Mayme Baker

While it can be daunting to capture interior designer and artist Mayme Baker's multi-faceted spirit in a few words - we'll give it a try!  

Mayme possesses a unique talent and a keen eye for the aesthetic. Her designs are crafted from the ground up - each element wittily layered upon the next to intuitively produce thoughtful, artful, fresh takes on traditional interiors.  Her paintings are bits and pieces of her heart and soul poured out onto canvas, cardboard, masonite or whatever's handy!  It has been said that God is in the details. Mayme Baker couldn't agree more.

Her fascination with the "little things" began at an early age in Birmingham, Alabama, where she fashioned "rooms" from discarded shoe boxes, scraps of her mother's fabrics and shredded Architectural Digest magazines.  This obsession with decorative delights blossomed into her life's work. Indeed, it IS the little things that make living so grand!  

Based in her beautiful, recently renovated Cleveland Street studio, Mayme can be found most days buzzing around the shop or upstairs painting in her rooftop pagoda.  Wherever she is, her mind is going a mile a minute and she's having a good time!

Mayme Baker will be dancing with Dmytro Naumov of Fred Astaire Dance Studio

James "BoBo" Eason

James "Bobo" Eason Jr., 61 year old owner of Body By Bobo Fitness Center in Greenville is a USA National and World bodybuilding champion. "Bobo" Eason brings more than 30 years of personal training experience to Greenville and was voted Best Personal Trainer in the Upstate in 1996-1998. His proficiency in weight loss, fitness, and strength training enables him to provide a variety of services to meet any fitness need.
"Bobo" is AFPA (American Fitness Professionals & Associates) and NFPT (National Federation of Personal Trainers) certified and sits on the Board of Directors of the SC Body Building Association.

BoBo Eason will be dancing with Maryna Ferris of Fred Astaire Dance Studio

Christy Henderson

Christy Henderson is the Chief Meteorologist for 7 On Your Side's Storm Team. She joined WSPA in 2003 and oversees all Storm Team 7 forecasts and on-air weather presentations. She can be seen on 7 On Your Side at 5, 5:30 6PM and 7 PM as well as on News Channel 7 at 10 on CW and 7 On Your Side at 11:00. In addition to her television duties, she also forecasts the weather for radio and the Spartanburg Herald Journal. You can read her weekly weather column called "Christy's Kid Corner" in Wednesday's edition of the HJ.

Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Christy attended Texas A&M University and earned a B.S. degree in Meteorology in 1995. She began working in television upon graduating.

Christy enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters, Kathryn and Sarah. During the week when the weather's nice, Christy is pursuing a private pilot's license. At home, Pepper, the family dog, keeps the family time exciting! In her spare time - and there's not much of it - Christy also enjoys cooking, traveling and playing soccer.

Christy was named South Carolina Broadcaster’s Association Weathercaster of the Year in 2005, 2007 and 2009 and was runner up for this award in 2006 and 2008.

Jeni Kleckley

Jeni Kleckley is the manager at Monkees of the Westend, a women's boutique which specializes in apparel, shoes and accessories. Jeni's flair for fashion started very early. Much to her mother's dismay, at the age of 3, Jeni began to dress herself! A Greenville native, she graduated from Greenville High and headed off to Wofford College. There Jeni earned a Bachelors of Arts in Art History. It was during her senior year at Wofford that Jeni found herself working part time at Monkees. Jeni began managing the store in May 2008, and has never looked back. The store is her passion, which makes it a joy for her to get up and go to work every day. Jeni loves that she gets to play dress up with people all day. Jeni believes that the true essence of her job is that she gets to make women feel great about themselves on the inside while making them stylish on the outside!

If Jeni isn't at the store, she is more than likely running, cycling or sipping on a glass of wine. In addition, Jeni enjoys spending time with her friends, family and her beagle named Elvis.

Jeni Kleckley will be dancing with Cesar Jaramillos of Jaramillos Latin Dance 

Bo Knapp

Bo Knapp moved to Greenville in 1992 to develop the territory he acquired for the then new concept of Papa John's Pizza. He is originally a CPA from Arkansas, but had worked in Japan for many years prior to this for Pepsi. His company built and owns the Papa John's restaurants in the Upstate SC, Asheville, NC and the province of Alberta, Canada. Papa John's is very active in the community with a focus on promoting education.His company won the Greenville Better Business Bureaus' Integrity Award in 2009 and was Papa John's Pizza's "National Franchisee of the Year" in 2011. Bo is most proud of his two sons Austin and John and his daughter-in-law Mary Frances and hopes his two left feet do not embarrass them too much.

Bo Knapp will be dancing with Katherine Wicker of Fred Astaire Dance Studio

Tim McKinney

Timothy J. McKinney is the President-Owner of Mckinney Automotive LLC. Tim is
48 years old and a native of Charleston WV. He began his Auto career in 1976 at Car City Motors at the age of 13 washing/detailing cars for a Multi Dealer Franchise and Independent operator. Tim worked after school, evenings, and weekends for 5 straight years thru Jr and Sr High schools. At age 18, Tim began selling cars for White Dodge, Inc in Charleston WV as he entered college. He completed his undergrad at WVSU in 1987 while working full time in the Sales Dept. Tim moved to the Upstate in December 1997 and opened McKinney Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Inc in Jan 1998. Acquired McKinney Mazda in 2004 to complete his home platform in Easley SC.
 
Tim is a member of NADA DEAC President's Club, NADA Member, SCADA Member, NIADA Member, Poinsett Club Member, Greenville Country Club, The Cliffs as well as a member of AOPA and the Bonanza Society. Tim is a member of First Presbyterian Church, and is very active in the philanthropic community in Greenville, SC

Tim McKinney will be dancing with Misty Renfro-Childs of Fred Astaire Dance Studio

Valerie Miller

Valerie Miller is a top producing real estate agent for the Marchant Company, and represents many of Greenville’s finest properties.

