Owner and Founder of ACE Cheer Company of Mississippi. As a graduate of the University of South Mississippi and with over 16 years of cheer and dance experience at both the high school and collegiate level, Brandon joined Cheryl Farris in 2001 to begin South Mississippi Elite All-Stars, which became the largest All-Star cheer and dance program in Mississippi. In 2012, Brandon Roberts became an owner of ACE Cheer Company and merged South Mississippi Elite into the Tribe family as ACE of Mississippi. Brandon has coached and choreographed High School and All-Star teams throughout Southeast to many National Championships. With a knack for choreography, tumbling and vision, Brandon takes every moment as a blank canvas that he gets to put his paint his mark.

As a graduate of the University of South Mississippi and with over 40 years of cheer and dance experience at both the high school and collegiate level, Cheryl established South Mississippi All-Stars in 2001, which has became the largest All-Star cheer and dance program in South Mississippi. After joining forces with Mr. Brandon Roberts in 2003 South Mississippi Elite went on to win over 100 All-star National Championships in both cheer and dance. In 2012, South Mississippi Elite became ACE Cheer Company of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Cheryl has coached and choreographed High School and All-Star teams throughout Mississippi to many National Championships. Cheryl has traveled across the United States judging for several different cheer events both regionally and nationally including Athletic Championships, Cheersport, Varsity Brands, Jam Brands, Mississippi High School and Private School Athletic Associations. She is involved with ACE cheer company of Hattiesburg in multiple capacities.

Melissa Winakor is our Hattiesburg Business Director. She has been in the cheerleading and dance industry for 28 years, and has been with our company since 2011. Melissa has coached numerous teams and tumbling classes here in the past and started our first dance program with South Mississippi Elite running from 2011-2016. She has over 15 years of Business and Administrative experience and currently focuses solely on the business, management and growth of ACE Cheer Company of Hattiesburg. Melissa is our primary billing and enrollment contact for our location.

Regina Sims studied Marketing and Business Management at JCJC and she has nearly twenty years of experience in Financial and Business Administration. She currently serves as Office Manager assisting in the business and management of the gym.

Hi, my name is Alexis! You and your kids probably know me as that red headed lady at the front desk! I have worked at ACE of Hattiesburg since the summer of 2019 when I moved to Hattiesburg to attend college at William Carey University where I graduated with Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Microbiology. In addition to working at Ace, I’m also a full time Research Assistant in Neurology at Hattiesburg Clinic. While I haven’t cheered since I was a young teenager, I’ve been in the cheer world virtually my entire life. ACE is a family affair where I’m concerned, with both my older and younger sister having been apart of the Ace family as staff and an athlete. One of the most important aspects for me about working at ACE Cheer Company of Hattiesburg is the safe environment it provides for so many children. Whether I’m working the desk, supervising birthday parties or Fun Gym Fridays, I love being a part of a company that fosters your child’s need to be a kid in a safe and comfortable way.

Brittany has more than 13 years of experience beginning as a high school cheerleader at Seminary High School. In 2007, Brittany graduated from high school and was offered a scholarship to cheer for Jones County Junior College. During Brittany’s sophomore year at JCJC, she received the Bobcat Award and the “J” award for leadership and academics. Brittany also cheered at Hub City All-Stars for 2 years while enrolled as a full time student and cheerleader at JCJC. After junior college, Brittany attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She currently coaches Admirals and is part of the birthday party staff at ACE. During the day Brittany works at OGMS teaching 6th grade math.

My name is Garrette Burnette(Coach G). I’ve been apart of competitive cheerleading my entire life since my father owned a gym. I competed in All-Stars for 8 years, then went on to cheer at Jones College and Mississippi State University where I also competed at UCA college nationals. I’ve been coaching for 14 years and it’s a passion of mine to help kids progress in this sport and make a positive impact in their lives. Glad to be apart of the ACE of Hattiesburg Family.

Gaston Swords is excited to become a part of the Hattiesburg Tribe. Gaston has been coaching cheerleading for 24 years on both the school and all star circuit. Formally a previous gym owner in North Mississippi for the past 9 years, life has brought him back to Hattiesburg. He is married to his beautiful wife, Raven, and has two children, John Gaston and Ruby. Previously, Gaston and Brandon worked together at South Mississippi Elite, where they took the first team from Hattiesburg to the Cheerleading Worlds. Collectively over Gaston’s career, he has been fortunate to accomplish multiple state and national championships. Over the years, he has been lucky enough to train and learn from some of the greatest tumbling minds in the industry. With a strong focus on technique, he strives to learn how athletes think in order to create a path for their success. Gaston believes everyone learns a little differently and his passion is creating those light bulb moments. His ultimate goal is to help athletes understand both mentally and physically how to be successful through hard work and dedication. Gaston can’t wait to share his knowledge, and looks forward working with everyone at ACE of Hattiesburg.

Lexy has over 20 years of experience in cheer and dance. She began with gymnastics in 1999, and then transitioned into All-Star Cheer in 2002. During the time she was in school, she did both school cheer and All-Star Cheer. She then went on to Jones College where she was a member of the cheer team and began her coaching career. After Jones, she went on to graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. While at USM, she balanced being a student, the reigning Miss Arkansas, and coaching All-Star cheer and tumbling full time. Throughout her coaching career, she’s coached everything from school cheer teams, All-Star teams, tumbling classes, to private tumbling, stunting, and modeling/pageant lessons. She’s also had the opportunity to judge at the junior high, high school, and collegiate level. Lexy has a passion for seeing her athletes grow and achieve their goals. She believes her niche is finding what drives each individual athlete to work harder and uses that as an advantage to push them to obtain their goals faster. Cheerleading is her passion, and she enjoys inspiring athletes to have the same love for it that she does.

My name is Mariah Burnette, and I am so excited to be at ACE of Hattiesburg! From the age of 6 to 19 years old I was a competitive cheerleader, and I have found a passion for coaching since retiring my own cheer shoes. I cheered at Mississippi Gulf Coast after high school. While I was cheering at MGCCC I coached at ACE of Gulf Coast. I have coached from the tiny age and all the way up to senior aged athletes, and I have loved every minute of it! My coaching career began at my dads gym, Champs, and later I found myself at ACE of Jackson but I have decided to move to Hattiesburg to be closer to family and embark on a new adventure! Im eager to meet everyone and start a new amACEing season! Go Tribe!

Sloane Surber has been involved in school and All Star cheer as both a participant and coach for over 15 years. Her knowledge of cheer, stunts, tumbling, and routine performance speak for itself. Sloane currently heads up our Level 3 team at ACE of Hattiesburg.

My name is Whitney Clingon. I cheered for Cheryl during my time at South Mississippi Elite way back in 2004ish, as well as Brandon when he and Cheryl joined forces and for Oak Grove High school. I moved to Purvis, where I cheered and graduated from, then went on to cheer co-Ed for Jones County Junior College. I left my career as an Insurance Agent to pursue a dream in Nursing. As we know it’s God’s plan, not ours and He lead me back to my first love, cheerleading. This is my second year coaching All Stars and tumbling ant ACE and I am currently serving as coach of the Tiny Titans and the director of the flexibility program. Now I have the opportunity every day to teach your kids to do new skills and instill confidence that comes with this sport.