NPC SOUTHERN STATES CHAMPIONSHIPS
JUDGING PANEL
The NPC Southern States Championships have been known for having the best judging panels consisting of judges from across the country. We continue this legacy by once again having a full panel of IFBB PRO LEAGUE Judges. Even more special is that three of our judges have sat on the MR. OLYMPIA and ARNOLD CLASSIC judging panels.
Unlike a Regional NPC judge, these judges have been around for many years, are highly trained & respected, have been on Professional Shows, and know the physique of a Pro Athlete. This is a plus for our competitors as they will be evaluated at a higher standard than a normal judging panel.
If you plan on one day going pro or wish to improve your on stage package these judges will be a massive asset to your journey. Their evaluations and critiques can correct your on stage presentation/posing/package and this could prove to be the change needed to win and go pro!
In addition, these are many of the judges that you will be in front of at NPC National Shows. Sometimes all it takes is to make a good impression here at the Southern States Championships to be remembered when you are seen again on the big stage.
Let’s meet this year’s judging panel!
Past Judges
BUBBY LUPO | NEW ORLEANS, LA
NPC Louisiana Chairman | 2020 – Current
IFBB Pro League Judge | – Current
Olympia Amateur Judge |
NPC National Judge | – Current
NPC Regional Judge | 1990 – Current
About:
Bubby will be travelling to South Florida from New Orleans Louisiana where he is the state Chairman. He started in the bodybuilding started in the industry in 1990 so this will be his 34th year in the NPC/IFBB Professional League.
Southern States Memory:
2024 will be his first year judging the show, however he has come to watch in the past when, in the early 90’s, he and a bunch of friends drove 19 hours from New Orleans to Miami see the country’s top bodybuilders in person!
Southern States Judge:
2024
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2021 – Current
NPC National Judge | 2016 – Current
NPC Regional Judge | 2015 – Current
About:
Luis started competing in 1997 and had much success. As an amateur competitor he was a 3x NPC USA Champion and he represented Puerto Rico at the Caribbean Antilles Championships where he placed 3rd.
He turned pro as a 212 Bodybuilder in 2011 and competed in many shows but his most memorable were: a 1st place finish at the 2017 IFBB Baltimore Masters Pro & a 7th place in 212 Bodybuilding and 2nd in Masters at the 2017 Tampa Pro.
He hung up his trunks in 2021 to persue his career as a show promoter and IFBB Professional League Judge.
Luis is also a retired Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force.
Southern States Memory:
This is his first time coming to the Southern States but he remembers hearing about the show in the early 90’s when he used to compete in Puerto Rico because the Southern States was the show that everyone from the island wanted to compete in.
Southern States Judge:
2024
TONY CURTIS | LAKE CITY, FL
North Florida Chairman | 2019 – Current
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2021 – Current
NPC National Judge |
NPC Regional Judge | 1998 – Current
About:
Tony has been a part of the Bodybuilding industry for almost 30 years now. He is owner of the health club Future Fitness.
Southern States Memory:
This will be his first time judging the show!
Southern States Judge:
2024
DR. PETER-JOHN RHODEN | MIAMI, FL
NPC Broward County Chairman | 2014 - 2019
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2009 - Current
NPC National Judge | 2004 - Current
NPC Regional Judge | 1993 - Current
Gene Massey Award Recipient | 2007
About:
Dr Pete was once an NPC competitor before he sat on a judges panel. He started to officiate in 1993 and 2019 will mark his 26th year as an NPC Official. At one time, Dr. Rhoden was the promoter of the SUPERIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. He now is the owner of his own practice, CROSS MEDICINE, where he is Dr. of Medicine and Acupuncture. He received the Alex Guerra Award in 2018.
Southern States Memory:
Dr. Peter Rhoden was awarded our prestigious Gene Massey Award for this contributions to the sport in 2007.
Southern States Judge:
2007, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
JOHN HNATYSCHAK | DELRAY BEACH, FL
Mr. Olympia Judge | - Current
IFBB Pro League Judge | - Current
NPC National Judge | - Current
About:
Hnatyschak started competing in the NPC at the age of 23 in New Jersey and competed for 12 years. In 1984 he won Nationals and the Mr. Universe. He then became a judge and has been doing so in the NPC and IFBB Pro League for over 30 years. John was also the promoter of the BLUE RIDGE CLASSIC in Virginia. He now travels the world with the IFBB Professional League.
