From a Carolina Crown press release:
Jim Coates is the new chief operating officer for Carolina Crown, effective May 17. Expanding on his role as Crown's program/faculty coordinator, Coates will now also work closely with executive director Kevin Smith to develop and manage the existing and future educational and funding programs/projects of the Carolina Crown.
"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to have Jim expanding his role with the Carolina Crown organization. He has been a great asset to the organization, and me personally, since coming on board as our program/faculty coordinator last season. His success thus far is an indication of what we expect from him as the driving force behind
enhancing our existing programs, and developing new program offerings that will secure our leadership in marching music pageantry in the Carolinas," said Smith. Before becoming part of the Carolina Crown family for the 2003 season, Coates' drum corps career included about a dozen seasons as a musician and guard member; a visual tech for the Crossmen, an adjudicator for Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International (WGI) and local associations; and most recently as the director of the Crossmen from 1994-1999. As the Crossmen director, Jim both maintained, and then helped rebuild through his personal dedication and business savvy, a Crossmen corps that many thought would not survive. He did this while at the same time being a leader in the DCI boardroom during a tumultuous period in the activity's history. During that time, Coates was also of great assistance to Carolina Crown in several key organizational areas including securing cost-effective bus transportation and bulk food purchasing. Carolina Crown president Bill Loelius noted, "Good fortune has always played a part in the success of Carolina Crown, and we are indeed fortunate that Jim became available for this expanded role at a time when our organization was ready both philosophically and financially to invest in its future. Jim's talents are perfectly matched with our long-term strategy for growing the organization. The skills and contacts that Jim brings to Carolina Crown in his new role will be a catalyst for taking the organization to new heights."
enhancing our existing programs, and developing new program offerings that will secure our leadership in marching music pageantry in the Carolinas," said Smith. Before becoming part of the Carolina Crown family for the 2003 season, Coates' drum corps career included about a dozen seasons as a musician and guard member; a visual tech for the Crossmen, an adjudicator for Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International (WGI) and local associations; and most recently as the director of the Crossmen from 1994-1999. As the Crossmen director, Jim both maintained, and then helped rebuild through his personal dedication and business savvy, a Crossmen corps that many thought would not survive. He did this while at the same time being a leader in the DCI boardroom during a tumultuous period in the activity's history. During that time, Coates was also of great assistance to Carolina Crown in several key organizational areas including securing cost-effective bus transportation and bulk food purchasing. Carolina Crown president Bill Loelius noted, "Good fortune has always played a part in the success of Carolina Crown, and we are indeed fortunate that Jim became available for this expanded role at a time when our organization was ready both philosophically and financially to invest in its future. Jim's talents are perfectly matched with our long-term strategy for growing the organization. The skills and contacts that Jim brings to Carolina Crown in his new role will be a catalyst for taking the organization to new heights."