Board Members



President – Norb Schmalfeld
President@wnyua.org
Norb was elected to the position of President of Western New York Umpire Association in 2020. He has been a working member of WNYUA for Over 35 years and having served on the Board of Directors since 2004. He has over 50 years of baseball & softball umpiring experience. In addition, he also served as a Hockey Official for 44 years having retired from that sport in 2017. In addition to his role on the Board, he has been an instructor for the Association along with a mentor for newer umpires.
Vice President – Russ Medina
VP@wnyua.org
Russ has been umpiring softball at the high school and recreational level since 1990. Russ has been a NCAA Softball Umpire since 2012, and currently umpire’s at the D-l, D-ll and D-lll levels. Russ also serves as a College Evaluator. Russ is the Softball Rules Interpreter and trainer and mentor for Western New York Umpire Association.
Treasurer – Chris Kowalski
WNYUA
PO Box 583
Orchard Park NY 14127
Treasurer@wnyua.org


Recording Secretary – Brady DeVore
Secretary@wnyua.org
Sergeant-At-Arms – Ed Michalek
EMichalek@wnyua.org

Justin Barleben
Director – Justin Barleben
Interpreter-baseball@wnyua.org
Justin has been umpiring baseball at the high school and recreational levels since 2013 and at the junior college, NCAA D-III, and summer collegiate levels since 2018. He moved up through the ranks quickly and at a young age thanks to the teaching and support provided by many of the members of WNYUA.

Justin plans to use the skills he has learned as a high school teacher for Buffalo Public Schools and as an umpire to help both new candidates and veteran members of our organization become better, more knowledgable, and more consistent officials.
Director – Gary KlumppGary is a former ECC & UB Baseball Player. Signed by the Chicago Cubs, he played 4 years of minor/independent league ball. He is active in the local Baseball Community as an instructor at ACES. He has also done youth umpire clinics in Hamburg Junior baseball/softball.

Elected to the board in 2021. A 12 year member who highlights include Section VI quarter finals and semi finals games. Also worked final in the New Era Baseball tournament final in 2015.


Director – Tom Naeger
Tom_Naeger@wnyua.org
Tom started umpiring in 1995.  In 2000 he joined WNYUA working in High School and all of our great leagues.  Highlights include City HS All-Star Game, WNY Legion All Star Game, and called a no hitter in a 2022 Sectional Game.

In 2019 he started Collegiate Baseball as a regular in the PGCBL and was invited to spend a week in the FCBL in 2020. Tom has worked multiple non-conference D-I games in the A10, and conference games in D-II for the North East 10 & East Coast Conference. He was also selected to the 2021 PGCBL Championship Crew.

He has been an instructor and is in charge of technology for the Association.


Director – Mike Wozniak







Director – Rick Antonio


Rick is a graduate of Wendlestedt pro baseball umpire school and has worked about 50 games in MiLB. He has been working college and high school ball since 2002 when he joined WNYUA.

He has been working D1 conference games since 2005 and has work the top Collegiate Summer League at Cape Cod since 2008.

Rick had the plate for 2019 Cape Cod All Star Game and has worked several playoff games in Cape Cod, NECBL, NYCBL, and PGCBL. He also has been a mainstay in the MUNY AAA League since 2002, working the NABF National Tournament Finals in 2012.


Director – Brady DeVore


Brady has been umpiring baseball and softball since 2010. He was elected to the board as a director in 2021. In addition to umpiring, Brady is a strong supporter of Special Olympics WNY and has organized umpires for their softball events.


Director – Joel N. Marrs Jr.
Joel was elected to the WNYUA board in 2022 and has been a member since 1984
Director – Joe Burngasser