Lapsed Fan's Guide to DCI 2024
Part Two!
This is the second part of this year’s Lapsed Fan’s Guide to DCI! In Part One, we discussed corps we expect to see rising in the standings and Wednesday’s Tour Premiere in Rockford, MI. Quite a few of the corps we’ll be seeing this week had some big-name hires this offseason, so let’s take a moment to talk about just a few of those changes!
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
So before we discuss what’s happening with the individual corps, we must address the elephant in the room. After 28 years as Executive Director/CEO of DCI, Dan Acheson stepped down at the end of 2023. Nate Boudreaux, former head of US Water Ski & Wake Sports, assumed the Executive Directorship on November 1st. This is a monumental shift for an organization that has primarily had its executive leadership come from within the activity since its founding in 1972, with Boudreaux serving as the fourth full-time director in DCI history.
Over the past three decades, Acheson had his hand on the tiller through multiple turning points for the activity, including but not limited to financial troubles in the early 2000s, COVID-19, and the G7 Proposal. While some expressed excitement for the change in leadership, many praised Acheson’s efforts at sustaining DCI through the difficulties it faced through the years.
Boudreaux brings an outsider’s perspective, with experience working closely with the US Olympic Committee, driving corporate partnerships for the American College of Sports Medicine, and in the football world, spending time both with USA Football and the Cleveland Browns. His experience lines up well with areas DCI has received criticism for over the past few years, and there have already been large corporate partners announced in his short time as director, including negotiating what looked to be an extraordinary partnership with Walmart, bringing their telehealth services to DCI for the coming year’s tour. However, that was undercut just weeks later with the announcement that Walmart Health would cease operations. Even so, this marks a significant departure from the familiar faces in the pageantry arts world that we’re accustomed to and may provide some insight as to the big names that DCI could target in the future.
The Green Machine
Among other notable administrative changes was the announcement that Monte Mast and Dr. Michael Vaughn, the Cavaliers' Executive and Corps Director, respectively, would retire following the conclusion of the coming season. Robert Baker-Hargrove, a Cavaliers alumnus and co-CEO of a consulting firm based in Orlando, was appointed to the newly established role of CEO of CAPE, with Daniel Belcher, formerly of the Blue Knights, getting the nod as the next Corps Director.
Additionally, the corps staff saw a few notable changes, with Adam Sage returning to the Cavaliers staff as Artistic Director. Additionally, Cheryl Lee is stepping in as Brass Caption Head and Mason Daffinee is taking on the role of Drill Designer.
In My Mind, I’m Gone to Carolina
While the crew from Fort Mill saw few changes, the changes that did happen were significant. On the administrative side, Jim Williams departed from his role as CEO just months after moving into that position, following quite a few years on the Board of Directors. Joe Roach is taking over as Executive Director after just one season as Crown’s corps director, though he was Music City’s executive director before coming to Carolina.
Reid Atkinson is Crown's new Program Coordinator following Rick Subel's offseason departure. Michael Martin was elevated to Brass Arranger alongside long-time arranger Michael Klesch. Additionally, John Mackey will be doing some writing for one of the activity’s top hornlines, as he was commissioned to write original music for the show.
Lone Stars
Both World Class corps based in Texas made changes on the design front this year, with Tim Mikan stepping in as Drill Designer and Ray Ulibarri and Juan Arreguin now handling Percussion arrangement and design for the Crossmen. There has been a slew of changes for Genesis, most notably Anthony Cruddas taking over as Program Coordinator and Tim Leonelli, who will handle Brass Design/Music Supervisor/Brass Creative, among other changes.
Please check out our DCI Staff Change Tracker for all the arrivals, departures, and changes we’ve found. If you have something we don’t, please let us know at info@generaleffect.media!
Part Three is HERE. We discuss storylines leading out of the offseason and break down some big events and silly things you may have missed!
Matthew Carstensen is currently GEM’s Managing Editor. He has been involved in the Pageantry Arts for over a decade, as a performer at the highest level, an instructor, and a fan. You can find him on Twitter at @SatNightLites. He currently lives in Florida with his dog.