SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2026) - Cal North is excited to announce seven speakers for the upcoming 2026 Cal North Annual General Meeting presented by GotSport.
This will be Cal North's second in-person Annual General Meeting since COVID-19 and we are eager to continue providing valuable resources to our membership, making these meetings both productive and effective for everyone in attendance. Get to know the speakers that will present at the upcoming Annual General Meeting.
Luis Robles - MLS NEXT
Luis Robles is a former professional goalkeeper who played in Germany, MLS and capped with the USMNT. He currently serves as the Technical Director for MLS NEXT, a position he assumed in May 2024. He leads technical and sporting strategy for MLS NEXT, supporting player development initiatives, Academy Directors, and the launch of MLS GO. Robles had a 14-year playing career that was mostly spent at the New York Red Bulls. Robles will be co-presenting MLS NEXT along with Jeremy Williams in three breakout room sessions.
Debra Carlton - Assembly Bills & AED/CPR Laws
Debra Carlton is the President of Elk Grove Soccer. She also serves on the board of Street Soccer USA, an organization that fights poverty and strengthens communities through soccer. In her professional life, Carlton is the California Apartment Association's Executive Vice President of State Public Affairs & Compliance with principle responsibility for planning and implementing strategy for all legislative, regulatory, and compliance issues of interest to the organization. She serves as the Association’s Chief Legislative Representative and is a registered lobbyist. She holds a BA degree in Political Science from UC Davis and a Masters in Public Administration from Golden Gate University, San Francisco. Carlton will be speaking during the AGM.
Dan Russell - U.S. Soccer
Dan Russell is a senior leader in soccer development and education, currently serving as Senior Director of Soccer Growth. Since joining U.S. Soccer in July 2013, he has led and supported multiple core departments, including Coaching Education, Referees, Club Development, Sport Development Technology, and the Development Academy. Dan plays a central role in shaping and advancing U.S. Soccer’s Pathway Strategy, driving strategic alignment across the Federation and its Member Associations. His work focuses on strengthening participation, enhancing the player and participant experience, modernizing systems and infrastructure, and reducing administrative complexity across the ecosystem. Russell will be speaking during the AGM.
William Cameron - GotSport
William Cameron is the Sr. Director of Product Management at GotSport, where he has spent the past 16 years in a variety of roles across the organization. His experience spans every level of the game, from being a parent of two young players, to supporting club administrators, registrars, league directors, and governing bodies nationwide. William is passionate about learning from the Cal North membership and using that insight to help GotSport build tools that make the sport more efficient for everyone. William and the GotSport team will have three breakout sessions covering various topics including business updates, club management & registration best practices and league software scheduling, among others.
Matthew Buckman - California North Referee Administration
Matthew Buckman currently serves as the Director of Referee Development for California North Referee
Administration, where he is responsible for overseeing all referee development, instruction and assessment
programs. For U.S. Soccer he serves as a National Referee Coach and a National Assignor, and also serves
as an assessor for the Professional Referee Organization. Outside of soccer, Matthew works as a non-profit arts administrator in the San Francisco Bay Area. Buckman along with CNRA will have three breakout room sessions covering various topics within the referee community.
Jeremy Williams - U.S. Soccer & Cal North Coaching Education
Jeremy Williams currently serves as Cal North Technical Director of Coaching Education. Williams brings extensive experience in youth soccer and is well known in the Northern California soccer community. Originally from Idaho, he played at North Idaho College before moving to Portland, Oregon, where he began his coaching career. He has coached and managed programs at the New York Red Bulls and Sacramento Republic FC. Williams holds a USSF A-Youth License, Instructor Level 2 certification, and National Youth License, along with the United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma and Director of Coaching Diploma. He is also a U.S. Soccer licensed educator for the Grassroots, D, C, and B licenses and holds a Master’s in Education specializing in Curriculum Design & Assessment. Williams will be presenting U.S. Soccer Coaching Education pathway along with Luis Robles in three breakout room sessions.
Chris Hardin - Player's Health
Chris Hardin, based in Littleton, CO, US, is currently a VP of Enterprise Sales at Players Health. Chris Hardin brings experience from previous roles at Insurance Office of America and ISU Insurance Services of Colorado, Inc. Chris Hardin played soccer at Clemson University from 1994 - 1997 and holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Studies/Hydrology @ University of Colorado Boulder, graduated in 2000. With a robust skill set that includes Customer Service, Lead Generation, Marketing, Direct Marketing, Social Media and more. Hardin will be speaking during the AGM.
To RSVP for the AGM, click here.
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