James Simerson
President

James Simerson was named the eighth president of the GEFA on August 11, 2019. James presides over America's longest running eight-man amateur football league and oversees all administrative aspects of the league, along with day-to-day league operations with an additional focus on strengthening existing franchises and recruiting owners for league expansion.

Simerson is no stranger to the GEFA, having spent time as a coach and team owner before becoming President. He coached and was part owner of the NEPA Shock from 2016-2020. As a coach, he helped guide the Shock to four straight Valley Conference Championship appearances. The Shock posted a regular season record of 42-8 under Simerson's leadership earning him two Coach of the Year Awards (2017 & 2020).

In 2017, James Simerson, along with Brent Melhorn, started the Youtube channel to verify stats and to make sure we kept our league records intact with integrity. Also, later in that year he developed the league's first ever media page (Inside the GEFA) which brings you the Inside the GEFA podcast as well as created the alumni association so that former players can keep in touch with the league.

Simerson is the first board member to hold the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President. Currently, James Simerson is in his fourth term (third 2 year term) as President. No other President has held that title for as many terms and years as James Simerson.

Thor Marlow
Vice President

Thor Marlow has been in the league since 2015. He started as a player for the State College Flash before becoming the owner and head coach of the Moshannon Valley Vikings. As a head coach he has won two Keystone Bowls (XVIII & XX).

In 2016, he became league secretary and won person of the year that same year. The following two years Thor won back to back Coach of the Year Awards (2017-18).

Over the years, Thor has had several different roles within the league including, Expansion Director - West (two years) and even as a Conference Director in 2018. This past year, under the recommendation of James Simerson, Thor Marlow became the league's thirteenth Vice President after Brent Melhorn's retirement this past season.

As Vice President, Thor Marlow oversees the Expansion Directors to make sure we are bringing in quality teams into the GEFA as well as being the chair of the Bylaws Committee.

Billy Minnick
Treasurer

Billy Minnick started his career as a coach back in 2020 with the Hazleton Mustangs. The following year he stepped up and became the new owner. This past year, 2023, the Mustangs made it to the playoffs for the first time in their history.

This past year, Billy took on the challenge of taking over as treasurer after Kevin Kline vacated the position after the 2023 season. This will be Billy's first time holding an office in the GEFA.

As league Treasurer it'll be Billy's job to secure sponsorship packages for the league. He will also be tasked with being the chair of the Finance Committee along with making sure the league balances its budget each season.

Joe Chihany
Secretary

This will also be Joe's first time holding an office within the GEFA. Joe has been around for a long time, but as a player. Last year, 2023, Joe too stepped up into an ownership role. This season Joe stepped up once more by becoming the league's eleventh secretary.

As league Secretary it'll be Joe's job next season to collect all league data during the week including Injury Reports, Stats, Film, League Pictures, as well as taking meeting notes.

Brent Melhorn
Director of Football Operations

After a short lived retirement, Brent Melhorn is back to deal with the day to day football operations of the league during the season. This will be the first year of the position and we couldn't think of a better position to be the inaugural Director of Football Operations.

Brent Melhorn brings seventeen years of experience to the board after serving as a Conference Director and the longest serving Vice President (five years) in league history. Like Thor Marlow, Brent started off as a player for the Mount Joy Cyclones in 2009 before becoming a coach and eventually the owner of the team. During his time as a coach, Brent won seven Keystone Bowls, six as Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator. He is also the winningest coach in GEFA history with a record of 73-1 during the regular season.

Melhorn will be tasked with overseeing the Conference Directors as well as seeking Special Counsel from our new Senior Advisors. Brent also oversees the Stats Committee which he has done since 2017. Melhorn's main goal as Director of Football Operations is to fill in the role usually put aside for the Vice President to make sure there is no bias and that someone not involved with the league is overseeing the Conference Directors disciplinary decisions.

Ron Kerr
Regional Director (Mountain)

Ron Kerr is going into his second season as a director. Kerr brings to the GEFA over twenty years of football experience, from being an owner of the Central Penn Piranha to the Head Coach of the Cumberland Valley Hitmen. When he was a coach in the league, Kerr accumulated an impressive record of 38-2, winning the 2021 Keystone Bowl, and two Coach of the Year Awards (2016 & 2021).

