Introducing our 2010 Judges

MISS PANEL OF JUDGES

Tracee Roderick Comfort, a native of Memphis, TN was crowned Miss Memphis 2000 and competed at Miss Tennessee winning the honor of second runner up. Tracee won over $10,000 in scholarships competing in the Miss America program and gained lifelong friends and cherished memories. Tracee has enjoyed an accomplished career in entertainment leading her from the red carpets of Hollywood as a TV host to acting in guest spots on national television and leading roles in independent film projects as well as penning scripts for the Off-Broadway stages of New York. She is in the process of launching her lifestyle brand - Mrs. ComfortTM Inc., a title she recently earned when she married Billy Comfort III in September 2009.
Michelle Jennings has judged and volunteered several years for Miss America preliminary pageants in Tennessee and Mississippi and is the former executive director of Miss Bluegrass Festival, Miss Riverview, Miss Spirit of the South, Miss Savannah, and Miss Mid-south pageants in Savannah, TN. Michelle also received three honors from the Miss Tennessee Organization: State Volunteer of the Year-2004, Director of the Year-2005, and Most Organized Director-2006. Michelle holds a Bachelor degree from the University of TN are Martin in Criminal and Social Behavior and a Masters in Psychology with 18 completed hours toward her doctorate. She will also graduate in May with another Masters in Criminal Justice. She is currently employed in the healthcare field in Mississippi and is a member of the American Psychological Association, Southeastern Psychological Association, and Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychologists. Michelle resides in Ramer, Tennessee with her daughter.
Billie Ann Owen is a graduate of the University of Memphis where she was a scholarship gymnast and a member of the U of M Pom squad. She has had years of training and teaching experience in tap, ballet, jazz, and gymnastics. Her pageant experience includes holding the titles of Miss Memphis State and Miss Memphis as well as talent winner, and 1st Alternate in the Miss Tennessee Pageant. She has choreographed, directed, and judged pageants and talent contests at the local, state, and national level. Mrs. Owen and her husband, James have 2 sons; Curt and Kevin.
Terry Reeves, a native to Memphis Tennessee, is a graduate of Bishop Byrne High School and The University of Mississippi with a BA in Theater with an emphasis in vocal performance. Mr. Reeves is currently the special event / wedding coordinator and an award winning event stylist for Hicks Convention Services and Special Events Inc.. Terry has had the fortunate opportunity to have performed at some of America’s greatest concert venues including The Grand Ole Opry, Lincoln Center and Memphis’s very own Orpheum Theater. He is also an emcee and charity auctioneer and volunteers much of his time to local charities including Variety the Children’s Charity, Special Olympics, and SRVS. He attends Lindenwood Christian Church and resides in East Memphis.
Chris Thomas is a native Memphian and was Elected as Shelby County Probate Court clerk in 1994 and is running for the County Commission this upcoming May. He has 3 children. Thomas is Chairman of the Escort Marshals Committee for the St. Jude Golf classic and serves on the Marguerite Piazza St Jude Gala Board. He is Honorary Chairman for this years Hands on Memphis Spirit of Giving program. He also served on the Mid-South Fair's Senior Youth Talent Committee and is also involved with promotions for the Delta Fair and Music Festival. He is the emcee of the Miss Collierville scholarship pageant. He does modeling and acting for Colors Talent Agency. Last month, he finished filming a movie here in Memphis called The Grace Card that will come out next year and stars Louis Gossett Jr.

TEEN/PRINCESS PANEL OF JUDGES

Clarence McFerren II, native Memphian, received his B.S. in Mass Communication with minors in Dance, Speech and Theater from Middle Tennessee State University and his M.A. in Performing Arts: Dance with a focus in Education along with a graduate certificate in Arts Management from American University in Washington, D.C. McFerren has served as a finance specialist paratrooper in the U.S. Army, teacher with the D.C. public schools, associate professor at Collin County Community College in Plano, TX and Operations Manager/Development Assistant with the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Additionally he has served on the Dallas Independent School Districts K-8 Dance Advisory Board and interned at the National Endowment for the Arts Dance Department. McFerren has served  as a member of Americans for the Arts and the Tennessee Arts Commission Advisory Panel. Currently, he works as a high school teacher with the Memphis City Schools and has two sons, Matthew and Arthur, and two miniature schnauzers. 
José Leon works as a liaison for the District Attorney General of Shelby County and the Hispanic community and has been doing so for the last 5 years. He just finished his three-year term with Shelby County Head Start program. He also is also an adjunct Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Memphis School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy. Guest columnist for the local Hispanic Newspaper "La Prensa Latina," José was born and raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela. He attended law school at Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Caracas. He is a member of the Venezuelan Bar Association. In his leisure time, José enjoys playing rugby with the local team and does other outdoor activities. Currently pursuing his masters in Public Administration at the University of Memphis, he is married to Marianne who works for a local company as Human Resource analyst.
Loretta McNary has been in the communication and broadcasting industry for over 15 years as a speaker,  and author. She has hosted several popular TV and radio talk shows including The Loretta McNary Show and Comcast Cable's “On Cable Tonite”.  She is the founder of PINK EAGLES(C) , a girls leadership development and empowerment organization. Her mission in life is to share real life stories of trials and triumphs to inspire others to pursue their purpose in life with passion, integrity, professionalism and a never give-up attitude.  Her book "Faith for the Next Step" debuts in stores December 2009. Loretta’s favorite Words to live by are “In order to become a great leader one must first learn to serve others and then lead by example.
With a background in dance, Kristin Oswalt has competed throughout the Mid-south and judged several pageants including Miss Arkansas and Miss Tennessee preliminaries. Kristin attended the University of Mississippi where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.  A native of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Kristin currently resides in Collierville, Tennessee with her husband, Steve Oswalt.  She is a provisional member of the Junior League of Memphis and is involved with the Rebel Club.
Jason Rittenberry is President & CEO of Palm Beach International Raceway and Palm Beach Driving Club in Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to his new position at PBIR, Jason served as Vice President & General Manager of Memphis Motorsports Park for ten years. A 1997 graduate of the University of Memphis, Rittenberry has received several awards and recognitions including the Memphis Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 Award and Memphis Magazine’s 100 Who’s Who in Memphis. Professionally Rittenberry is actively involved in the International Association of Assembly Managers (IMMA), where he serves on the International Stadium Managers Committee. Jason devotes countless hours of time to community and civic organizations. A native of Clarksville, Tennessee, Jason and his wife, Jeanie currently reside in Lakeland, Tennessee, but will be relocating to Jupiter, Florida in the coming weeks. They have a daughter, Carson, and a son, Preston.

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