Blue Devils appoint Jim Verrett as new CEO
CONCORD, CA (Apr. 24, 2022) — Blue Devils Performing Arts today announced that Jim Verrett will be joining the organization as chief executive officer in early May replacing Shaun Gallant, who has been with BDPA since 2018 and is stepping down from the CEO role to explore opportunities outside of the organization.
“We conducted an extensive search for an individual with the experience and skill set we believe essential to build upon the foundation that the leadership team has established, and to shepherd the organization to new heights,” says Donna Batchelor, BDPA Board of Directors president. “Ultimately, we found this individual right in our backyard.”
Verrett, who resides in Vallejo with his wife and their wire-haired mixed terrier, has been a member of the Blue Devils Board of Directors in an advisory or director capacity since 2018, involved in numerous initiatives. Most recently, he spearheaded the USBands rebranding project in partnership with USBands executive director Sean King.
Verrett brings over 30 year’s experience helping tier-one brands reach their full potential and leading teams to growth and success. The Blue Devils say his “broad national and global experience encompasses consumer package goods marketing, traditional and digital advertising, consumer promotion, experiential marketing, sponsorship/partnership marketing and more.”
80s-era drum corps experience
A former member of the LSU “Golden Band from Tigerland” and the Phantom Regiment (two-time Drum Corps International World Champions from Illinois), Verrett points to his 80s-era drum corps experience as seminal. “I credit much of the success I’ve found professionally and personally to the life skills and work ethic developed as a member of a storied drum corps attempting to create magic,” he says. “I returned from that experience a changed person—full of drive, confidence and eagerness to do great work; characteristics that served me exceedingly well in my career and still hold true today.”
Verrett joins BDPA at an exciting time as the organization celebrates its 65th Anniversary this year. The Blue Devils are poised to make a return to the field this summer after two years away due to the pandemic. Long-time senior executive advisor David Gibbs is teaming up with current staff and administration to ensure a smooth transition from Gallant, who is currently finishing up his tenure with the Blue Devils.
Gibbs stepped away from his position as executive director in February 2016 after a quarter century in charge of the most accomplished drum corps in the world. Verrett will be the third person in charge of the Blue Devils following Gibbs in past six years. The DCI Hall of Fame member has remained active with the Blue Devils and will be taking a key role during the CEO transition.
Summer tour
The Blue Devils won their 19th DCI World Championship to culminate a tightly contested 2019 season in Indianapolis. The pandemic stopped competitions the past two summers. The A Corps begins its 2022 summer tour in June with their first competition in the Rose Bowl June 25.
The season concludes for both the A and B Corps in Indianapolis on Aug. 13 with the DCI finals where the Blue Devils hope to earn their 20th world championship.
The young Blue Devils C Corps will once again be part of a Memorial Day Tribute at Bay Area KidFest on Monday, May 30, at noon.
Blue Devils co-founder Ann Odello died Jan. 30 as the organization she and her husband Tony founded in the living room of their Concord home in 1957 began its 65th year. Her son Rick Odello, another DCI Hall of Fame member, retired from the Blue Devils this year.
What started as a small drum corps in Concord has grown to encompass many successful programs and extend its reach throughout the country and across the globe. The Blue Devils hope that with Verrett’s guidance and leadership, BDPA will “continue building on that momentum and take a step into the future.”
Challenges
“What the BDPA team has accomplished these past few years is astounding—particularly considering the challenges presented by the global pandemic and uncertainty it brought to all aspects of life,” says Verrett. “I’m thrilled for the opportunity to build on the positive momentum present across the organization and can’t wait to begin working with this team in pursuit of reaching our full potential.”
BD Performing Arts is a non-profit organization based in Concord that provides domestic and international music education and performance opportunities for youth and young adults. BDPA’s objective is to develop personal character through challenging physical, emotional, mental and social activities while promoting the values of dedication, hard work and commitment to a team effort.
Over 450 young people participate in BDPA programs each year and over 8,000 young people in 2,000 families have been served by the organization since 1957. BDPA’s extensive network of programs includes Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, Blue Devils B, Blue Devils C, RCC Indoor Percussion, Diablo Wind Symphony, Blue Devils Special Needs Guard, USBands, Western Band Association (WBA), and BDEntertainment.
Learn more about BD Performing Arts at bluedevils.org.