MICHAEL OTTOES
Executive Director
Mike began his association with the Troopers in 1988 at age 17, marching with the Troopers for five seasons as a member of the horn line. During his time as a marching member, Mike received the Outstanding Member Award and the Director’s Award. He also served as Corps Commander during his age-out year in 1992. Mike was part of the Troopers' administration team from 1996 to 1998, and was given the Traute Gilbert Volunteer of the Year Award in 1997. He was appointed executive director of the Troopers in the fall of 2005. In 2015, Mike was elected to the Troopers Hall of Fame and received the Drum Corps International Volunteer of the Year Award. Mike currently serves as the Treasurer of the Wyoming All-State Marching Band Board of Directors.
Mike has a bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of Wyoming. He lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming with his wife Michelle, also a Troopers alum, and his two daughters. He is vice president and owner of Arrow Moving & Storage Co. Inc.; Arrow Moving & Storage of Colorado; Arrow Moving & Storage of Utah LLP; and Arrow Moving & Storage of San Antonio. Mike also is an owner of Arrow Properties LLC, 3960 Properties LLC, and Arrow Equipment LLC.
MICHAEL D. GOUGH
Corps Director
Michael was a member of the Troopers from 2000 through 2004 where he performed on soprano prior to being named Drum Major in 2003.
During the 2006/2007 season, Michael produced the award winning documentary film "America's Core" showcasing the passionate return of the Troopers following their inactive year.
He returned in 2009, producing the follow up film, "Hell Bent for Victory" which chronicled the corps' epic return to DCI finals.
From 2009 to 2016, Michael worked in the television and film industry, earning multiple Telly awards and a regional Emmy Award.
In 2016, Michael, along with his family, moved to Casper, WY to take on the role as the Troopers Marketing Director. While in this role, he helped coordinate events like the 60th anniversary reunion with the alumni association, manage the Rocky Mountain Rivalry fundraising campaigns, and build community relationships with organizations like VIBES.
In 2019, in addition to his marketing responsibilities at the Troopers, Michael co-founded CineCorps, a non profit youth organization focused on film production education in Boise, Idaho. There, he successfully led Hollywood professionals, local teachers, and youth of the community in the execution of industry workshops, and acting programs. Unfortunately, COVID-19 derailed the new organization eight months into its launch.
During the challenging year of 2020, Michael took on the technology efforts to completely digitize the entire Troopers operation, converting it into an online format, introducing new technologies to the organization, creating virtual performance opportunities, and establishing virtual platforms for our members and staff to continue the Troopers mission.
Michael lives in Boise, Idaho with his wife Elizabeth, and their two teenage daughters, Audrey and Livie. Together they have two dogs, two cats, and a rabbit.
Michael is currently the Interim Corps Director of the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps.
SUE MASTERSON
Development Director
Sue was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. She became a member of the Trooper Cadets in 1975 until she moved up to the A corps in the summer of 1976. She continued her membership with the Troopers Colorguard until 1983 where she finished her second year as Guard Commander. It was in the Troopers that she met her future husband and John Masterson whom she married in 1990 with the Troopers in attendance.
She continued with the corps as a member of the Colorguard staff from 1983-1985 and again from 1987-1991. This included time with the Troopers Winterguard as well.
Sue continued her involvement in Colorguard running camps for Spring High School in Spring, TX and American Fork High School in American Fork, UT.
She is a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a degree in Music Education with an emphasis in voice and went on to teach elementary music in Salem, OR until she returned to Casper becoming the choir director at Dean Morgan Junior High from 1989-1993.
In recent years she was the Development Director for 307 Dance Academy from 2013-2016 in Casper, WY. Along with her husband, they also founded Masterson’s Place, a home-away-from home for families of hospital patients. She is also the owner of Garden Creek Artisans, a jewelry business she founded.
Sue and John live in Casper, WY and have raised three children.
Sue returns to the Troopers organization for the first time in twenty seven years to serve as our Development Director.
HOLLIE JO CARR BURTON
Facilities Coordinator
Hollie Jo Carr Burton is a percussionist from Winfield, AL currently living in Casper, WY. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Instrumental Music from the University of North Alabama, with a focus in percussion. Hollie has taught the front ensemble and percussion sections for several local high schools in the North Alabama and Nashville, TN area.
During her time at the University of North Alabama she was a member of the Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Orchestra, World Percussion Ensemble, and the UNA Marching Band. She has had the opportunity to study with Dr. Tracy Wiggins, Lauren Teel, and Luke Shreve.
Her WGI and DCI experience includes 2016-2018 with Chattanooga Independent Percussion Ensemble and 2017 with Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, as a member of the front ensemble in both groups.
Hollie began working with Troopers Drum and Bugles Corps in the summer of 2018. She since has served various roles on the administrative team.
Hollie met her husband Bradley through the marching arts community. Together they enjoy creating music, art, Troopers Bingo, and spending time with their two dogs and three cats.