Southern States Memory:
Guest posing for the Southern States in 1985. This will be John's sixth time judging the show.
John promotes the:
NPC/IFBB Professional League Chzld Classic | Website
Southern States Judge:
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Past Judges
TIM GARDNER | TAMPA, FL
NPC Florida & Zone III Chairman | 2019 - Current
NPC Puerto Rico Chairman | 2014 - Current
Mr. Olympia Judge | 2015 - Current
Mr. Olympia Expo Director | 2020 - Current
IFBB Pro League International Judge | 2017 - Current
IFBB Pro League Head Judge & Official | 2016 - Current
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2008 - Current
NPC National Judge | 2002 - Current
Gene Massey Award Recipient | 2000
About:
Tim Gardner competed in the NPC in Men's Bodybuilding from 1988 till 1998. Tim competed successfully in his 10 year span; collecting bodybuilding titles throughout the local, state and regional levels, while eventually cracking the top 8 in the National rankings. After retiring in 1998 he started judging and promoting shows. His first show, the HURRICANE & TYPHOON BAY has been running for over 20 years. In his "spare" time he is travelling the world as owner of TIM GARDNER PRODUCTIONS and is the MR. OLYMPIA WEEKEND Expo Director.
Southern States Memory:
"While competing in the 1998 Southern States, Emcee, Mike Katz brought my son Brett on stage during the awards ceremony. It was his 10th Birthday and it was a very special moment for both of us. This was the last show I competed in, as I retired right there in that moment." In addition, Tim was awarded our prestigious Gene Massey Award for this contributions to the sport in 2000.
TIM GARDNER PRODUCTIONS SHOWS:
NPC MEL CHANCEY CHAMPION MUSCLE CLASSIC | Website
NPC ROMPE CUELLO BORICUA MUSCLE CHAMPIONSHIPS | Website
IFBB CHICAGO PRO | IFBB CHICAGO MASTERS PRO | NPC WORLDWIDE MS. INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC WOMEN'S BODYBUILDING PRO QUALIFIER | NPC CHICAGO EXTRAVAGANZA | Website
IFBB TAMPA PRO | IFBB TAMPA MASTERS PRO | NPC TAMPA EXTRAVAGANZA | Website
IFBB SAN ANTONIO PRO | IFBB SAN ANTONIO MASTERS PRO | NPC SAN ANTONIO EXTRAVAGANZA | Website
IFBB HURRICANE PRO | IFBB HURRICANE MASTERS PRO | NPC HURRICANE BAY CHAMPIONSHIPS | Website
NPC PUERTO RICO CHAMPIONSHIPS | Website
IFBB ATLANTIC COAST PRO | IFBB ATLANTIC COAST MASTERS PRO | NPC ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS | Website
Southern States Judge:
2000, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
MAZEN ALI | BERGEN COUNTY, NJ
Mr. Olympia Judge | 2018 - Current
IFBB Pro League Head Judge | 2017 - Current
IFBB Pro League Judge | 1999 - Current
NPC Regional Judge | 1989 - Current
About:
Mazen started his career as a NPC bodybuilding competitor in 1989. He then became a judge and promoter. He has promoted five shows over the last 20 years. Currently Mazen owns Powerhouse Gym and Body Worx Hardcore Gym. Fun fact: Mazen was on the Housewives of New Jersey for eight episodes.
Southern States Memory:
This will be Mazen's first year attending the Southern States Championships.
Southern States Judge:
2019
ERNEST BEA | CHICAGO, IL
NPC Iowa Chairman |
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2004 - Current
NPC National Judge | 1994 - Current
About:
Ernest came into the NPC as a competitor in 1985. He actually won the Southern States in 1990! He then shifted his talents towards judging and promoting. He has been the Promoter for the MID-WEST OPEN for the last 20 years.
Southern States Memory:
Winning the 1990 NPC Southern States Championships as a Bodybuilder.
Southern States Judge:
2019
VINCE CRAWFORD | ATLANTA, GA
NPC Georgia Chairman | 2019 - Current
Mr. Olympia Judge | 2022
Arnold Classic Judge | 3 Times
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2018 - Current
NPC National Judge | 2015 - Current
NPC Regional Judge | 2006 - Current
About:
Vince first joined the NPC as a competitor and competed as a bodybuilder from 1995 - 2004. He then became a NPC judge in 2006 and has continued to rise in the ranks, culminating in a seat on the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic Judging Panels. He has been a NPC staple in the Georgia, and is currently the NPC Georgia Chairman.
