Say Hello To Our Next Executive Director

Following a nationwide call for applicants, the Colts Youth Organization found its next executive director in its own backyard. Vicki MacFarlane, currently director of youth programs, will take over as the fourth executive director in the organization’s 63-year history.

Colts Executive Director Jeff MacFarlane is scheduled to retire in September after more than two decades of employment with the organization — the past 13 years as its chief executive. He plans to continue in a part-time role serving as senior advisor and working on special projects. His initial involvement with the Colts began as an 11-year-old snare drummer in the Colt Cadets.

Vicki MacFarlane also started her engagement with the organization as a participant. She played baritone for two seasons with the Colts. Vicki earned a degree in music education from Wartburg College and taught middle school band in North English — as well as coaching a few of the school athletics teams. She started as a full-time employee with the Colts in 2001 and served as director of the Colt Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps for many years before becoming Colts director in 2012. More recently, Vicki earned a master’s degree in nonprofit leadership and management from Arizona State University.

“Vicki brings deep experience, a strong track record within our organization, and a clear commitment to our mission, and we’re confident she is the right person to serve as our next executive director,” said Board President Ken Driscoll. “We conducted a national search to ensure we identified the very best leader for this role, and throughout that process it became increasingly clear that Vicki stood out. She has the full confidence of our board and is widely respected across the drum corps community.”

At the 2022 Drum Corps International World Championships, Vicki received the Dr. Bernard Baggs Leadership Award given to the DCI World Class Director of the Year as selected by her peers. She was the first woman in DCI's first 50 years to receive the award. She was also honored locally with a Women of Achievement Award for service and support of nonprofit work in 2018. She is currently one of nine members of the Drum Corps International Board of Directors serving in her second term.

“I’m motivated for the challenge ahead, and to see where we can take the organization I’ve served for most of my career,” said Vicki. “The Colts are led by a very strong board of directors. I’ve had the pleasure of working with an incredible group of staff and volunteers, and I’m excited to continue the relationships I’ve built with so many of our supporters. As an alumnus, I also believe it’s important to foster our alumni engagement and stay connected with those who laid our foundation.”

The Colts Youth Organization operates with six full-time employees and an annual budget of over $2.3 million. The Colts have been a continuous thread in Dubuque’s artistic and educational fabric since 1963, providing access for thousands of young people and enriching the community for all those who have experienced a performance. Programs include the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps, Colt Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, Colts Summer Band, and Colts World Percussion. Over 700 young people ages 8-21 annually participate in a Colts program.

Check out this wonderful article on the DCI website featuring our incoming CEO.