For many of its early years, the CFOA had Matt Johnson as its secretary-treasurer. Instrumental in the formation of what is called "The State Board," Johnson dedicated many hours toward making it the strong association of member chapters it is. He served as a president of the association in 1967. He began his career as a member of the Vincent J. Reilly - New Haven Football Officials Association as a two-year member. He was a founder of the Fairfield County Football Officials Association, taking several leadership roles over the next 29 years. He was the board's secretary-treasurer for 20 of those years. When an assigning commissioner was contemplated, Johnson took the job for two years. A top-ranked high school official, he was also a well-respected member of the Eastern Association of Intercollegiate Football Officials' Metro (NY) Chapter until his retirement. He is counted among the first set of officials assigned to the CIAC championship games when they were begun in 1976, an Ansonia-Derby clash. He worked several others on the clock after he left active officiating.