Valerie brings to real estate her extensive business experience as an owner/operator of Budget Rent-A-Car franchises and her experience as an owner and investor in real estate. In the rent-a-car industry, she served in leadership roles on the local, state, and national board of directors. She also became a consultant, professional speaker, and author. Her book, Rediscovering the Customer, is based on her experience in the intensely competitive car rental industry. She wrote the manual, Management's Role in Customer C.A.R.E. that was the text used in the training seminars she presented for management throughout the U.S. and Canadian locations of Budget Rent-A-Car.
  
Valerie is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma. She has two adult sons and five grandsons. In addition, Valerie is well-known in the Upstate because of her community service. She has served in leadership positions with the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Greenville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Urban League, St. Francis Hospital, Better Business Bureau, Greenville Tech, Greenville County Schools, Upstate Visual Arts, and Greenville Little Theatre. In 1988 she was named the Greenville Chamber's Small Business Person of the Year. Currently she is a commissioner on the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Commission.

Valerie is dancing with Raoul Weinstein.

Lizz Ryals

Lizz started life in Colombus, Ohio but knew she was a southerner at heart (thanks to Dad being from Greer). So at the tender age of 5 weeks, she moved her family back to the Upstate and has been here ever since. Lizz is happily married with 3 kids ages 9, 10 and 20.

Lizz has been with Clear Channel and MY 102.5 for going on 10 years and has been in Upstate radio for the past 24 years. She emcees many charitable events around the Upstate including an organization close to her heart, Hospice of the Upstate. Lizz thinks it’s very important to pass along a love of volunteering to her own children, and each year her family serves and prepares meals for the hungry on Thanksgiving day with Feed the Community in Spartanburg.

Lizz also enjoys local theatre and has performed in several shows with the Greer Cultural Arts Council and is planning to act as often as she can - once the kids are raised!

Louie Sagedy

Louie Sagedy is proud to make his dancing debut to support Senior Action. Prior dance experience exists only in doing Mick Jagger impersonations!

Louie Sagedy is a local musician and actor, having performed in the Greenville area for over 25 years. He performs as both a solo artist and as the lead singer for the rock band Vinyl. Louie has performed in countless local venues such as the Peace Center, the Greenville Drive Stadium and Nosedive as well as festivals including Downtown Alive, Artisphere and Euphoria.

As an actor, Louie has performed in numerous shows mainly with Centre Stage SC, the Greenville Little Theater and the SC Childrens' Theater. Favorite roles include the Tinman in the "Wizard of Oz," Adam in "Children of Eden," and Norman Petty in "The Buddy Holly Story". Louie was last seen in Centre Stages "Rock and Roll Yule" show.

Louie has been a financial professional for most of his career having served as a private banker, investment adviser and protection strategist. He is employed with The Parkway Financial Group in Greenville. Louie focuses on analyzing and implementing financial protection strategies for his clients and their families. He takes great pride in having served a large number of families in the area.

Louie has been involved with many local charities having served as a board member with the Meyer Center, the Greenville Literacy Association and Centre Stage. He has also been active in numerous positions with the United Way and the Alliance for Quality Education. Louie served two terms as Board Chair and Treasurer for the Meyer Center, two terms as Treasurer for The Greenville Literacy Association and two terms as Board Chair for Centre Stage SC!

Louie Sagedy will be dancing with Anna Stankiewicz of West End Dance Co.

Jerry Wesley

Returning to his hometown of Greenville after more than a decade living in Houston, Texas, is enough to make Jerry Wesley want to dance in the streets with the pleasure of finding himself back on native soil. As a compromise, though, he's looking forward to Dancing with the Carolina Stars on behalf of Senior Action and in honor of his late Mom, Beverly Wesley, known for her motto, "Just Living It Up." The youngest of her six children, Jerry is glad to have the opportunity to follow in her footsteps among her friends. When he's not working on his dancing skills and re-acquainting himself with the many wonderful aspects of Greenville that he missed for far too long, Jerry's real estate firm, W Properties, takes up much of his time. At 45, he happily boasts of two children, Jena and Chris, and is also actively involved in working with the Ronald McDonald Charities that return so much to our community members in need. This will be Jerry's first time dancing in front of an audience; he acknowledges that any successful smooth moves may be credited to his partner, but his joy in the opportunity to dance reflects entirely on his Mom.

Claudia Wise

Claudia Wise relocated to Greenville in 2006 and became manager of Small Business for the Greenville Chamber in 2007.  Moving from St. Michaels, Maryland and having spent 15 years on the waters of Key West, Fl, Bahamas and the Chesapeake in the resort and hospitality industry, Greenville has become the hometown she's always dreamed of living.  A native of Richmond, Virginia, Claudia graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications. She is married to Bruce Wise, General Manager of Larkin's on the River and together they have two daughters, Alden and Lilly Jo. Claudia is an avid marathon runner and cancer survivor. 

Claudia is a proud member of the Greenville Community, involved on the board of the Stone Academy PTA, the Upstate Junior Achievement Board, the Moonlight and Magnolias gala event committee to benefit the American Cancer Society, the 2013 Rose Ball marketing committee, and is currently enrolled in Leadership Greenville Class 39. She has also been active in Euphoria (2006-2011) and Tedx Greenville (2009-2010) and has served in many volunteer roles for events throughout the community.

Claudia Wise will be dancing with Ihor Pylyay of Fred Astaire Dance Studio