As a 35-year member of the Western Connecticut Football Officials Association, Brian Sullivan exemplified the professionalism and attention to detail to which all those who wear the stripes aspire. The Middlebury resident worked his way up the ranks both on and off the field, not only becoming a top-notch varsity official, but working toward making his association the best it could be. He has been a member of the group's executive board since 2000, but prior to that was a longtime member of the Better Officiating Committee, beginning in 1990. He was moved to the Assigning Committee in 2008, and finally elected Assigning Commission for the group in 2012, a position he continues to hold. Beginning his career in 1979, he worked up the ranks from the sandlots of youth football to the varsity level, working many key NVL and top prep school contests. During his career he has worked 10 semi-final CIAC playoff contests, as well as 10 finals. He is a recipient of the WCFOA 20-year Service Award (1999), the Ed Mariano Distinguished Service Award (2003), and the Vincent J. Reilly Distinguished Service Award (2006). He has served as a member of the Connecticut Football Officials Association Executive Board since 2003. A career educator, Sullivan moved from the classroom to the position of a middle school principal before his retirement after 35 years. Sports has always been part of the equation, and he was an assistant baseball coach at Naugatuck High School from 1975-85, and the basketball coach at Hillside Middle School from 1975-93. Married to his wife, Gail, also a 33-year educator, the couple has two children, Courtney and Christopher and three grandchildren.