Vince is also a judge at the DeKalb County Juvenile Court.
Southern States Memory:
Vince is a longtime Southern States Judge. He first came down in 2008 and came down to South Florida for many years. One of his favorite memories and contributions to the show was introducing Peter Potter to the state of the art (at the time) Excel Scoring sheets. This was a massive change for the show as scorekeeping was done with a calculator and carbon paper since its inception.
Southern States Judge:
2008, 2023
EILEEN GARDNER | TAMPA, FL
NPC Puerto Rico Vice-Chairman | 2014 - Current
IFBB Pro League International Judge | 2017 - Current
NPC Regional Judge | 2014 - Current
About:
Eileen started competing in the NPC in 2013. She competed to check off a goal she had on her bucket list. Eileen is now the co-promoter of Tim Gardner Productions.
Southern States Memory:
The NPC Southern States was the best judging experiences she ever had.
Southern States Judge:
2020, 2021
DAVID HERSKOVITZ | TAMPA, FL
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2019 - Current
NPC National Judge | 2018 - Current
NPC Regional Judge | 2014 - Current
About:
David competed in the NPC as an athlete from 2009-2012 before turning pro at the NPC Universe. He then competed in the IFBB Pro League in the men’s physique division from 2012-2016 before retiring from competition. Toward the tail end of his competitive career, he began judging at the local level in central Florida in 2014. He has now been judging for 5 years and is an acting head judge in the Florida Zone II district. He became an IFBB Pro League Judge in June of 2019.
Southern States Memory:
David has been an attendee to the show several times and has been a supporter since '09. He is excited to finally take part in such a historic event.
David promotes the:
IFBB Professional League St. Pete Pro & NPC St. Pete Classic | Website
Southern States Judge:
2019
FABIAN OROZCO | MIAMI, FL
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2016 - Current
NPC National Judge | 2014 - Current
NPC Regional Judge | 1999 - Current
About:
Fabian competed in the NPC from 1984 to 2011; winning several titles in his career. He has been judging competitions for the last 20 years and recently became an IFBB Pro League Judge. He now is the owner of FABIAN NUTRITION & TERROR LABZ. Over the last two years, Fabian has been helping build the Pro League in Latin America.
Southern States Memory:
Supporting the show for five years.
Southern States Judge:
2019
SERGE SARIC | POMPANO BEACH, FL
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2018 - Current
NPC National Judge | 2014 - Current
NPC Regional Judge | 2010 - Current
NPC Competitor | 2005 - 2012
About:
Born in Croatia, Serge came to the US in 1998. He came into the industry as a NPC Competitor. He competed in Men's Physique for many years until he became a judge in 2010. If he looks familiar, you may have met him behind the table as the face of NPC Wear at all the Florida Shows.
Serge is the promotor of several shows himself. Most notably the NPC & IFBB Pro League Florida Grand Prix which is also a Pro-AM.
He would like to thank his mentors Peter Potter, Dr. Peter John Rhoden, Bill Neylon, & Tim Gardner for their guidance and for teaching him the business of the NPC. Most importantly how to do things the right way and how to give athletes the highest quality experiences. He would also like to send his love to his two favorite people Mariane and Isa.
Southern States Memory:
One of his favorite memories is when he competed in Men's Physique at the Southern States in . He placed 10th but it was such a funny year for Men's Physique. Jeans, large Texas-sized belts & Cowboy hats covered the stage as the then new division figured itself out. (See below)
Southern States Judge:
2019
DENNIS "DEKE" WARNER | ORLANDO, FL
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2018 - Current
NPC National Judge | 2015 - Current
NPC Regional Judge | 1990 - Current
Gene Massey Award Recipient | 2020
About:
Deke's NPC journey started in 1981 after being sidelined with a football injury. He competed as a bodybuilder and always looked up to Mike Ashley as his inspiration. After his on stage days came to an end Deke became a judge and started promoting as well. He has been the promoter of the NPC Mid-Florida for the last 25 years and the promoter of the NPC Florida State for 12 years now.
Southern States Memory:
Deke competed in the Southern States in 1998. He was the oldest HeavyWeight winner than year at the age of 35. Also competing that year were Flex Wheeler and Shawn Ray. Deke started judging at the Southern States in the late 80's and has been a regular on the judging panel.
Southern States Judge:
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023