Meet the MABA Team | Mid Atlantic Barbecue Association

Joe Rouse – President

While I am a certified judge, most of my experience comes as part of a competition team, Rough Cut Q. Although we began as a backyard team, we are now working toward moving up to the Masters division.

MABA has one of the strongest backyard divisions in the country. If our organization is going to grow, we need to keep this group engaged while also supporting those looking to advance. I believe having a backyard-oriented perspective on the board will help MABA navigate these changes effectively.

Lee Evans – Vice President

Samantha Adams – Treasurer

I entered the world of BBQ because of the food – I’ve stayed because of the people. As a MABA member, I’ve had opportunities to interact with so many amazing pitmasters, cook teams, contest organizers, KCBS representatives, and judges who have welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I am part of the BBQ family.

I am a proud Lifetime Member of KCBS, a Master Certified BBQ Judge, and a Certified Table Captain. Judging has been such an amazing experience on so many levels, but I recently discovered that I enjoy working as a volunteer at competitions too. I especially love working at the turn-in tables – getting to interact with the teams and wishing them luck as they drop off their boxes is so much fun!

Ron Vasold – Secretary

I have been a backyard barbecue enthusiast for more than 40 years, having purchased my first smoker while I was still in high school. My passion grew even deeper during the 1990s when I lived in South Carolina, where I became obsessed with whole hog barbecue and the history and traditions of cooking barbecue.

Over the years, I have continued to expand my knowledge and appreciation of barbecue across the country’s regional styles and traditions. I became a KCBS Lifetime Member and earned my Certified Barbecue Judge and Table Captain certification more than six years ago. Since then, I have achieved my Master Judge certification, completed JCUP, and have judged more than 125 contests.

Bill DeHoff – Director

Bill started by watching the BBQ Pitmaster and other competition shows in 2008. My wife suggested that I look to get certified to become a BBQ judge. I have continued to judge every year since excluding the Covid-19.

Bill is a Certified Master BBQ Judge and has judged 39 competitions and completed the JCUP. Outside of competition BBQ, he cooks almost every weekend on his Big Green Egg. Bill is working to perfect his brisket cooks.

Stephen Hypes – Director

Coming from Virginia, I’ve been proud to call the Mid-Atlantic home since I got started in competition BBQ, a time when I thought “BBQ” was a pulled pork sandwich and I had no idea what brisket was. Since then, I’ve had the honor and privilege to compete against, learn from, judge with, and be guided by some true giants of the BBQ world.

I have been involved in Competition BBQ since 2014 primarily as the head cook for Still Workin’ On It BBQ. I am also an SCA member, experienced Certified BBQ Judge and have served as a part-time team member of Wolf’s Revenge BBQ.

Richard Rybak – Director

I currently compete in the KCBS Masters Division as Ain’t That Rich across the East Coast. Likewise, Ain’t That Rich provides catering and other services throughout the NJ-NY-PA area. As many of our members know, I volunteer to run Wild Child at every event at which I compete. While many consider me very persistent (you love it!) in ensuring the biggest possible jackpots, I see it as an opportunity to walk around and meet teams and make new friends. I have no qualms about talking to people and learning all about them. That is how we ensure this love (obsession!) of ours for BBQ continues to be rewarding for us and welcoming to future generations. As such, I know that I can help secure the best possible experiences for all of our members by listening to them and help curate fun and rewarding BBQ competitions.

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.

Jacob Artz – Director

I’m the pitmaster and owner of K-Town Pit Que, a competition BBQ team and in-home cooking school based in Kensington, Maryland. We compete on the KCBS circuit and regularly host community cooking classes and demos designed to make competition-level barbecue approachable for everyday cooks. My team’s motto—“When we practice, you win”—sums up our philosophy: we use competitions and public cooks as a way to educate and connect.

Beyond the circuit, I’ve built strong relationships with local businesses, schools, and community organizations to bring barbecue to new audiences. Whether it’s running a rib masterclass for a local PTA auction, serving smoked brisket at community fundraisers, or teaching backyard cooks how to control airflow on a Weber Smokey Mountain, I’ve seen firsthand how BBQ can bring people together.