Jeff grew up in Beaumont, Texas and moved to Austin in 1990, graduating from Westlake in 1991. He went on to earn a business degree at Baylor University, where he walked on to the golf team his senior year. Sic ‘Em Bears!

Jeff’s 15 minutes of fame came in 2005 when he played a match-play event against Justin Leonard on ESPN in “People vs the Pros” for $100,000.

Jeff opened the Austin office for a Dallas-based commercial insurance firm, Tower Street Insurance in 2022. As a commercial risk advisor, he helps clients with personal insurance, commercial insurance, and business health benefit plans.

From 2011 to 2013, Jeff had a two-year adventure in Perth, Australia, where he sold demand-response programs for electric grid provider EnerNOC.

Jeff’s wife is Julie — an Aggie, rockstar, supermom, entrepreneur, inventor, commercial real estate developer, and DWTSA Champion (’21). Their children are Grace and Reece. Now empty nesters, the Jumonvilles split time between Austin and Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

A fun fact about Jeff: he may or may not be wearing tear-away pants at any given moment. When not working, he can be found on the golf course, pickle ball court, surfboard, or enjoying time with family and friends.

J.R. Martinez is an actor, best-selling author, motivational speaker, advocate, and U.S. Army veteran whose inspiring journey has touched countless lives. Raised by a single mother from El Salvador, J.R. grew up in Georgia and joined the Army after high school. In Iraq, a roadside bomb left him with severe burns, but during recovery, he discovered his gift for inspiring others.

J.R. gained fame as “Brot Monroe” on “All My Children” and as the season 13 winner of “Dancing with the Stars.” This year, he returns to the judge’s panel for Dancing with the Stars Austin.

Through his book “Full of Heart” and podcast “REBIRTH with J.R. Martinez,” he shares his story of resilience and hope.

J.R. lives in Austin, TX, with his wife Diana, children Lauryn and Leo, and their dog Ellie. A passionate advocate for veterans and burn survivors, he dedicates his time to raising awareness and fostering strength through storytelling, inspiring people to embrace life’s challenges with optimism and courage.

Amanda Tatom is a public speaker, on-camera host, and tastemaker.

Her 15+ years in television include reporting from the field and anchoring the evening news as well as launching and hosting Austin’s No. 1 lifestyle show. Amanda continues to grow her social media presence on Instagram, where she works with local and national brands. She loves navigating life as a newlywed to her darling husband, Troy, and “mom-ing” and “stepmom-ing” their five wonderful children.

Known for her fun and outgoing personality, Amanda enjoys making her guests feel comfortable and at home during interviews by having a good time and asking quirky questions. A reformed perfectionist, Amanda has found that taking life less seriously is a whole lot more fun — and that champagne and French fries are always a good idea.

Bruce Craig, a 4th generation Texan, is a distinguished entrepreneur with a wealth of experience as a real estate visionary. With a remarkable career spanning more than four decades, he has garnered extensive expertise in the development of residential and commercial properties.

During the last decade, Bruce has demonstrated his versatility by shifting his focus to the vibrant world of Entertainment. As the CEO and President of Big Easy Entertainment, which owns and operates a growing family of companies including numerous restaurant/bars, music company, television/radio programs, and technology company, Bruce has played a pivotal role in their success and provided ongoing oversight. His exceptional leadership skills, combined with his deep understanding of the real estate and hospitality sectors, have established him as a formidable force in the industry.

Bruce has always been an avid boatsman, and he realized his dream of owning a yacht in 2018 when he purchased a luxury 97’ Westship. He established a successful yacht charter business out of Florida and later replaced that yacht with a larger 132’ Westship. He sold that yacht and the charter business in 2024.

Bruce enjoys spending time with family and friends exploring the world and seeking international real estate opportunities.

