USA Umpires & Umpire Managers Appointed to International Panel

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey is delighted to announce that four U.S. representatives—two umpires and two umpire managers—have been appointed to the international panel.

The two umpires are Erika Barbera and Katelyn Makovec, while the two umpire managers are Saleem Aaron and Suzi Sutton. USA Field Hockey would also like to recognize USA Field Hockey umpire member Marisa Miro, a representative of Puerto Rico, received her international badge.

“On behalf of USA Field Hockey, I would like to extend our sincere congratulations to these outstanding umpires and umpire managers on their promotion to the FIH International Panels,” said Sean Rapaport, USA Field Hockey’s Director of Officials. “This achievement is a direct reflection of their dedication, professionalism, and countless hours of hard work, both on and off the field. We are incredibly proud of their commitment to excellence and to the continued growth of officiating in the United States. We wish them the very best of luck and continued success as they begin this exciting next chapter on the international stage.”

After logging her first international tournament at the Pan American Challenge in September 2024 in Bermuda, Barbera has since blown her whistle at the 2025 Junior Pan American Challenge in Bridgetown, Barbados, and 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay. She has been involved in a multitude of USA Field Hockey and NCAA events over the past year. In January, Barbera was the sole USA representative at the 3 Nations Tournament in Dunedin, New Zealand.

USA Field Hockey’s 2025 National Umpire Award Winner Makovec participated in her first international tournament at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay. Previously, she has officiated two U.S. Women’s National Team series in Charlotte, N.C. (2023, 2025) and is a veteran of both USA Field Hockey events and college circuit. She has been appointed to three consecutive NCAA Division I Championship umpire teams.

Miro, a USA official who represents Puerto Rico on the international stage, has officiated at the 2024 Pan American Challenge, 2025 Junior Pan American Challenge, 2025 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games Qualifiers, and 2025 Junior Pan American Games. She in a familiar face in the NCAA realm and was appointed to the Division II Championship squad last season.

After umpiring several international events, including the 2014 CAC Games and 2015 Pan American Games, Aaron went on to take the role of umpire manager. In summer 2025, he was appointed as an umpire manager at the test series between the USWNT and Ireland in Charlotte, N.C. and the 2025 Junior Pan American Games.

After a renowned international umpiring career, Sutton now represents USA as an umpire manager. The USA Field Hockey 2018 National Umpire of the Year officiated more than 140 international matches all over the world, including the 2017 FIH Hockey World League Semifinals in South Africa, 2021-22 FIH Hockey Pro League, and numerous domestic test series. She was an umpire manager at 2023 and 2025 test series between USA and New Zealand in Charlotte, N.C., and the 2025 Junior Pan American Challenge.