NEW YORK - CONCACAF Director of Competitions Jill Fracisco was promoted Friday to deputy general secretary of the confederation overseeing referee administration, travel, accommodations, meetings and congresses, facilities and protocol.

Based in the confederation's New York headquarters, she joins Ted Howard and Italo Zanzi in the senior executive role as deputy general secretary.

Fracisco has an accomplished history with CONCACAF and extensive experience in international football.

She was the first woman to serve as a team liaison at the FIFA World Cup when she worked with Mexico in 1994. She joined CONCACAF later that year and managed the confederation's competitions.

As Director of Competitions she oversaw operations for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, women's and youth championships. She has also served as a assistant general coordinator for the FIFA World Cup in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010, and as a general coordinator for several FIFA women's and youth World Cups. Prior to joining CONCACAF, Fracisco worked with various professional sports teams in the San Francisco area.

"Jill has played a critical role in the growth of the confederation," CONCACAF President Jack Warner said. "She is very deserving of this promotion and will no doubt continue to excel in her new role."

Fracisco's appointment coincides with CONCACAF's expansion of its referee program and the growth of its institutional events.

"Jill's experience and skills make her uniquely qualified to further develop our referee program and lead the expansion of our events," CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said. "Her promotion is a very fitting recognition of her accomplishments."