A Legacy of Leadership
CAPE Announces Retirement of Two Key Figures; Welcomes New Board Officers
At their August 11, 2023 board meeting, Cavaliers Arts, Performance & Education, Inc. (CAPE) revealed that two pivotal members will retire following the 2024 season: Dr. Michael Vaughn, Director of The Cavaliers; and Monte Mast, Executive Director of CAPE. Both will remain in their roles throughout the 2024 drum corps season, ensuring a seamless transition for their successors. CAPE will begin collecting applications for the roles of Cavaliers Corps Director and CAPE Executive Director this fall.
Both Mast and Vaughn, who took on their roles in 2019, possess robust backgrounds in pageantry and education. Mast served as a band director at various schools, and was the Director of Fine Arts for Klein Independent School District for 12 years. He marched with Bluecoats and Phantom Regiment drum corps, and served as a judge in the Drum Corps International circuit for almost 20 years. Dr. Vaughn has worked in higher education in the Chicago area for over 20 years, and involved himself in the marching arts as a performer, teacher, judge, and guard program director. He started working with The Cavaliers in 2009, and over the years served as the Manager of Promotions, Tour Director, Personnel Director, and now Corps Director.
“In my time with the organization, I have made many lifelong friendships among the board, staff, members, and alumni, but none more important than Michael Vaughn” commented Mast. Both Mast and Vaughn note that their partnership has developed based on mutual respect, similar ideologies, and a shared penchant for sarcasm. Vaughn adds “I have been exceptionally fortunate to work with Monte Mast, and I’ve enjoyed the unfailing support of Chris Hartowicz, Dale Young, and the entire Board of Directors. Working together, I believe we have made tremendous strides in moving the Green Machine forward.”
Board President Chris Hartowicz notes “We will be hard pressed to find successors who will show the dedication and love for the organization and the membership that these two gentlemen have displayed- I could not have asked for better partners.” Mast and Vaughn each also note that their involvement with CAPE will continue in some capacity beyond their retirement.
Information regarding CAPE’s open roles will be publicly posted soon. Any questions may be directed to employment@cavaliers.org.
Chris Hartowicz at The Cavaliers 75th Anniversary Gala in July 2023
Additionally at CAPE’s August board meeting, new board officers were voted in and welcomed. In 2021 when Chris Hartowicz was re-elected to a fourth term as Board President, he announced it would be his final. His involvement with The Cavaliers has surpassed 50 years: he began as a member of the color guard in 1969. He went on to become Color Guard Sergeant, Cavalier of the Year, instructional staff, President of the Cavalier Alumni Association, Director of Cavaliers Alumni Corps (2008), and Board Member. He will remain an active board member beyond the conclusion of his presidential term.
Adolph DeGrauwe, Chairman
Starting October 1, 2023, we welcome Dale Young to the position of Board President. Young has been the Vice President of the Board since 2016, and has been a board member since 2012. He has been a strategy and technology consultant for over 35 years, and has held senior leadership positions with IBM, Capgemini, Ernst & Young, Avande, and Genpact. Young is an alumni of The Cavaliers, and has been involved in the 2008 alumni corps, the alumni association, and has chaired the Governance, Ethics & Compliance, Strategic Planning, and 75th Anniversary committees. ”Working as Chris’s partner for the past 8 years has been a pleasure” states Young. “I look forward to working with him and the rest of the board so that we may continue building on Don Warren’s legacy for at least another 75 years.”
Serving as Board Vice President is Barbara Bolender, Esq., a board member since 2019 and a Legal & HR consulting professional and business owner. Thor Schumacher, an organizational design and management consultant, steps in as Board Secretary after 6 years serving on the board. And Paul Rigby returns as Board Treasurer, bringing a background in financial management, having been a Managing Director at JPMorgan. Adolph DeGrauwe remains CAPE Board Chairman. DeGrauwe is a retired building maintenance director, and his family is the first three-generation Cavalier family, with himself, his sons, and his grandson all having marched in the corps.
“In true Cavalier style, I have endeavored to leave the place better than I found it” says Hartowicz. “I'm proud of the achievements and stability of the CAPE organization and Board of Directors during my tenure as president. I rest assured knowing that CAPE is in great hands!”