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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Jeff Tanglewood—Judge
In 1979, Jeff walked into a Greensboro disco and for the first time saw a man wearing leather outside of a work environment. Working on his family farm, he’d been around leather and knew he loved it, but this was different. Here was a gay man, in a bar, wearing leather. Daddy David became his first mentor, and learning from him changed Jeff’s life.
That was 46 years ago. Life and leather have taken Jeff through 43 states and 11 countries. Jeff has been part of The Charlotte Tradesmen since 1999, becoming a full member in 2001. He’s served in several offices, helped plan many bar nights and weekend Runs, and helped the Tradesmen raise more than $100,000 in cash and gifts for their primary charity, House of Mercy, the local HIV/AIDS resource center.
Through leather, Jeff has made connections in many states with many people. He is excited to have been patched as Mr NC Leather 2025 and is enjoying travelling the Carolinas as an ambassador and mentor to the leather community. He is looking forward to competing at SELF 2026.
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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.