DAVID HELMS
Class of 2013
CADET / ADMINISTRATION / DRIVER / VOLUNTEER
Cadet Years: Percussion/Snare (1979-1982)
Administration: (1983-2004)
Assistant Corps Director: (1984-1988)
Office Manager/Fundraiser: (1989-1993)
Co-Founder and Operations Manager for Cadets Stagecoach: (1993-2004)
HIS CADET STORY:
After Dave’s marching years, he worked in administration hoping to improve the operation of the Cadets organization. Volunteers were always an issue for the organization and during his time in administration we were fortunate to have many valuable people join the Corps to make touring and running events possible. Dave was proud to have worked with many HOF volunteer members including Jack & Ellen Warntz, Bill & Pat Croissant, George Lucas, Noel & Joan Borden, Bill Speakman and Larry Laugier. Starting the Cadets Marching Band Cooperative (CMBC) was a major initiative in 1988 to both generate revenue and improve local recruiting. What started as the brainchild of Cadets Alum Larry Ambrosio has become one of the nation’s largest marching band associations now known as US Bands.
As roles changed within the organization, Dave joined Cadet volunteers Paul Robertson, Gary Berger, George Lucas and Mark Emr to start Cadets Stagecoach, the first (and only) commercial business operation in Cadets history. He ran this business through 2004 when he moved on to work with fellow Cadets Alum Greg Pych at a business manufacturing orthopedic implants for dogs and cats.
The Cadets organization has been a huge part of his life since 1979. During his time managing volunteers and running the bus company, he met his wife Charity (a Cadet Alum) who came to the organization as a bus driver through the UMass Amherst transit driver program. They were married in 2013.
Additional Honors:
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Distinguished Service Award – 1981
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Cadet of the Year – 1982
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John Tokar Alumni Service Award - 2002
