The DCHOA Board of Directors is comprised of 12 members who are elected to serve a two-year term.
Candidates were asked to provide short summary about themselves and why they are running for the Board. Responses provided by the candidates are below.
Candidates
Dave Armstrong
I have been around hockey since a young age: first as a player, then as a coach, later as a West Madison Polar Caps board member, and most recently as an official (since 2019) and DCHOA board member (since 2024). I love hockey, and it’s a privilege to remain involved in the game as an official. As a DCHOA board member, I have enjoyed mentoring our newest officials on and off the ice, and promoting the organization to our members and the local hockey community. I would be honored to continue to serve in this capacity, and appreciate your consideration.
Chad Craighill
As a DCHOA incumbent and current Board Treasurer completing my 10th year as an on-ice official, I bring a decade of refereeing experience paired with an understanding of our association’s financial and administrative operations.
I am seeking re-election to ensure continued fiscal responsibility while expanding efforts on official development. Having navigated my own career without access to structured training, I recognize the importance of preparing new officials for their first games and providing experienced officials with ongoing mentorship and feedback necessary for continued growth.
Nano Espenes
I have been a DCHOA member and hockey official since 2001 and have proudly served on the DCHOA Board of Directors for over a decade. For the past six years, I have served as your Referee-in-Chief, a role that has allowed me to combine my passion for the game with a commitment to elevating the standards of officiating in Dane County.
Beyond our local association, I serve as an Officiating Developer with USA Hockey and have been a seminar instructor with WHOA for the last 10 years. I believe that the strength of DCHOA lies in the continuous growth of our members. To that end, during my tenure as RIC, we have successfully launched several key initiatives aimed at supporting our officials, including:
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Comprehensive Education: Implementing structured on-ice sessions for new officials, restarting our black-jacket mentoring program and off-ice coaching for all levels.
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Modernized Feedback: Launching the new DCHOA Education Website to provide officials with the digital tools and direct feedback they need to excel.
I am running for re-election to continue building this culture of mentorship and continued education. My goal is to ensure that every official—from those working their first game to our seasoned veterans—has the resources, training, and support necessary to succeed and enjoy their time on the ice. I appreciate your support in continuing this important work.
Dave Ferwerda
Hi- I’m Dave Ferwerda, and I’m running for reelection on the DCHOA Board of Directors.
Adam Johnsen
This recent season marked my 27th as an official, all of which have been as a member of DCHOA. In addition to my own officiating schedule, I have participated as an off-ice coach and an on-ice black-jacket mentor. For the past five years, I have had the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors, including four years as Secretary.
During my tenure as Secretary, I have led efforts to update our bylaws, rules, and policies to better reflect our current processes and adapt to an ever-changing world and new generations of officials. I have also partnered with fellow Board members to improve the organization and structure of our committees, design and launch the DCHOA Education Website, and develop policy in support of our growing education program.
I am seeking re-election to continue the work I have been a part of over the past five years. I am extremely proud of the direction our organization is heading and the educational programs we have built together. I look forward to the opportunity to ensure we are delivering top-notch educational content and mentorship to our newest officials, while expanding our program to serve our entire membership.
Chase Kaltved
I have been a hockey official for 14 years, starting in Minnesota, and have been a member of DCHOA since moving to Dane County in 2020, serving on the board for the last two years. I am running for re-election to continue the focus on education and training that the board has implemented over recent years. As an organization, we have made significant progress in training and mentoring officials at all levels, and I would like to continue building on that momentum to ensure the continued success of DCHOA and our officials going forward.
Scott Wildman
Jason Zurawik
I began playing hockey at six years old and continued through college, followed by 15 years of coaching at the youth and high school levels. I am now completing my ninth year as an official, having worked games from youth through college.
Over the past 20 years as a school administrator, I have developed strong leadership, organizational, and mentorship skills that I believe can benefit our association. For the past two to three years, I have been actively involved in mentoring and developing 1st and 2nd year officials through the Education and Mentorship Committees. I am passionate about strengthening support for new officials while continuing to invest in the growth of our veteran members. If selected, I would be honored to help expand the capacity of DCHOA and serve our membership with leadership and vision.