The Fur Circus Story

Rob Montepare

Birthplace: Troy, NY

Resides: Atlanta, GA

Big Top Stops: Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL), Gwinnett Braves (MiLB), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Kansas City Royals (MLB)

Out of the Ring: When he's not working, Rob enjoys spending time with his wife, Danielle, and relaxing with friends and family…especially his yellow lab, "Bauer."

Did you know? Rob has broken up a fight or two as a professional hockey referee in the ECHL, CHL, and SPHL.

"Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages...": I'm really excited to bring two years of hard work to life and offer an entertainment option that is a true experience and is fun for all ages.

Jeff Childers

Birthplace: Atlanta, GA

Resides: Atlanta, GA

Big Top Stops: Atlanta Thrashers (NHL), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta Dream (WNBA), Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Mascot Company

Out of the Ring: Jeff has one daughter with his wife, Mandy.

Did you know? His professional sports career began with the Atlanta Thrashers (NHL) in Community Relations conducting camps, clinics, promotions and community events.

"Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages...": I am very excited to bring several years of experience to The Fur Circus - making people all ages laugh!

Leighton Condell

Birthplace: Laurelton Queens NY

Resides: Lithonia GA

Big Top Stops: Harlem Globetrotters, Universoul Circus, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, PSL, AFL, NCAA, Jimmy Buffett Tour, AT&T Sports, Ace High Marketing, 1996 Olympics.

Out of the Ring: Leighton is avid sub-par, if not worst, golfer (But in his mind is AWESOME!!) and he lives his life everyday like it's his last.

Did you know? owns and operates Ace High Marketing LLC a promotion staffing agency. Oh yeah, and he has four Chihauhuas.

"Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages...": All I have to say is sit back, fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride, because The Fur Circus is coming through!

James Wood

Birthplace: Raleigh, NC

Resides: Atlanta, GA

Big Top Stops: North Carolina State University (NCAA), Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), Carolina Cobras (AFL), Durham Bulls (MiLB), Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)

Out of the Ring: James is active in various sports and volunteers his time with local youth organizations whenever possible.

Did you know? James was an integral part of the largest professional sports viral publicity stunt involving a mascot while performing with the Atlanta Thrashers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages...": Driven by the goal of becoming the most exciting and seat-filling entertainment act, we have assembled a group of the most enthusiastic and creative minds in this industry.

Jonathan Nation

Birthplace: Ringgold, GA

Resides: Atlanta, GA

Big Top Stops: Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL), Gwinnett Braves (MiLB), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)

Out of the Ring: Jonathan plays a lot of tennis and makes frequent trips to visit his family in northwest Georgia.

Did you know? Jonathan is a Drum Corps Coordinator for Quest Atlanta.

"Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages...": I am eager to get this Circus train on the tracks so we can start making people laugh at our 'death defying' stunts.

Jeremy Legg

Birthplace: Franklin, TN

Resides: Atlanta, GA

Big Top Stops: Auburn University (NCAA), Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Dream (WNBA), Georgia Force (AFL), Atlanta Mascot Productions

Out of the Ring: Jeremy has two sons with his wife, Whitney.

Did you know? In 2005, Jeremy started Atlanta Mascot Productions. Also, while he was at Auburn, "Aubie" was the 2003 UCA National Mascot Champion.

"Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages..." I am excited to bring laughter and joy to so many different people with The Fur Circus. It is truly a show that everyone can enjoy.

Melvin Banks

Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA

Resides: Atlanta, GA

Big Top Stops: Atlanta Thrashers (NHL), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Six Flags over Georgia

Out of the Ring: Melvin enjoys traveling, especially back to California to visit his family.

Did you know? Melvin helped start two theatre programs in Atlanta - one at Booker T. Washington High School and another at a local Boys and Girls Club.

"Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages..." I'm excited to work with several of my colleagues to bring something very unique to life. We're creating an experience that has not been done before.

Tom Sapp

President, Real Characters, Inc.

Tom Sapp has spent a lifetime creating stories -- through print ads, TV commercials, characters and costumes. He worked as a Creative Director on international advertising accounts with McCann-Erickson, Burton-Campbell and Ross Roy before founding his own agency, Real Characters, Inc. in 1988. Tom's studio is multidisciplinary, specializing in character design and mascot development, as well as graphics and advertising services. A unique asset he brings to character design is his thinking as a full-service marketer; his ability to roll the character into graphics, promotional, toys and plush, clothing, specialty items and activity books. Tom writes a background story for his characters – a fable of sorts – that brings the mascot to life with a personality, not just a "look".

Tom's greatest joy in his work is watching the faces of children (and adults!) light up when they are captured by the magic of a mascot. In the development stage, Tom considers how the character will make them feel, whether they can relate to it, how the costume and audience will interact, and how it will translate onto the printed page, into toys, hats, t-shirts, and animated TV. Tom's characters include many college and professional sports mascots, corporate characters, and educational characters for non-profit and U.S. government programs. Two of Tom's designs have been inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame ( Sparty for Michigam State and YouDee for the University of Delaware ). He also created Unitus for the Goodwill Games, and was honored to be a finalist in the Atlanta Olympic mascot design search.

Tom is a 1969 graduate of the University of Georgia. He designed Hairy Dawg while he was a student in the art school's advertising and design program. The first costume was constructed in 1980 prior to the national championship game with Notre Dame. Hairy is the cornerstome of Real Characters, Inc. which now has over 100 characters in various venues across the country.