Meet the Contest of Champions Team
Decades of dance, drill team, and event experience go into every Contest of Champions. Meet the people who bring the premier dance nationals to life at Universal Orlando Resort.
LAURA DAVIS
DANCE CONTEST DIRECTOR
Laura is from Dallas, Texas, and has been active in the field of dance/drill team since the early ’70s. She has served as the Event Producer for Contest of Champions since 2000. Laura is currently the owner of Spirit of America Productions, which provides performance opportunities for cheerleaders and dancers in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She is a former Executive Director and Owner of Starmakers Dance & Performance Camps. Laura attended Kilgore College, earning an Associate of Arts degree while performing as a Rangerette Lieutenant and Swingster. She completed her degree in Dance at North Texas State University and earned her Master’s degree in Physical Education at the University of Texas at Tyler. Laura is a former Director of the South Garland High School Southern Belles and later served as Assistant Director and Choreographer of the Kilgore College Rangerettes. She was an instructor for N.C.A. SUPERSTAR for 16 years, ultimately serving in the office as Curriculum Coordinator. She has also choreographed numerous bowl game pre-game and halftime shows, including the Aloha Bowl and Cotton Bowl, and has had extensive choreographic involvement in the dance productions coordinated by Mike Miller & Associates and, since 1986, with Spirit of America Productions as part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Laura has served as 1st Vice President and Sergeant at Arms for the Dance Drill Team Directors of America, is a former President of the Rangerettes Forever alumni organization, and is a Texas Dance Educators Association Hall of Fame recipient.
LEANNE MENDEZ
Assistant Dance Contest Director
Leanne is from the Dallas/Fort Worth area and has been devoted to the dance/drill team industry for over 25 years. In her early years as an educator and dance teacher, she taught various dance styles in multiple dance studios and served as the Director of several high school varsity dance teams as well as middle school dance programs. Leanne is a former Senior Staff Member of Starmakers Dance and Performance Camps. She acts as a consultant to a number of dance teams across the North Texas area, providing professional music editing, choreography, and judging services. She also travels across the country as an adjudicator for countless dance/drill team companies at their regional and national competitions, including dance/drill, studio, and All-Star dance. In addition to her notable dance experience, Leanne prides herself on an extensive background in mathematics and education. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Mathematics and Natural Science from The University of Texas at Dallas and her Master’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education from The University of Texas at Austin. After 20 years teaching Advanced Placement and Honors Mathematics courses, she recently left the classroom. Leanne is now a personal and family travel advisor, as well as a veteran staff member and Event Associate for Spirit of America Productions.
Peggy Hoyt
EVENT PRODUCER/
MANAGER
MANAGER
Peggy began her career with Contest of Champions and Four Seasons Tours in 1995. Over the next eight years she facilitated event and travel packages to over 225 student groups annually. In 2002, new opportunities brought her and her family to Tampa, Florida where she continued to work in sales and customer service. In 2014 Peggy brought her energetic fun-loving personality back to Contest of Champions and remains deeply committed to providing superior customer service to all her clients. Her extensive knowledge, upbeat attitude and dedication will make the planning and execution of your next event a positive experience for you and your team. She is looking forward to making your experience an unforgettable success!
Kari Land
EVENT PRODUCER &
SALES COORDINATOR
SALES COORDINATOR
Kari graduated from the University of Central Florida in the fall of 2014 and joined Contest of Champions shortly after. With cheerleading and dance a major part of her life, she was thrilled to begin working with teams to make this competition one they will never forget. Kari has cheered and danced her entire life and is currently the head cheerleading coach at her alma mater, Ocoee High School. Months after graduating from high school in 2009, she began dancing with the NBA’s Orlando Magic Dancers and was also a member of their Dunking Dancers performance team. She went on to cheer on the sidelines with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders, which gave her the opportunity to travel and perform on shows such as Good Morning America. Having experienced firsthand the passion and hard work this talent requires, Kari truly believes she can help every team make memories that will last a lifetime.
Brittani Mulford
EVENT PRODUCER &
SALES COORDINATOR
SALES COORDINATOR
Brittani graduated from the International Academy of Design and Technology in Tampa, Florida where she studied Fashion Merchandising and Retail Marketing. She started ballet classes when she was five years old at the Elizabeth Parson Dance Studio in Windermere, Florida. Shortly after, Brittani found her passion when she joined Pop Warner cheerleading. In the years to come she took her talents to the All-Star and High School Cheer level. After graduating high school, she decided to continue her passion by trying out for the UCA Staff with whom she spent her summers traveling around teaching cheer and stunt camps. Brittani has also had the privilege of coaching at the high school she once graduated from. Brittani believes her passion for cheerleading and many years of experience in the cheer and dance world will allow her to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of the teams she has the privilege to work with.
Tim Dye Jr.
EVENT PRODUCER &
SALES COORDINATOR
SALES COORDINATOR
Tim Dye Jr., a Central Florida native, is a Belmont Abbey College graduate with a degree in Sports Management. He began his career with the Miami Dolphins, gaining valuable experience in professional sports management before eventually transitioning into student group travel. Since 2008, he has been involved with Contest of Champions, officially joining full-time in April 2024. While he does not have a dance background, his expertise in event operations and logistics ensures every competition runs smoothly. Tim lives in Hillsborough, NC, with his wife, Taylor, his stepdaughter, Lexie, his son, Brooks & daughter, Ella. He is passionate and dedicated to creating exceptional experiences on the competition floor and in the theme parks for every dance team.
