Arsenal Performing Arts
Board of Directors
Hector Aguirre, Jr.
Executive Director
Hector is a life-long resident of the Desert Southwest. As a native of El Paso, TX, he has been the owner of the Hector Aguirre Insurance Agency with an affiliation as an Exclusive Agent with Allstate Insurance Companies since 2005. He was a member of the Contra Bass Line with the 1996 Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. Since that time, he has worked with various high school marching bands in the El Paso Area. He is currently the Marching at Eastwood High School. Prior to taking over as director, he served on the Board of Director for Arsenal Performing Arts since 2018 Since becoming the Executive Director of Arsenal Performing Arts, Arsenal Drum and Bugle Corps has continued to grow and give the students and staff an educational experience they won’t forget taking the Silver Medal in the 2019 DCI Southwestern Championships and the Gold Medal in 2022 SoundSport Virtual Competition.
In 2021, Hector was one of the founders of our 2nd Organization under the APA blanket, Glory Independent Winter Guard which took 4th place in our Inaugural Season at the 2022 WGI Sport of the Arts World Championships in the Independent A Class. Glory Independent will compete in the Open Class of WGI in 2023.
Patrick Brown
Board President
Patrick Brown is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Viva Auto Group in El Paso, TX where he oversees the day-to-day operations of a company with over 700 employees. He has over 20 years of leadership experience as a management professional with extensive experience in all facets of the retail automotive environment. Possesses ability to create positive work atmosphere where pride and motivation reflect results. Expertise in areas of general business, sales, finance, marketing, fixed operations, revitalizing under-performing operations and customer service. Proven record of accomplishment of achieving outstanding net profit margins, top ranking CSI scores for large volume dealerships. A firm but fair leader able to gain confidences easily and develop relationships built on mutual trust and respect. Successfully motivates staff to perform at full potential while maintaining the highest levels of customer loyalty. Patrick is also a member of the local music community as he is the front ensemble coordinator for the Eastwood High School Marching Band under the direction of Bryan Andrade and Art Avila Jr. asa well as an associate music director with the Abundant Living Faith Center. Patrick has been a member of the Arsenal board since 2019 and has two children currently involved in the professional marching arts DCI programs for the last five years.
Natalie Pascoe
Board Treasurer
Natalie Pascoe has over 25 years of experience in the accounting field. She holds degrees in economics, accounting, and finance, and is a Certified Fraud Examiner. Natalie has been working in the bankruptcy finance/litigation arena since 2009. A resident of New Mexico since childhood, Natalie has followed Drum Corps since high school and has had the honor of being a proud Drum Corps mom and volunteer. Natalie has been a member of the Arsenal board since 2017 and been treasurer since 2018.
Bonnie Soria Najera
Board Member
Bonnie is the Marketing Manager for Burger King in El Paso and Laredo. One of the key roles she plays is as a liaison between local school districts and the company as a partner in education.
Bonnie was elected for a 6 year term on to the El Paso Community College Board of Trustees in 2017.
She has 3 daughters (Leah, Amber and Crystal). With her daughter Amber being in color guard for 9 years, 4th year marching with Crossmen and Crystal being in color guard for 7 years, 2nd year with Crossmen, Bonnie is very familiar with the ins and outs of the marching arts world.
She has served her community in various capacities and takes pride in her role as an advocate for providing students with opportunities to contribute positively to the community. She enjoys her active involvement in various educational associations, fundraising and volunteer work throughout the community..
Andrew Hunter, D.M.A.
Board Member
Dr. Andrew Hunter is the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at The University of Texas at El Paso. He joined the faculty in 2018. In his duties at UTEP, Dr. Hunter directs the Marching Miners marching band, the Basketball Pep Band, the Symphony Band, and teaches Conducting. Prior to his appointment at UTEP, Dr. Hunter served on the faculties of the University of Southern Mississippi, where he received the Thomas V. Fraschillo Award for Outstanding Musicianship among faculty, Louisiana College, where he was named Professor of the Year in 2012, and public schools in Louisiana and Georgia. Dr. Hunter holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied with Dr. Catherine Rand. His doctoral dissertation focused on the wind band and chamber winds compositions of Pulitzer Prize-winning composers. He also holds the Master of Music degree from Northwestern State University, and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Hunter has worked as a clinician, adjudicator, and lecturer in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Izmir, Turkey, where he presented a seminar on American music and wind band history. His ensembles have performed across the country, most notably in Carnegie Hall in February 2018. He holds professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, the National Association for Music Education, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.