When Ron isn't making disciplinary decisions in the GEFA, he serves as a Sheriff's Deputy in Cumberland County.

Jim Gibson
Asst. Regional Director (Mountain)

Jim Gibson is an old school original. Gibson started his career playing for the Susquehanna Valley Stallions before starting the Williamsport Wildcats (the league's oldest team). As Head Coach, Jim has accumulated a 38-20 record. Jim has won two Coach of the Year Awards (2008 & 2011) and won his only Keystone Bowl in 2008.

While being in the league, Jim Gibson was the owner of the Wildcats, a member of the Board of Commissioners until it dissolved and was the league's first Vice President under Zane Simpson back in 2010.

Ray Klinger
Director of Officials (Mountain)

Ray Klinger is entering his 11th season in the GEFA. Ray brings over 30 years of on-field officiating experience to the GEFA, having officiated in the NCAA, PIAA, and AAL. Ray has officiated in nine Keystone Bowls, making him the longest active official when it comes to the Keystone Bowl.

In this new role, Director of Officiating, Klinger will be in charge of rules and interpretation meetings as well as scheduling officials for the Mountain Conference.

Travis Grobes
Regional Director (Valley)

Travis Grobes returns as a Director for the first time since 2020. In 2006, Travis joined the then PFL/6 with the Susquehanna Valley Stallions and won the first ever Offensive MVP. In 2010, Travis became a coach and a co-owner of the Back Mountain Mayhem. That year, an unknown expansion team went 10-0 and won the Keystone Bowl in dominating fashion.

Grobes brings to the league in this role over twenty years of experience. During the time when he was a Conference Director before Travis made several tough decisions that made the league better when it comes to discipline that was both tough yet fair.

John Thellion
Asst. Regional Director (Valley)

Coming back to the league for the first time since 2021, one of the founding fathers of the GEFA, John Thellion. Back in 2005, it was John Thellion, Travis Wrobbel, and Bill Smith who sat at a picnic table at a state park and mapped out what would become the Great Eastern Football Association. John created the Board of Commissioners and even coined the name "Keystone Bowl."

Thellion spent several years as the leader of the GEFA before leaving to be the Commissioner of another league. John brings twenty plus years of experience back to the GEFA which helps the GEFA immensely as it turns the page into the next era.

Chris Bilger
Director of Officials (Valley)

Chris Bilger is entering his 5th season in the GEFA. Chris has been an official since 2008, having officiated in AFA, AFCA, ECFA, NEAFL, AAL, and PIAA. Up to this point, Chris has officiated in three Keystone Bowls.

In this new role, Director of Officiating, Bilger will be in charge of rules and interpretation meetings as well as scheduling officials for the Valley Conference.

Vinnie Colianni
Regional Director (Coastal)

Vinnie Colianni returns for his second season as a Director. Colianni will take over as the Director of the new Coastal Region. Before being a Director, Vinnie served as a coach with the NEPA Shock and a player with the Back Mountain Mayhem which won a Keystone Bowl.

Colianni brings over 15 years experience to the GEFA. Vinnie also coaches High School Football at Wyoming Valley West where he has been for years.

Frank Susino
Asst. Regional Director (Coastal)

Frank Susino is another PFL/6 original returning to help the GEFA. Susino was a player and a coach for the Bayshore Brawlers. Under Susino's leadership the Brawlers won three Keystone Bowls (II, III, & V). He also won two Coach of the Year Awards (2007 & 2009). The Brawlers were the original dynasty.

Before the GEFA, Frank served as a talent scout for the Trenton Steel arena team then once joining the league served on the Board of Commissioners with Jim Gibson and John Thellion. Susino brings over twenty years experience back to the GEFA.

Mark Lance
Director of Officials (Coastal)

Mark Lance is entering his 6th season as an official in the GEFA. Mark started officiating back in 2010 and became a white hat within the GEFA in 2020. Along with the GEFA, Lance also is a PIAA official. He has also served several teams such as the Savages, Mustangs, and Warriors. Keystone XX was the first Keystone Bowl Lance has worked.

In this new role, Director of Officiating, Lance will be in charge of rules and interpretation meetings as well as scheduling officials for the Coastal Conference.