July 1 (Bloomberg) -- The National Basketball Association turned over the reins of its officiating program to a retired U.S. Army general.

Ronald L. Johnson, a retired two-star general, will be responsible for all aspects of the NBA's officiating program as its senior vice president of referee operations, a newly created position, the league said in a news release.

He will report to Joel Litvin, the NBA's president of league and basketball operations. Stu Jackson, the league's executive vice president of basketball operations, will remain responsible for all other basketball matters, formalizing the separation of the NBA's officiating and basketball activities.

Johnson, who was the second-highest ranking engineer in the Army, will oversee recruitment, training and development of officials, scheduling data management and analysis, as well as enforcement of the league's rules for its referees.

``As I leave the military and return to civilian life, I can't imagine a more interesting and challenging position,'' Johnson said in a statement. ``Although I don't have a basketball background, other than as a lifelong fan, I am confident that my experience as an Army commander and engineer has equipped me to bring leadership and innovation to the NBA's exceptional officiating program.''

The hiring of Johnson comes about a month after former NBA referee Tim Donaghy alleged past wrongdoing by other referees and the NBA.

Tim Donaghy

Donaghy, who pleaded guilty in August to fraud and conspiracy following a federal investigation into his betting on games, said officials, acting at the behest of the NBA, conspired to extend a 2002 playoff series. He also said during the NBA finals that the league asked referees not to call technical fouls on star players to avoid hurting ticket sales and television ratings.

Donaghy faces a maximum of 25 years in prison at his July 14 sentencing.

Johnson completed 32 years of military service as a combat engineer. As commanding general of the Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division, he was responsible for overseeing $18 billion of reconstruction in Iraq from 2003-04, the NBA said.

Johnson met with National Basketball Referees Association lead negotiator Lamell McMorris last week to discuss the reconfiguring of the NBA's officiating program and the challenges left behind by his predecessors.

``These challenges include poor vision, a lack of focus and direction, mixed messaging, a flawed evaluation system, a misguided reliance on statistical analysis to measure performance, blatant favoritism and a dispirited and demoralized staff,'' McMorris said in a statement. ``General Johnson has assured us that he is prepared to take on these and other pressing concerns.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Mason Levinson in New York at mlevinson@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: July 1, 2008 17:40 EDT