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 Fine and Performing Arts.
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 became Corps Director in 2021, leading the organization through the pandemic, and back to the performance field.
Michael lives in Boise, Idaho with his wife Elizabeth, and their two teenage daughters, Audrey and Livie. Together they have a dog, two cats, and a rabbit.
MICHAEL ENGLAND
Assistant Corps Director
Michael is an active music educator throughout the United States and Canada.
From 2013-2021 Michael served as Director of Northern Empire Performing Arts in Edmonton, Alberta.
During his time in Edmonton, Michael worked with local schools, performing arts groups, and professional sports clubs where he directed marching arts programs including Lillian Osborne High School, the University of Alberta Athletics, and the Edmonton Elks Football team, where he coaches the EE Drumline.
Michael is also an adjudicator with the Canadian Drumline Association where he assists with clinics, and adjudicating competitions throughout Western Canada.
Michael has performed on the national stage at events including the 2014 Canadian Country Music Awards with the award winning country music band Little Big Town and 2018 Grey Cup Halftime Show with the EE Drumline and Grammy award winner Alessia Cara.
From 2010-2012 Michael served as percussion caption head and program coordinator for the DCI Open Class Corps, The Blue Saints from Sudbury, Ontario. In 2017, Michael was able to travel with the Calgary Stetsons Showband as drumline instructor on their tour to Halifax, NS where they performed during the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. During a short return to the United States in the fall of 2018, Michael served as Assistant Director of Bands for Benton High School Benton, Louisiana. During a shortened season in 2019-2020, Michael joined the percussion staff with the Calgary Round Up Band.
Michael holds a Master of Music Degree (Music Education) and Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern State University where he studied percussion under Mr. Ken Green and Dr. Oliver Molina.
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.
AMY ROBERTS
Marketing Director
Amy Roberts Clark comes to the Troopers by way of her love of drum corps, her experience in public relations/marketing and her interest in combining the two.
Roberts holds a BS in Communications focused on Public Relations and Journalism as well as a Master’s in Public Administration concentrated in Marketing for not-for-profits. She has 25+ years of PR, journalism, photography, publication production, event planning and campaign management experience. She produced 80+ issues of a national magazine, published her first book in 2021, and has had articles in the Los Angeles Times, the Austin American Statesman, the Houston Chronicle and more.
Amy’s favorite work has been event planning, fundraising, promotion and international travel coordination for the DeKalb High School Marching Barbs. Other non-profit marketing and public relations clients include the American Shetland Pony Club, the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal, DeKalb County 4-H Foundation, the Private Industry Council of Northern Illinois and others.
Amy’s love for the marching arts began as a member of a competitive high school marching band. Her love of public relations grew from the attention that band garnered in local, state and national media on their trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade. She encouraged her children to pursue marching music performance. Daughter Hannah is a 2021 DCI age out, whose 7 years marching included a year in the Troopers’ color guard.
A native of Illinois, Amy and her husband now live in Arvada, CO. Hannah is in college in Iowa where she is color guard coordinator for a local high school. Daughter Maddie studies at Colorado State University and pursues the family’s other interest, showing small equine at the national level.
When not following winter indoor, DCI and fall high school marching band, Amy enjoys horse shows, reading, crafting and spending time with family and friends.
MATHEW KRUM
Office Manager/Bingo Director
Mat has been with the Troopers organization since marching in the late 1980's. He aged out in 1993 as Drum Major and has continued serving the organization in many capacities over the years including as Corps Director, and the Director of Bingo. Mat is an inductee of the Troopers Hall of Fame and is the longest serving employee in Trooper history.
HOLLIE JO CARR BURTON
Housing Coordinator/International Member Liaison
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.
JEN KOWALSKI
Parent Liaison/Troopers Fan Club
Jen Kowalski is a long-time parent volunteer who started helping when her son, Jason, became a Trooper in 2011. In 2012 she started what became The Troopers Parent and The Troopers Fan pages on Facebook as a more efficient way to share information. When Jason aged out in 2013 she decided she wasn’t finished yet and continued volunteering. In 2017 she was named Troopers volunteer of the year and has become a help to new and vet parents alike helping in any capacity she may be needed in.
In 2008 Jen graduated from San Antonio College with a degree in Music Business. In 2009 started working with Rat Pak Records as the VP of Administrations/Media Relations where she continues working today. Currently, Jen is living in South Carolina after spending 10+ years in Texas and she is a native of Southern California.
DANA GOELZ
Culinary Director
Dana began as a parent volunteer for Troopers in 2012 when her son, AJ, joined the Troopers Contra Line until he aged out in 2015. In 2016 her daughter, Ally, joined the Troopers Color Guard. Dana was honored to be named volunteer of the year in 2018. In 2021, Dana was named Food Tuck Manager and helped to revolutionize the Troopers food program. Dana continues as our Culinary Director.
With the kids in college, Dana lives with her husband, Ray, in Valparaiso, Indiana where she has been a kindergarten teacher for 35 years. Dana is very thankful that Ray is so supportive of her spending her summers with the corps leaving him to hold down the fort.
For those interested in working and volunteering in our food program, please submit a volunteer form by CLICKING HERE.
HAILEY DAVIS
Volunteer Coordinator
Hailey is a Kindergarten teacher by day, marching band enthusiast by night. She has always had a passion for the marching arts and has been a long time fan of drum corps.
She grew up in Southern California where she participated in music programs from 5th grade all the way through her third year of college.
She attended Chino High school where she played Tuba and was a part of the marching band and winter guard. While in college Hailey coached a local high school color guard team and participated in the college’s wind ensemble and concert band.
She moved up to Southern Oregon where she finished her Bachelors and Masters in Education and began her teaching career.
Being a long time fan of drum corps, but never marched in one, Hailey was determined to find a way to keep music a part of her life. On a whim, she saw a “volunteers needed” posting for the Troopers and decided to reach out. She was then welcomed into the Troopers family and got to experience working in a variety of avenues such as fitting and altering uniforms, sewing props, assisting the medical team, working on the food truck and more. After one memorable (and very exhausting) summer of volunteering with the Troopers for the 2021 season, she knew she wanted to be a part of it again. She was named as one of the "Volunteer of the year" award winners. When she was offered the position of Volunteer Coordinator she happily accepted and is extremely excited to be a part of the Troopers family for the 2022 season!
TINA BOYD
Uniform Manager
When Tina’s daughter joined Troopers in 2013, this Color Guard Mom who had been on the High School Band Booster Board knew how important parent volunteers were to the success of any Band organization. For her, signing up to be a parent volunteer was an easy choice. Working on the food truck is where she began her Trooper Parent adventure. Quickly realizing that she had a sewing background the jump was made to Uniform fittings, alterations and of course the ever popular “Uniform Laundry Days” aka “Haze Mat Duty”. Once daughter Cristyn aged out in 2016 leaving the Trooper Family was never an option for the Boyd Family. Trooper Alum Cristyn and Mom joined the Trooper Administration Team in 2019 and are looking forward to another successful year in 2022.
Tina currently lives in Coppell, Texas with her husband Joe. Their oldest daughter, Calyn, lives in Oklahoma City who also supports the Corps whenever she can. Tina is a retired Flight Attendant and is grateful for all of the friends she made during her flying career as well as the Trooper Staff and Parents that now make up her new extended family.