Joel Votaw grew up playing soccer until age 12 in Southern California, when he switched to swimming and water polo, excelling through college. He was an AYSO referee for exactly one month, being so unprepared and overwhelmed that he stepped away. Flash forward nearly a full lifetime: His children began playing soccer competitively and eventually became officials to better learn the game and earn some money. To support the sport he loved and spend time with his kids, Joel joined them as a referee and discovered a joy in officiating he never knew existed. He made his share of mistakes but persisted, working hard to become a Regional Referee in 2017. Joel has enjoyed serving the soccer community and its referees for the past decade, including as State Youth Referee Administrator. In late 2025, he was appointed State Referee Administrator, and he looks forward to leading the program in this formal capacity. Joel and his family have lived in Arizona since 2005. They have one younger daughter still playing competitively in Arizona and another son who plays with his college team.