Lions and dropped the intern status the following season. In 2010, Hester served as the Media Relations Director for the Southern Indoor Football League while also serving in the front office for the Columbus Lions as they captured their first indoor championship. Matthew also has worked with both ESPN radio and television covering The STIHL TimberSports Series and Tuskegee vs. Morehouse Classic. In addition, helped with the broadcast of Fort Benning Doughboys vs. Team James All-Stars on Sirius XMRadio and the Sports Byline USA Network. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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