The Teal Sound, Inc.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Teal Sound, Inc. is to train youth through the highest quality of artistic movement, music education and cooperative team building to enable them to reach their full potential, thereby empowering their future role in society as exemplary citizens, innovators, and leaders.
Board of Directors
Chairman
Dr. Cliff Lipscomb
 Dr. Clifford A. Lipscomb, who joined the faculty in 2005, is the Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) and an Assistant Professor of Economics. Dr. Lipscomb has an undergraduate degree in economics and sociology from Berry College (1998) and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology (2003). Most recently, Dr. Lipscomb worked as a Research Economist for the Regional Economic Analysis Division, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, in Washington, DC. In his current work at VSU, Dr. Lipscomb teaches managerial economics, math for economists, sustainability, and principles of microeconomics. He has published 6 refereed articles, 2 refereed contributions to books on spatial processes, and editorials in the Washington Post and Valdosta Daily Times. Dr. Lipscomb also is responsible for the quarterly Cost-of-Living Index for Valdosta, which allows a comparison of the cost to live in Valdosta to other metropolitan areas in the U.S. He also is the Book Review Editor for the Review of Regional Studies.
Outside of economics, Dr. Lipscomb is the incoming Chairman of the Board of Directors for the non-profit The Teal Sound, Inc. of Florida, and a judge for the United States Scholastic Band Association, the Florida Federation of Color Guards, and the Atlantic Indoor Association. Dr. Lipscomb also coordinates all of marching percussion activities for the VSU Blazin’ Brigade, which includes student recruitment, writing the percussion music for the halftime shows at VSU football games, and instructing the drumline.
Vice Chairman/ Educational Representative
Mr. John W. Wilkerson
 Mr. John W. Wilkerson is the Director of Bands at Middleburg High School. He was previously the Director of Bands at Baldwin Middle/Senior High School. A 1991 graduate of Union County High School, Mr. Wilkerson earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Jacksonville University. Mr. Wilkerson is a member of the Teal Sound, Inc. Board of Directors.
Mr. Wilkerson marched with Suncoast Sound Drum and Bugle and has served on staff of the Suncoast Sound Drum and Bugle Corps andThe Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. His bands have earned both Superior and Excellent ratings at the district, state, and the National levels. In 2004 – 2005 his band performed at the Concert Band Invitational at the University of North Florida and was the only Band invited to perform at the City of Jacksonville Day at the State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida. At this event, they performed for Senator Stephan R. Wise and Governor Jeb Bush. On July 4, 2005, the Baldwin Middle/Senior High School Band marched in the 4th of July Parade in Washington DC representing Jacksonville, Duval County, and the State of Florida.
In 1996, Mr. Wilkerson was inducted into the Florida Colligate Music Educators National Conference Hall of Fame, and was a part of the 1996 Closing Ceremonies of the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
His professional affiliations include: Music Educators National Conference, The National Band Association, The Florida Bandmaster Association, The Florida Federation of Colorguard Circuit, and the Florida Music Educators Association. He has two wonderful children, Allison and Jake.
Board Members
Mr. Brian Fisher
Mr. Alex Kaminsky
Alexander Kaminsky received his Bachelor of Music Education degree with high honors from the University of Florida and a Master of Music degree with highest distinction from Indiana University. As Director of Bands at Buchholz High School, his teaching responsibilities include the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Techniques, and the “Golden Regiment” Marching Band.
Under Mr. Kaminsky’s direction, the Buchholz band program has received Superior ratings at all marching and concert festivals at both the district and state levels. Most recently, the Buchholz Wind Symphony was selected to perform at the 2009 New York Wind Band Festival held in Carnegie Hall and received an invitation to perform at the 2009 Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic. In 2009, Kaminsky became the only director in the history of FBA to have three concert bands earn straight Superior ratings at the state level. Prior to his appointment at Buchholz, Kaminsky served as Director of Bands at Lincoln High School where his band earned invitations to perform at prestigious state and national festivals and conferences including the 2001 University of Florida Concert Band Invitational, the 2002 National Concert Band Festival, the 2004 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference, and the 2005 Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic
Mrs. Cherie L. Starling
 Mrs. Cherie Starling is a member of The Teal Sound, Inc. Board of Directors. Cherie holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration (marketing concentration) from Michigan State University. Throughout high school and college she was actively involved in music as a trumpet player in many varied ensembles. In 1977 she was a member of the Windsor Guardsmen; and in 1980 Cherie was a member of the 27th Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps.
She currently is HRIS/Payroll Manager for Manitowoc, formerly known as Enodis, a world leader of food and beverage equipment manufacturers with the Foodservice Division headquartered in Trinity, FL.
Cherie’s involvement in activities outside work includes Boy Scouts for nine years, Senior Girl Scout Troop #856 for ten years, and all through-out college. Cherie resides in Tampa, FL with her husband, Wayne, son Chase, and daughter Savannah, whom is a veteran member of The Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps.