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Allison Ellsworth is the Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Poppi: the modern soda brand revolutionizing soda for the next generation. She created poppi by experimenting in her kitchen to create an apple cider vinegar-infused soda that tasted great. From the farmers market to a Shark Tank deal, poppi quickly became one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic beverages in the U.S. and is the #1 selling soda on Amazon. Ellsworth leads the Austin-based beverage company’s overall brand strategy, creative, and innovation. She pioneered the brand’s cultural cache and digital-first approach, attracting a loyal community of over 1M followers, over 2B+ page views on TikTok, and celebrity brand fans including Kim Kardashian, Post Malone, Alix Earle, Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, and more. Allison was recognized in the 2024 Inc. Female Founders 250 and as the 2024 Founder of the Year by Modern Retail. She lives in Austin, TX with her husband and three boys.

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Christol, a proud South Texas native and graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, has built a career centered on leadership and community impact. As the Chief Operating Officer for U.S. Money Reserve, Christol oversees business support, quality assurance, and operational execution across the company’s core functions. With more than 15 years of leadership experience, she has played a key role in enhancing operational performance and streamlining processes. Under her guidance, U.S.M.R. has strengthened its operational infrastructure and achieved greater efficiency across all business areas.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Christol is deeply committed to making a difference in her community. Her passion for helping children was ignited after her first tour of the Center for Child Protection, and she quickly sought ways to advocate and volunteer her time to their cause. As a six-year Guardian Angel and former Chair of the Protect Austin Kids Golf Committee, Christol is dedicated to supporting the Center’s mission to protect children from abuse.

When she’s not working or volunteering, Christol enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. She is the wife of Edward, the proud mother of two sons, Luke and Charles, and the loving owner of a puppy named Cooper.

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Mark McCollum is a born-and-raised True Texan who values family above all else. Married 20 years to his lovely wife, Meredith, they are blessed with six grandchildren — plus one on the way.

Austin became home in 2015 when Mark retired from AutoNation, a Fortune 500 Automotive Company, where he led one of the largest retail markets in the country. Opportunity presented itself again when he became a partner of Land Rover Jaguar Boerne. After another rise to the top, Mark sold the dealership and retired again.

Mark is not one to sit idly by. He loves the challenge of building businesses, so he and his son-in-law formed their own private equity partnership and partnered with Dr. Matt Lowe, Founder of Dynamic Sports Medicine, with the intent of expansion from three locations to 15 in the first year.

Mark has always been an avid and dedicated athlete, playing basketball in college and now enjoying golf and tennis with an intense focus on fitness.

Mark has a soft spot for children and loves teaching, coaching, and helping them in any way possible — which he proves by supporting the Center for Child Protection, Sky High for Kids, and MJ&M charities.

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Dr. Tejas Patel is a leading cosmetic dentist in downtown Austin, Texas, specializing in smile makeovers and porcelain veneers. With over 20 years of experience, he’s known for combining clinical precision with artistic creativity to create beautiful, natural-looking smiles that boost his patients’ confidence.

After graduating from the University of Texas Dental School in Houston in 2002, Dr. Patel discovered his passion for cosmetic dentistry — the perfect mix of science, art, and helping others. His Austin-based practice attracts patients from across the country, and he’s recognized as one of the top cosmetic dentists in the U.S.

Dr. Patel is also one of the most followed cosmetic dentists on social media, where his creativity, humor, and viral videos have helped elevate public awareness around smile makeovers. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Patel teaches cosmetic dentistry to other dentists through his courses, helping them improve their skills and confidence with veneers and smile design.

Outside of the office, Dr. Patel loves spending time with his wife, Ami, and their two daughters, Asha and Kayla. He enjoys traveling, reading, movies, yoga, comic books, tennis, outdoor adventures with his two dogs, and he’s currently learning how to DJ.

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Dana Sasser was raised in Austin, TX in a vibrant, close-knit family led by entrepreneurial parents. Community involvement was a cornerstone of her upbringing, shaping the values she carries today.

After earning her degree and beginning her career in education, Dana transitioned into sales — where she spent over two decades not only exceeding goals but empowering others to do the same. Her passion for people and performance naturally led her to her next chapter as a small business owner, leadership coach, trainer, and advocate for professional growth.

