NEW YORK– Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson will step down as NBA Senior Vice President and Head of Referee Operations on October 15, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, NBA President, League Operations.  Johnson has made a personal decision to return home to Colorado.

“We are thankful for Michelle’s overall leadership, hard work and contributions related to all facets of our officiating program,” said Spruell.  “We wish her the best as she returns home to Colorado on a full-time basis.”

Hired in October 2017, Johnson built on and expanded the NBA’s strategic initiatives designed to support and maximize officiating performance and perception.  She also broadened the referee pipeline for new hires and helped further fortify the league’s performance evaluation system for game officials.

Spruell, along with Monty McCutchen, NBA Vice President of Referee Development and Training, will continue to lead NBA Referee Operations in the interim.