PIHA Announces New Organizational Structure as League Continues National Growth

As the Professional Inline Hockey Association continues its national expansion, the league has announced a new organizational structure designed to support long-term growth, improve communication, and create a clearer chain of command across all levels of operation.

The updated structure reflects PIHA’s continued evolution as the league expands its footprint throughout the United States and beyond. With growth comes the need for stronger internal systems, defined responsibilities, and dedicated leadership in every major area of league operations. The new model is intended to provide that foundation.

At the top of the structure remains league ownership under the Yoder Family, with the Board of Governors serving as the primary leadership group responsible for guiding PIHA’s strategic direction, policies, operations, and long-term development.

Board of Governors to Lead League Direction

The PIHA Board of Governors will oversee the league’s core decision-making and administrative direction. The board includes:

Charles Yoder — Founder
Yoder’s responsibilities include protecting the integrity of the game, helping create the annual business plan and operating budget, guiding the league’s strategic direction in both the United States and non-U.S. areas, overseeing marketing and league branding, and helping shape the future direction and affairs of PIHA. He will also play a key role in fan growth and engagement.

CJ Yoder — President
As President, CJ Yoder will act as Chairman of the Board while also serving as caretaker of the PIHA Finals. His role includes overseeing the five-person referee council, helping guide the growth and concept of Jr PIHA and the Draft, and managing negotiations and relationships with other hockey organizations.

Anthony Flynn — Commissioner
Newly named, Flynn will continue to oversee daily league operations, including management of the PIHA website, regional managers, and day-to-day game operations. His responsibilities also include future expansion in the United States and directing the awards ceremonies at the PIHA Finals.

Jim Vanhorn — Chief Financial Advisor
Vanhorn will oversee corporate financial, legal, and insurance matters. He will also play a key role in the league’s short- and long-term business planning.

Together, the Board of Governors will be responsible for setting league policies, upholding bylaws, approving major decisions, and guiding the strategic growth of PIHA.

Board of Directors Expands League Oversight

Below the Board of Governors, PIHA’s Board of Directors will provide leadership across the league’s major operational departments. This includes regional directors, Jr PIHA leadership, draft operations, national operations, and officiating.

The regional director structure is designed to give each geographic area a primary point of contact for team communication, scheduling, rink coordination, fee collection, and local growth.

The current regional director assignments are:

Northeast: Anthony Flynn
Southeast: Gannon Karmire
Mid-America: Dillon Kelley
Mountain: CJ Yoder
West: TBA
Inter-Continental: Charles Yoder

These regional directors will serve as the main contacts for their regions while helping secure teams, schedule games, coordinate rinks, collect fees, and promote inline hockey within their respective areas.

Jr PIHA and Draft Operations Receive Dedicated Leadership

As PIHA continues to focus on player development and the next generation of inline hockey athletes, the league has also formalized leadership for Jr PIHA and Draft Operations.

For Jr PIHA, Denis Jelcic will serve as Eastern Commissioner, while CJ Yoder will serve as Western Commissioner. Jr PIHA leadership will be responsible for securing and scheduling players, teams, rinks, referees, and scorekeepers, while also collecting membership and game fees for the conference.

Draft Operations will be led by Denis Jelcic as Eastern Director of Draft and Matt Levine as Western Director of Draft. Draft leadership will be responsible for promoting the draft, securing players, ranking and conducting the yearly draft on Labor Day, and securing prize packs.

National Operations and Officiating Departments Established

The new structure also includes a dedicated National Operations department, which will focus on league-wide marketing, media, sales, and growth initiatives.

The National Marketing and Sales Director position is currently listed as TBA, as is the National Media Director position. These roles will be responsible for driving marketing, sales, and media initiatives designed to grow PIHA’s brand and increase fan engagement.

The Officiating Department has also been organized regionally, with head referees assigned across the league:

Northeast Head Referee: Ben Bruno
Southeast Head Referee: Chris Roche
Mid-America Head Referee: Alan Chapman
Mountain Head Referee: Luis Bustamante
West Head Referee: Rob Coggin

Regional head referees will be responsible for leading by example, scheduling and ensuring referee coverage, managing game situations, and upholding the league’s highest officiating standards.

Building for the Future of Inline Hockey

The updated organizational structure is more than an internal chart. It is a reflection of PIHA’s continued commitment to integrity, competition, growth, community, and the future of inline hockey.

By defining leadership roles and creating clear lines of responsibility, the league is positioning itself to better support teams, players, officials, facilities, and fans as PIHA continues to expand.

With regional directors handling local operations, dedicated leaders guiding Jr PIHA and Draft programs, and a formalized officiating structure in place, the league is building a more sustainable foundation for national growth.

As PIHA moves forward, the new chain of command will serve as a key part of the league’s next chapter—one focused on structure, accountability, and continued expansion across the inline hockey landscape.