From a Bluecoats' press release: Taking the next step in the organization's evolution, the Bluecoats organization is proud to announce the appointments of David Glasgow as executive director and Bill Hamilton as program director. Glasgow will serve as the first full-time director in the Bluecoats' 31-year history. He is a former Bluecoat drum major and Bluecoat of the Year, and more recently served the corps as tour coordinator and assistant director. In 2003, he was responsible for most day-to-day corps operations and initiated projects such as the "Club Blue" booster club and the development of the corps' new Web site. Glasgow is a graduate of Michigan State University and brings both business and drum corps experience to the new position. "It is an incredible honor to be given the opportunity to take the reins and lead the Bluecoats into a new era," said Glasgow. "I was able to learn from the best in Bill Hamilton, Larry Hershman and Ted Swaldo. It is now my goal to continue to make improvements to our organization, and infuse new ideas that will allow us to enhance the already incredible Bluecoats experience." Business manager Ted Swaldo said, "We are proud of the fact that we have put in place a succession plan that allows the corps to retain stable, experienced leadership for many years to come." Swaldo directed the Bluecoats from 1984 until 1992, and served two terms as chairman of the board of Drum Corps International. Glasgow's assumption of the full-time director position brings with it a new role for former director Bill Hamilton. After serving as director from 1993 through the 2003 season, and playing an instrumental role in the organization's success since its founding in 1972, Hamilton is a perfect fit for the position of program director. "Bill brings a wealth of experience and drum corps knowledge to his new position. He has been an extremely important part of the corps' success over the years, and will continue to play a vital role within the organization," Glasgow said. Hamilton will continue to serve as the organization's representative to the DCI board of directors, including his position on the board's executive committee. Hamilton steps in for long-time program director Larry Hershman. Due to increasing responsibilities in his career outside of drum corps, Hershman will return to the position he held prior to the 2000 season -- permanent advisor to both staff and management. "Obviously, we have been doing something right in the area of programming that has made the corps very successful and popular," Hamilton said. "With the fine structural framework and organization Larry has instilled in the corps over the last four years, I think we can successfully continue on this course, especially when he's just a phone call away,"    Larry Hershman is very optimistic about this next step in the evolution of the Bluecoats. He said, "The organization has never been in a better position to move forward. All the critical elements for success including recruiting, staffing and finances are in place. Bill and Dave understand the Bluecoats and understand this activity, and as a team they have both the time and talent to make good things happen!" For more information about the Bluecoats, please visit the corps' Web site.