Mr. Pete Refsnider
Pete Refsnider currently lives in Fleming Island, Florida with his wife of 33 years, and works in Jacksonville for Outotec (USA), Inc. as the Service Manager and Senior Mining and Mineral Processing Engineer. Pete attended the Pennsylvania State University, graduating with a B.S. in Mining Engineering. Pete is also a Vietnam Veteran having served in the U.S. Navy for six years with one tour in Vietnam.
Pete has been a fan of drum corps since the early seventies, watching Finals on PBS, but never marched junior corps. He was a trombone player for six years. Pete has been associated with the Kilties Senior Corps playing Baritone and Euphonium.
He became active in drum corps when his youngest son began marching back in 1998 with Capital Regiment. Pete was an active parent and enjoyed his camp weekends with the corps immensely. Since Pete’s sons left the roost a few years ago, he has been looking for an opportunity to get back into the activity in an effort to help promote drum corps, and to just be involved. Mr. Refsnider joined the Teal Sound, Inc. Board of Directors soon thereafter.
Mr. Scotty Vance
 Mr. Scotty Vance is the Band Director at West Port High School in Ocala, Florida. He has taught at West Port since the school opened in 2000. West Port High School is home to the Marion County Center for the Arts (MCCA). This is a performing and visual arts magnet program that attracts (through audition) artistically talented students. On the musician side his students are more focused towards music as a possible career choice after high school. To that end their training is more rigorous than a typical school. Under his direction his bands have received many awards including superior ratings in marching, jazz, symphonic, as well as visual ensemble. His main goal is for his students to be the best that THEY can be!
Mr. Vance received his Bachelors degree in Music Education (BME) from Florida State University in 1993 and has taught music for sixteen years and has taken some coursework towards his Masters degree at the University of Florida as well. Mr. Vance is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association and is currently the FBA District 19 Chairman. He is also a member of the FEA, FMBC, FMEA, FSMA, MCCA, MCMA, MENC, and the NEA. Mr. Vance has been on the Board of Directors for The Teal Sound, Inc. of Florida since 2008.
Glenn Rainey
Glenn Rainey is currently Creative Services Director for WTXL ABC27HD serving Tallahassee, FL – Thomasville, GA – Valdosta, GA. He has held this position for the past two years. Glenn has spent the past 20 years working in the television industry, both on the Production as well as Promotion/Marketing fronts.
He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He has a bachelor’s degree in Radio & TV Production with a minor in Wildlife Management.
Glenn also served 8 years in the US Army in Operation Just Cause, Desert Storm, and Somalia. He was awarded the Bronze Star Second Oak Leaf Cluster, along with various other military awards and commendations. Glenn served as Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Instructor for R.O.T.C. classes at the University of Southern Mississippi and Murray State University.
Glenn played the French Horn for 6 years and studied under Dr. Grabel at Auburn University. He has attended numerous Marching & Concert Clinics around the country.
What compelled Glenn to become a board member of the Teal Sound Drum & Bugle Corps? “Advocacy” he said…”To become an advocate for Teal Sound Drum & Bugle Corps and to help young men & women as they prepare for life.”
Jon Kersten
Jon Kersten has been involved in the music industry in many capacities for over 39 years. He has designed for many champion indoor color guards, indoor percussion lines, and is a designer/producer of numerous Bowl Game mass band half-time extravaganzas. Jon also is a conceptual and drill designer for many current outstanding Drum and Bugle Corps and high school marching band championship programs. Mr. Kersten is the founder and Executive Director of the Florida Marching Band Tournament, which hosts over 30 statewide regional competitions, and over 90 bands in their one-day State championship events. He judges throughout the US on a state and national level and has been a clinician at various Music Educator Seminars throughout the Southeast. Recently he has done some motion choreography in TV commercials and music videos and has helped plan and produce other special musical / visual large scale coordinated events.
Ms. Debbie Santos
Staff Representative
Ralph Venezia
 Ralph Venezia is Staff Coordinator of the Teal Sound Drum Corps. A graduate of Oklahoma City University he has served as a designer, arranger, instructor, adjudicator and clinician for corps and bands since 1971. He was a member of the Fair Lawn Cadets and Hawthorne Muchahcos. As a performer and brass instructor for the Hawthorne Caballeros they won five American Legion National titles and four DCA World titles including an undefeated season.
As a trumpet player and percussionist he has performed with the Oklahoma City Junior Symphony, Ridgewood Concert Band and Orchestra, the Metropolitan Brass and ESAD Brass Quartette. Recently he was on the staff of the Cypress Creek High School Band and the Magic of Orlando Drum Corps. He is employed by the Youth Programs division of the Walt Disney Company in Orlando. He resides with his wife The Rev. Deborah Venezia and their two Basset Hounds Queen Elizabeth 111 and Princess Margaret, Countess of Kissimmee.
Corps Director - (Non Voting)
Mr. Randy Blackburn
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