RTOB JUDGES
Andrew Buikema
Rockford, MI
Role - Prelims: Music Performance Ensemble
Role - Finals: Music General Effect
Andrew has 25 years of experience in design and instruction in marching band programming and 14 years teacher as a Director of Bands in Michigan (Grant, MI). His marching bands were incredibly successful at local, state, and national competitions and were regular participants in BOA Regional and Grand National competitions. His bands and jazz bands were also regular participants in MSBOA festivals and clinics.
Jeff Hood
Adair County, KY
Role - Prelims: Visual Performance Individual
Role - Finals: Visual Performance Ensemble
Jeff Hood is a native of Adair County, KY, with Music Ed degrees from Western KY University and the University of Kentucky. He served as Director of Bands at Beechwood Independent Schools, George Rogers Clark, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. During his 7 year tenure, the Beechwood Band grew from 28 to 96 members.
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While at GRC, the band won the first KMEA State Championship, Regional Champions at 4 Bands of America
David Kaiser
Venice, FL
Role - Prelims: Music General Effect
Role - Finals: Music Performance Individual
David is a retired Band Director, after 35 successful years in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. He taught mainly grades 5 – 12 band, and his programs were very successful in marching, jazz, and concert band. David is currently serving as Executive Director Elect for Central States Judges Association, where he has been an active member the past 22 years, as well as Music Caption Head for 7 years. In 2023, he was elected to the CSJA Hall of Fame. David is also a WGI Winds Adjudicator
Greg Mills
King, OH
Role - Prelims: Music Performance Individual
Role - Finals: Music Performance Ensemble
Mr. Mills is a native of Tennessee where he attended Bolivar Central High School and graduated cum laude from The University of Memphis in 1978. Mr. Mills currently resides with his wife Maureen in Loveland, Ohio.
As a music educator, Mr. Mills taught at Briarcrest High School in Memphis, Tennessee, Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and retired in June of 2012 after thirty years as Director of Instrumental Music at Kings High School.
Jim Sturgeon
Henderson, NV
Role - Prelims: Visual Performance Ensemble
Role - Finals: Visual Performance Individual
Jim Sturgeon is very humbled to say he has been actively involved in the pageantry arts for more than 30 years. His involvement with the activity has taken him to 46 states and 6 countries. He proudly serves as an adjudicator for Drum Corps International (DCI), Bands of America (BOA), Winter Guard International (WGI), and many local and regional marching band and color guard circuits across the country.
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David Veda
Henderson, NV
Role - Prelims: Visual General Effect
Role - Finals: Visual General Effect
Mr. David Veda has over 30 years of pageantry arts experience to his credit. He has served as a designer and clinician for drum corps, winter guard and marching band throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Europe and Kuwait. He has spent 15 years with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, first as a performer, then as a designer/instructor. During this time, the corps won a Drum Corps International (DCI) Championship and a DCI Best Color