INDIANAPOLIS — As it begins a new year of work and oversight on behalf of the participating corps, the Drum Corps International Board of Directors elected new leadership at its reorganization meeting held on Sunday, January 8.
Stepping into the role of board chair is Jonathan Powell.
An alum of the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Powell is an executive in the food and beverage industry, currently serving as a regional director of plant operations for Premium Waters, Inc. He studied chemical engineering at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, is a Six Sigma Green Belt and Change Management Leader, and an operational efficiency expert.
Powell is the first person of color and one of the youngest individuals to serve as DCI board chair.
“Our organization has created tremendous opportunities to broaden our reach and engage a greater number of people in everything we do,” Powell said. “I look forward to working with the board, leadership team and representatives from the organizations which comprise the DCI collective to maximize these opportunities in the fulfillment of our mission.”
Powell takes over from the Boston Crusaders’ Chris Holland who helped lead Drum Corps International through the COVID-19 pandemic. Holland now steps into the role of vice chair while unaffiliated director Jim Doyle serves as treasurer and Carolina Crown’s Don Rawlins fills the role of secretary.
“I want to personally thank the service of Chris Holland over the past two years as board chair,” said Chris Komnick, chair of the DCI membership. “Chris has been an incredible leader for the membership and has done important work to prepare Drum Corps International for a successful future.”
Last week as part of the annual DCI winter business meetings in Indianapolis, Drum Corps International’s voting membership filled open seats on the board of directors.