Today, Dana owns and operates Express Employment Professionals, a local employment firm dedicated to connecting talent with opportunity. She also serves as a sales and leadership coach/trainer driven by a simple but powerful mission: to help people grow, lead with purpose, and thrive in business and life.

Outside of work, Dana cherishes time with her husband, two daughters, beloved friends, and her two favorite little humans — her grandchildren! Dana is deeply passionate about the well-being of children. For over 17 years, she’s been a proud supporter of the Center for Child Protection serving as a Guild member, Guardian Angel, and board member. She believes every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported.

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Skylar Schanen is a writer/screenwriter, actress, director, and co-founder of the Round Top Film Festival. Skylar spent her high school years split between Austin and Los Angeles to pursue acting and writing. At seventeen, her first screenplay, “Space Case,” was picked up and went on to win several film festival awards.

From there, Skylar shifted her focus to screenwriting and attended Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. While in college, she continued to write, act, and direct, creating short films such as “Angel” and “Deep Down.” She even co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in the feature film, “Pretty Boy.”

After college, Skylar moved to New York for a year. During that time, she and her mother founded the Round Top Film Festival — an event where creatives can experience amazing films, attend panels led by industry professionals, and build connections within the film community.

Now back in Austin, Skylar is focused on publishing her first novel, “Head Above Water,” writing her second novel, “Blood of the Lamb,” working with producers to get her script “Cheer Camp” to the big screen, teaching Round Top Film Festival Writing Workshops, and helping ensure the next festival is even better than the last.

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Dr. John K. Tsai is originally from St. Louis, Missouri (go Cardinals!) but moved to Austin in 2017. Second only to marrying his wife, Jessica, John considers his move to Austin the best decision of his life.

John is a senior partner, board member, and practicing gastroenterologist at Austin Gastroenterology. He also serves as a board member of the Texas Society for Gastroenterology and Endoscopy (TSGE) and is the current chairman of the TSGE Fellow’s Committee. John earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and medical degree through Northwestern University’s seven-year Honors Program in Medical Education. He completed his residency in internal medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell and his fellowship in gastroenterology and nutrition at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he also served as a chief medical resident. John has been selected perennially as a “Top Doctor,” and his interests include colon cancer prevention, advanced endoscopy, liver and inflammatory bowel disease, Barrett’s esophagus, and nutrition counseling. He practices medicine around the philosophy of always being competent and compassionate.

Outside of medicine, John enjoys fly-fishing, poker, traveling the world, and being a proud “Girl Dad” to his 9-year-old-daughter, Sloane, who believes he tells the worst dad jokes — but she still laughs.

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Leslie Gossett is one of Austin’s top 1% real estate agents, with more than 18 years of experience as a global real estate advisor at Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty. Her passion for real estate began at Texas Christian University, where she earned a finance degree and interned at two residential brokerages.

Beyond real estate, Leslie is a devoted advocate for holistic living, blending her professional success with a commitment to personal growth and well-being. She is the creator of “Lightworkers,” a podcast that celebrates people who are making a positive impact in the world. The podcast reflects her interests in energy medicine and sound healing.

Leslie’s love for travel and fascination with other cultures deeply influence her approach to life and business. She draws inspiration from the diverse people and places she encounters, fueling her passion for meaningful connections and global perspective. Known for her determination, integrity, and strong client relationships, Leslie combines her local expertise with the global reach of the Sotheby’s brand to deliver exceptional results.

When she’s not helping clients or recording podcast episodes, Leslie is a dedicated wife and mother who enjoys exploring Austin’s cultural scene and supporting causes like the Center for Child Protection.

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Sarah will be dancing with Mark McCollum.  

This is Sarah’s fifteenth year participating in DWTSA. She is a UCWDC Masters World Champion and actively travels around the country competing in American Smooth Ballroom. Sarah knows that discipline and practice equate to success and focuses on style and expression to achieve this. She loves being a part of such a wonderful event and looks forward to sharing the floor with all the talented dancers! 

Tobi will be dancing with Skylar Schanen.  

