NIAA sets timeline for search for new executive director, short-term interim

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association had set an initial timeline for the search for its new executive director.

At a special Board of Control meeting on Wednesday, the NIAA set a timeline to announce a nationwide search for the position on Monday with the goal to have a new executive director to start on Nov. 2.

Current executive director Timothy Jackson announced on July 1 his resignation from the position effective on Aug. 1.

A process to find an interim executive director is underway. The NIAA posted an announcement Wednesday, opening the application process for an interim executive director with the plan to choose an interim during the week of July 27 to start on Aug. 3 when Jackson leaves.

In hopes to broaden its pool of candidates, the NIAA will have a four-week period for applicants to apply for the position. When Jackson was chosen for the position during the spring of 2023, the NIAA only received two applicants during a two-week window.

The association also made modifications to requirements for the position. No longer will a master’s degree or specific athletic administration certifications be required. Instead a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and at least seven years of experience working in a high school sports state association or in education administrations, or similar fields, will be required.

NIAA legal council Neil Rombardo and Douglas Owen, of the Northern Nevada soccer officials association, are working to lead the search process.

The Board of Control appointed board members Colin McNaught (principal of Cimarron-Memorial High), Gregg Malkovich and Dennis Holmes to serve on a sub-committee of the board to examine candidates.

The NIAA’s timeline is set to have interviews for the final candidates at its fall Board of Control meetings on Sept. 22 and 23, where the board will deliberate and selected the new executive director.

The Nov. 2 start date for the new executive director is approximate, and the new person could start earlier or later, depending on negotiations and the process for finalization of the terms for the contract.

The full announcement of information for the interim position and full-time executive director position (which will be posted on Monday) are available on the NIAA’s website.