2019 JUDGES

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.

​Over 100 sold out concerts across three continents, from Caesars Palace to the Apollo Theater and all points in between. A debut CD from a Grammy winning producer that hit the top of the Billboard charts. And it all started in a very small town with a man who possessed a big dream and an even bigger voice. When Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. showed up to audition for NBC TV’s America’s Got Talent in 2010, he was singing to pass the time while grinding out a living washing cars in his hometown of Logan, WV and the only “nice” clothes he owned were the ones on his back: a pair of jeans, a modest button down striped shirt and jacket.
 
Fortunately, you don’t need a slick wardrobe to win America’s heart. You need talent and personality, and Landau has a great deal of both. Wowing the judges, Landau walked away with the million-dollar grand prize in front of 14 million weekly viewers. But all of his success hasn’t made Landau forget his roots. He was born in the Mountain State of West Virginia and continues to live there rather than move to entertainment industry hubs like Los Angeles or New York. And, yes, he still sings while he washes cars. But now, that car belongs to Landau.

Margaret O'Neal

​Margaret Ann O'Neal is a native West Virginian. Margaret’s nonprofit career began with Hospice of Southern WV.  During her time with Hospice she helped raise nearly three million dollars to build the Bowers Hospice House.  She moved from Hospice to United Way of Southern WV in 2008. While there, she launched Dancing with the Stars for Southern West Virginia, the first in the state, which now raises over $200,000 for the United Way.

​In August 2017, she accepted the position President of United Way of Central West Virginia. Margaret and her husband Greg reside in Kanawha City with two cats.

Teresa Sestito

Teresa is a native of Fairmont. While attending Fairmont State University, she discovered her passion for ballroom dance. She competed on the ballroom dance team and served as President of the ballroom dance club. In 2011, she became an adjunct faculty member at Pierpont Community and Technical College teaching ballroom dance. Teresa also coaches the FSU and PC&TC ballroom dance team. Recently, Teresa started Wild & Wonderful Ballroom LLC with the goal of sharing ballroom dance to the Fairmont community.

​Teresa choreographed for Dancing with the Stars for the first six seasons. She has won both a People's Choice Mirror Ball and a Judge's Choice Mirror Ball.