Tobi Kretschmer was born in Germany and began dancing at the age of eight. Tobi has achieved notable success as a professional dancer, choreographing for film and television and producing his own dance shows. Tobi teaches and coaches across both the United States and Europe and is widely respected as a compassionate coach and a fair, insightful judge on the competitive dance circuit. He is excited to hit the DWTSA floor this year! 

Maira will be dancing with Dr. John Tsai.  

Maira fell in love with dancing as a young girl, starting out with folklórico and regional dance in Chihuahua, Mexico, where she grew up. Maira went on to become a professional commercial dancer, dancing for several Latin music artists. It was when she moved to Austin that she fell in love with the social dance scene and began training others. Her favorite part about teaching is watching her students grow and feel more confident after every lesson. Maira is looking forward to bringing excitement and flare to the DWTSA ballroom! 

Devin will be dancing with Christol Farris.  

Growing up, Devin loved trying new things. When his mom invited him to a Cha-Cha class, he eagerly joined — despite being terrible at first. Driven by determination, he kept at it and quickly became hooked. Dance soon shaped his life, leading to both a passion and career. For over a decade, Devin has competed in American 9-Dance through Open Gold at national events, recently transitioning to country ballroom. He has spent the past three years teaching various styles, including American Smooth, American Rhythm, club, Latin, and country. Welcome back to the ballroom, Devin! 

Tristan will be dancing with Allison Ellsworth. 

Tristan’s journey in dance began at a young age, inspired by his Cuban mother, whose love of music and rhythm was the foundation for his first steps. His passion for dance quickly grew, leading him into musical theater and eventually into professional training with a major international dance franchise by age 17. Since then, Tristan has been devoted to teaching, sharing his skills with a diverse array of students. Over the years, Tristan has traveled extensively with his students, competing across the United States and internationally in destinations including Italy, Prague, and Mexico. Giving back is close to Tristan’s heart, and he’s honored to support the Center for Child Protection each year! 

Angeline will be dancing with Dr. Tejas Patel.  

From a young age, Angeline has been immersed in the world of dance. Beginning with ballet and jazz, she discovered her passion for partner dancing at 12 years old. Her early training blossomed into a deep love for country dances, leading her to compete in the country circuit as a junior. She continued her dance journey with the UT Ballroom Club where she proudly earned 2nd place at the World Championships as a freshman in high school. Angeline has dived deeply into West Coast Swing, Two Step, Country Swing, Bachata, and Salsa. She finds immense joy in teaching beginners, relishing the opportunity to share her passion and watch her students flourish. Angeline is new to DWTSA and is sure to be a force on the floor! 

Crystal will be dancing with Bruce Craig.  

Crystal Thompson is a professional country ballroom dancer with eight World Championship titles and numerous national titles to her name. A Masters-level competitor, she brings passion, precision, and heart to every performance. In addition to her competitive success, Crystal coaches and competes alongside a talented group of students who travel the world — sharing the stage, the spotlight, and the joy of dancing at the highest level. Welcome to DWTSA, Crystal! 

Nolan will be dancing with Dana Sasser.  

Nolan is a top-level competitor in the ballroom, country, and swing circuits where he has achieved multiple world titles and professional-level wins. In addition to competing, he serves as a coach for The University of Texas at Austin ballroom team, where he has helped guide students to award-winning performances at competitions across the country. Nolan is passionate about developing dancers of all levels and creating spaces where confidence, discipline, and musicality thrive. He is a DWTSA veteran and looks forward to returning to the dance floor on behalf of the Center for Child Protection! 

Eric will be dancing with Leslie Gossett Warden.  

Eric is originally from the Puget Sound area of Washington state. He started his dance journey in South Korea over 18 years ago after watching an Australian film called ‘Strictly Ballroom.’ This triggered in him a fervent desire to learn dance, particularly partner dancing. Since then, he has trained, taught, and competed in the dance world. His training has taken him from Melbourne, Australia, to Pretoria, South Africa, and all over the United States. Eric currently competes with students throughout the United States and specializes in International Standard and Latin.  This is his fifth year participating in DWTSA and he’s so excited to take the dance floor for this great cause again!