Kevin Valentine – Executive Director
Kevin Valentine brings over 25 years of leadership, technology, and operations management experience to Gold Youth Arts, having held senior leadership positions with Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and Hilton Hotels.
He is responsible for all aspects of the Organization, including strategic planning, marketing, financial and operational execution, legal and regulatory compliance, human resources management and volunteer coordination, as well as operation of the GOLD’s four performance ensembles (Gold Indoor Percussion, GOLD Winter Guard, Gold Wind Symphony, and GOLD Drum & Bugle Corps.)
Mr. Valentine is a member of the Drum Corps International Open Class Advisory Committee, and is a two time winner of the Dr. David Kampschroer Leadership Award (2023 and 2026) recognizing the Open Class Director of the Year.
Mr. Valentine holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Azusa Pacific University, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Joe Paul – Corps Director
Joe Paul has acquired a wealth of experience in the pageantry arts over the past 30-plus years. He was a performing member and staff member of both Avatar Winter Guard from Southern California and The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from Rosemont, Illinois. Since then he has taught a wide range of high school and independent bands, color guards, and drum corps.
Joe was the director of Allusion Winter Guard for 6 years and currently designs for several high school marching band and winter guard programs. Prior to joining Gold, Joe has served on the administrative team for The Cavaliers and as the Director of Operations for The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps.
Joe has been an active judge for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, Utah Winter Guard Association and the Northwest Pageantry Association and is frequently called upon as a guest judge in various circuits across the country. He has also been a clinician for the Winter Guard Association of Southern California and the SCSBOA, and has served on the Executive Committee of the WGASC.
He holds a Bachelors Degree in Art from the California State University, Northridge. He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA where he works professionally as a Graphic Designer and Drill Writer.
Jeremy Grasz – Director of Technology and Live Events
Mr. Grasz has over 20 years of operations experience at Best Buy Co., Inc., as well as more than 10 years’ experience managing the operations of Gold Drum & Bugle Corps.
He is responsible for all technology systems including website design, social media, E-commerce, systems administration, and customer relationship management systems, as well as managing administrative tasks for all GOLD Drum & Bugle Corps events.
Mr. Grasz currently lives in Oceanside, CA.
Darcy Johnson – Health Team Manager
When not touring with the drum corps, Darcy works as a paraeducator for the San Diego Unified School District, where she has served for over 15 years. Combining her background in student support with her passion for the marching arts, she leads the Gold Drum & Bugle Corps Health & Wellness team.
As a registered Emergency Medical Technician, she directs routine member care, triage, injury response, and daily health logistics tailored specifically to the physical demands of drum corps. Working alongside athletic trainers and corps leadership, she manages preventative wellness protocols and emergency readiness to foster a safe, supportive environment where members can perform at their highest level.
Darcy resides in San Diego and is supported by her husband, Alex, and her sons, Tyler, Carter, and Seth.
Benjamin Gonzalez – Social Media Marketing Manager
Benjamin Gonzalez is a designer and creator based in Southern California. His creative journey began at John F. Kennedy High School (La Palma) where he was Social Media Manager of the Shamrock Regiment. He continued to coach parade bands during the Fall seasons, while also completing his A.A. in Film, Television, and Electronic Media from Fullerton College. After graduating, he pursued a B.A. in Communications from California State University, Fullerton, and is currently at USC Annenberg pursuing a Master’s Degree in Digital Media Management.
In 2022, Benji was on staff with FloMarching, helping to cover Drum Corps International’s historic 50th Anniversary Season. He has also worked with various labor, non-profit, educational, and other marching arts organizations in a variety of roles related to communications and digital media.
Presently, he is a Director of Marketing & Communications at the Riverside Arts Academy, and is also the Director of Marketing for CASMEC – California’s All-State Music Education Conference.
Additionally, Benji also spends his winters as a staff member with the Green Band Association, assisting educators and students from Japan as they travel to California for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.