R.J. Van Almen is a 1994 graduate of Canton McKinley High School.  After attending The Ohio State University, he returned to Stark County to graduate from Mount Union College in the Fall of 1998.

R.J. was an 11-time qualifier to the O.H.S.A.A. State Championships during his high school athletic career as a swimmer and was a 4-Year First Team All-County, 3-Year All-Ohioan and 2-Year Conference Swimmer of the Year.  He also competed in 3-State Championships in Water Polo, earning All-Ohio honors and breaking the state record in goals his junior year with 84.  R.J. competed for the McKinley baseball team earning a spot in the Hank Miller All-Star Series. In College, he was 4-Time Conference Champion and 12-Time All-Conference Team Member.

After college graduation, R.J. spent his career as an entrepreneur, owning several drive throughs, bars, a restaurant, a night club, concession and property management businesses. He also has consulted through R.V.A. Group for the past 25 years. 

R.J. is the former President of the East Ohio Swim Officials Association, East Ohio Track Officials Association, The Greater Canton Aquatics Association, The Amateur Sports Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club.  He currently serves as the Treasurer for the National High School Football Hall of Fame, G.C.A.S.H.O.F., DIVAS and Vice Chairman of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Transportation Committee.  In 2025, he chaired Canton McKinley’s first Hall of Distinguished Alumni Board.

In 2014 R.J. was inducted to the Stark County Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame.  In 2015 he was named National Federation of High Schools Official of the Year.  In 2016 was recognized by the Greater Canton Fast-Pitch Association.  In 2017, he was named President of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club and awarded their Lifetime Member Award in 2023.  In 2023 he was recognized by the National High School Football Hall of Fame with its Marion Motley Community Leadership Award. 

In 2016 R.J. was hired by The Ohio High School Athletic Association to serve as its Director of Development and State Rules Interpreter.  Roles he still fulfills to this day.  

R.J.'s true-passion is officiating Swimming and Diving and Track and Field.  He has had the opportunity to officiate 16 Division I and 16 Division II State Championships, serving as the Meet Referee since 2017.  He has served as an official 4-times at the State Track Championships. R.J. has officiated 58 NCAA National Championships at the DI, DII and DIII level and 2 NAIA National Championships, holding the distinction of the only official to ever serve all 3 divisions National Championships in the same year with three.    He served on the Meet Committee for the 2021 and 2024 Olympic Swimming Trials and the Pan American Games in 2024.  

R.J. lives in Canton with his children, Romy (22), Rowan (15), Roman (12) and Abby Geiselman.  Rowan is a student at Early College and Roman is in his final year at The Arts Academy.