June 30, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

..The Florida Football Alliance is pleased to announce the formation of the Florida Football Alliance Referees Association (FFARA).  The FFRA is under the direction of the newly appointed league’s Vice President of Officiating Mr. Alex Barinaga. Alex served as referee for Alliance Bowl I, and was the league’s director of training and rules interpreter prior to his appointment.

Assisting Mr. Barinaga, is the FFARA’s newly appointed Director of Officiating Operations Mr. Gerardo “Jerry” Gomez. Jerry served as umpire for Alliance Bowl I, and was the league’s eastern conference supervisor of officials prior to his appointment. Jerry will oversea the league’s game day operations such as membership, scheduling, logistics, etc.

This marks the first time in Florida’s Minor League history that a representative of the officiating department is a member of the league’s executive board of directors.  Full biographies of the newly appointed directors are located below. For more information on becoming a member of the FFARA contact them via email at ffara@ymail.com

Alex Barinaga – Vice President of Officiating

...Alex began officiating in 1995 in Miami, Fl. Member of the South Florida Football Officials Association where he worked local area youth leagues. He currently serves as Rules Interpreter for the SFFOA and has worked numerous championships including the Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance, and the Pop Warner Super Bowl. Alex began officiating high school football in 1996 as a member of the Greater Miami Athletic Conference Football Officials Association. He currently serves as Rules Interpreter for the GMACFOA and is a varsity back judge. He has worked numerous FHSAA playoff games. Alex began officiating college football in 2003 as a member of the Gulf South Conference, where he currently serves as a back judge on referee Bob Dunham’s crew. Alex began officiating professional indoor football in 2005 in the National Indoor Football League where he served as a back judge in 2005 and a referee in 2006. He worked conference semi-final in 2005 as a back judge. He began officiating Minor League Football in 1999, as a member of the Miami-Dade Officials Association, and since has worked numerous leagues including the Southeastern Football League, the Southern States Football League, and the Diamond Football League.
Gerardo “Jerry” Gomez – Director of Officiating Operations

Gerardo “Jerry” Gomez – Director of Officiating Operations

.... Jerry currently serves President of the South Florida Football Officials Association where he is actively recruiting, and training new officials; as well as assigning officials to more than 4,280 games. He also serves as Treasurer of the Greater Miami Athletic Conference Football Officials Association, which services over 35 public and private schools in Miami-Dade County.  He has officiated over 100 games in the Southern States, Southeast and Diamond Football Leagues in his eleven years as an official, and as an official in the National Indoor Football League for the last two years.  He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Alliance both on the field as a working official and off as an assigner and association leader.  He strongly believes that “officials, regardless of their level, are professionals must be committed to their trade, know the rules, and carry themselves as the professionals they are at all times.” 

      For further information please contact Eddie Starlings VP Football Operations at 941 713-5712