Spirit of Atlanta Announces the Appointment of Key Leadership Roles Heading Into 2023 Season
ATLANTA, Nov. 14, 2022 -- Spirit of Atlanta's (SoA) Board of Directors today announced the appointment of two key leadership positions as the organization continues its restructuring process ahead of the 2023 season. First, Spirit of Atlanta board member and communications professional, Jason Burns, has been appointed Executive Director. Also, current USA Gymnastics Director of Member Club Outreach and Education, Shelba Waldron, has been tapped as the new Sr. Director of Safety and Compliance.
Jason comes to Spirit of Atlanta with over 20 years’ experience as a business leader, spearheading marketing and communications programs with several organizations, including The Walt Disney Company, NASCAR, and IBM. Since 2018, he's served as a marketing and community relations leader for Generation T, a grassroots movement developed by Lowe's Home Improvement to raise awareness around skilled trades education, and diversity and equality in skilled trades careers. The award-winning program has reached nearly 3 million people across the United States through innovative digital campaigns and in-person, immersive education programs.
"Jason is an energetic, innovative leader whose strategic approach and business aptitude is precisely what we were looking for in our next executive director," said George Dickinson, President of the Spirit of Atlanta Board of Directors. "Spirit is pleased to welcome Jason into our drum corps family, and we look forward to his contributions as we impact our community and the lives of our members with our mission of character building and performance excellence.”
In his new role, Jason will direct all administrative functions, construct, and implement Spirit of Atlanta's strategic plan, spearhead fundraising initiatives, and oversee its human resources. diversity and risk management programs. He will also lead Spirit of Atlanta's new community education efforts to expand performing arts educational opportunities in Atlanta and the surrounding communities.
"I am extremely honored to be welcomed into the Spirit of Atlanta family and have the privilege to lead this organization into the future," said Burns. "Spirit has a storied place in the drum corps community, and I'm inspired by the challenge of redefining our culture and approach to our member experience. The future is bright for Spirit of Atlanta, and I'm thrilled to be part of it."
Jason's selection caps a six-month, intensive nationwide search led by a third-party nonprofit recruiting and consulting firm, Our Funding Search, based in Atlanta, Georgia. The final group interviews involved a diverse panel, including current board members, Spirit of Atlanta Alumni, and community business leaders.
Shelba Waldron joins Spirit of Atlanta as the new Sr. Director of Safety and Compliance after spending the past seven months with the organization leading the design and execution of Spirit of Atlanta’s revamped safety and wellness program. She began her work with USA Gymnastics in 2018 as the Director of Safe Sport Policy and Education, having recently moved positions to fully focus on educational initiatives for coaches and club management. She has spent over 25 years working in the field of youth protection and youth development and as such, has found a home working on safety initiatives with those in youth sports. She has a master’s degree in Criminal Justice and worked the first half of her career as a Recreation Therapist in residential centers, where she counseled children living with the trauma of abuse.
“Shelba’s passion for youth safety and education demonstrates why she is one of the leading experts in this area,” said Executive Director, Jason Burns. “Her guidance has been invaluable, and we knew from the moment she joined our reorganization team that there was no one else we would rather have in this role. I am confident that the program she has built for Spirit of Atlanta is a best-in-class example of how our activity can and should move forward in our mission to advocate for member safety.”
Shelba also brings a keen understanding of drum corps and marching arts activities from the standpoint of a performer, instructor, and administrator. Her marching arts experience includes stints with Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps and Pride of Cincinnati Winter Guard. She has taught numerous World Class finalist programs such as the Paradigm Performance Ensemble and Alliance of Miami. Shelba recently served as a board member for Music City Drum Corps as Music City’s Chair of the Participant Protection Committee. As a judge Shelba has judged nationally for over 20 years in both the marching band and winter circuits. Shelba’s most recent work with the marching arts is facilitating policy development for drum corps, winter guard associations, and marching bands in the areas of performer and staff safety.
About Spirit of Atlanta
Founded in 1976, the Spirit of Atlanta is Georgia based performing arts organization whose primary mission is to provide young musicians and artists with opportunities to develop life and personal skills through affirmative, high-quality, challenging arts and athletic education programs emphasizing character building, a strong work ethic, teamwork, and the pursuit of performance excellence. Its primary program, Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, is a 20-time Drum Corps International World-Class finalist. Comprised of 165 members between the ages of 14-21, the group travels across the United States each year to compete and perform for hundreds of thousands of fans. Performers spend hundreds of hours perfecting a 12-minute show performed on a football field using brass, percussion, color guard (flags and rifles), dance, and other exciting performance elements. The organization is sponsored by Friends of Spirit Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3).