Mr NC Triangle Leather is proud to introduce our Judges and Staff
Bruce Marsh Owner and Producer
Bruce has been a member of the Leather Community for over 25 years. He was a founding member of the one time leather clun Highland LLC out of Fayetteville NC. Bruce is the owner of CREWZ Leather and prides himself on supporting the community. He and his shop sponsor up and coming members of the community
Robert Bess C0-Producer
Back in 1999, Robert began his journey into the leather scene while living in Raleigh. His first partner introduced and guided him, and what really struck him was the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere, which was unlike anything he had known before.
After relocating to Ohio, he immersed himself in the community and was drawn to its strong sense of camaraderie and the impactful charity work it undertook. Seeking to play a larger role in fundraising, he decided to compete for local leather titles, starting with Mr. Crossover, then Mr. Cleveland Leather, and ultimately competing at IML in 2006.
But Robert's journey didn't stop there. Driven by a desire to give back, he co-founded the Ohio Boys of Leather to further support the community.
After dedicating several years to prioritizing his sobriety, Robert stepped back into the leather community with renewed enthusiasm, inspired by his boy who embarked on a leather journey in Virginia. Now residing in Raleigh, Robert is thrilled to reconnect with his community, feeling a strong sense of belonging once again. He looks forward to providing guidance and mentorship to newcomers.
To everyone reading this, he challenges you: find a way to give back. We're more than just a group with a shared interest; we're here to foster community and to make a real positive impact in it.
​Steven Crespo Judge Steven Crespo is Mr. Eagle Wilton Manors 2024 and IML 2024 first runner up. He's native of Puerto Rico, now living in Fort Lauderdale, he's a clinical genetics scientist and a natural competitive bodybuilder. His leather journey began over 20 years ago and enjoys multiple kinks, like fisting, water sports, BDSM, CBT, pits, but electro really sparks his interest! Steven takes active part of Fort Lauderdale Leather family dinner socials, Leather Cocktails nights, the Fort Lauderdale Cigar Men Club, and the organizer of the Florida Leather Pride Walk in Wilton Manors. Steven's signature fundraiser is his annual chili cook-off, and volunteers for local LGBTQ+ organizations, and team leader for the Florida AIDS walk. He's creating fetish awareness and education to the local LatinX community as a proud representative of his Latino heritage in the Leather and fetish community. Steven believes that visibility and representation matters even in non-fetish circles.
Hardy Haberman Judge Since the mid-70′s Hardy has been an active in the leather community as a gay activist, author & speaker on aspects of the SM/Leather scene. “ “He is author of several books including, Playing with the Family Jewels, Soul of a Second Skin and Shouts in the Wilderness as well as a contributor to the Dallas Voice newspaper and Drummer Magazine His documentary on the leather lifestyle “LEATHER” has won numerous awards and appeared in festivals around the world. “ “The recipient of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Leather Leadership Award, he was also awarded NLAI’s Man Of The Year award in 1999 and in 2007 he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Leather Association International. His other awards include the Marcus Hernandez Lifetime Achievement Award from Pantheon of leather and the Jack McGeorge Educator Award from MsC.. “ “Hardy is Chair of the board of the Woodhull Action Fund in Washington, DC. Since April, 1995, he and his boy Patrick have been living together in Dallas.
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SIR TOM MATT Judge- Don’t let his looks fool you. SIR Tom Matt harkens back before the days of flagging, before the internet and way before the apps. Back in the days dildos were carved out of stone, when cruising was a skill, communications was an art, the sex was wild and uninhibited. SIR Tom has been out 56 years and was brought up in Old Guard traditions although he has always through of himself as a progressive. He is known for his active lobbying of the APA to remove homosexuality from the DSM and was present for their record vote in 1973 to eliminate homosexuality from being considered a mental disorder. His advocacies continued thru the AIDS epidemic and he played a major role in the 1993 March on Washington and other countless movements. SIR Tom is well known for his philanthropy to our community and his support of historic preservation, trauma recovery, GLAD Law and the Human Rights Campaign Fund.
Today he refuses to slow down. Besides being a past state and regional titleholder, SIR Tom was 1st runner up at MAL and placed 26th at IML. Additionally he held the title of Atlantic States Leather SiR and holds a International Leather SIR title in a now defunct (thanks to covid) leather circuit. In addition he has appeared in two leather fundraising calendars and champions two HIV stigma projects. He is also a ardent supporter of women in leather, pups, bi’s, trans, and POC in our community. Despite several horrific acts of violence against him because of his community advocacy, SIR Tom is not about to give up the struggle for equal rights for EVERYONE. Particularly not in the current political climate.
SIR Tom is a five time member of the Mile High Club and has travelled the world spreading his DNA in 27 different countries. SIR Tom has now been clean and sober 22 years and is a long-term HIV survivor. Professionally SIR Tom has been everything from a vers porn actor (1972-79; 8mm before sound, 1985 VHS days and from 2021 to date) to a Behavioral Research Scientist for the CDC for 30 years. While now retired in a suburb of Ft Lauderdale, SIR Tom spends his time running the porn production studio he founded (Sir Tom Productions with 50 porn models to the firms roster). SIR Tom has been widowed from a 38 year relationship since 2017 but has a happy chosen family of two boys, a protégée title holder, he is also Dad to his Son and as a trauma survivor himself, SIR Tom is devoted to his service animal Victor the wonder dog.
When interviewed as the first Historian at the Leather History Preservation Weekend, SIR Tom was asked if he could sum up his eventful life. His statement was simple: We make a living by what we earn. We make a life by what we give.
Jason Elliott Judge "A lifelong Virginian, Jason Elliott (He/Him) calls Charlottesville home. He is Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2025 and a former Mr. Virginia Leather. Known to many as "The Smiling Sir," Jason wears his heart on his sleeve, advocating for expression and emotion within the leather community - Y'all keep that leather heart beating!
He is the Founder and Executive Director of Out and About, an LGBTQ+ empowerment organization which also hosts Charlottesville's Gear Nights and leather events. Jason is passionate about public health and with nearly 15 years of professional HIV prevention and sexual health education under his belt, travels extensively guest lecturing and educating throughout the country.
In his spare time, Jason enjoys hot tea, heartfelt hugs, spicy pork rinds (here, piggy piggies!), and having way too many houseplants. He's usually flagging orange on the right, but when the vibes are vibing..."
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Richard Smoot Judge, Mr. NC Triangle Leather 2024 and a contestant for MAL 2025, began his leather journey inspired by the inclusivity and warmth he experienced at the Mr. NC Triangle Leather 2023 event. Embracing the leather community as his home, he proudly belongs to Sir Tom’s leather family.
A father of two adult children, Richard spent decades as a quintessential suburban dad, punctuated by clandestine visits to the DC Eagle. Now, he operates a cozy inn in Washington, North Carolina, and regularly appears as “Go-Go Dad” at Flex Night Club Raleigh. Under the stage name Todd Fellow, Richard also produces adult content featured on Nasty Daddy, Hot Older Male, and House of Angel platforms.