John Shirey II – Director

I’ve spent the past seven years fully dedicated to barbecue—competing in over 170 competitions across the country as the Pitmaster of Chunky BBQ. My experience on the road, cooking against top teams nationwide, has given me a deep understanding of what makes contests successful and what teams truly need. I’m proud to have earned KCBS Team of the Year, and that competitive drive gives me a balanced, well-rounded perspective that I believe will be a real asset to MABA.

Beyond the technical skills, I’ve spent years building relationships throughout the Mid-Atlantic barbecue community—connecting with teams, judges, organizers, and volunteers. I’ve learned what makes contests run smoothly, what members value most, and where improvements can make a big impact.