Our International Advisory Council is lead by Santa America’s National Director of Santa Relations. It is composed of international leaders in Santa service, art, education, media and internet/networking technology. Our IAC is a “kitchen cabinet” of committed supporters who provide ideas and insight for ongoing improvement of our unique support of special children and their families.

Santa Bob Elkin
National Director of Santa Relations AND chair of the IAC

Santa Bob Elkin has been donning the Red Suit since 1993. Santa Bob is a children’s Santa, known to get down on the floor at a Christmas party and play with the kids and their gifts. He is a professional “real” Santa collecting smiles at Private Santa Home Visits, Day Cares, Schools, Libraries, Country Clubs, Hotels, Corporate parties and other events. Bob is a member of FORBS, Santa America , SATG, SCHOF, N.B.R. #2145 and a graduate of IUSC.

Santa Bob is Santa 12 months a year for LifePath Hospice. While the primary mission of Santa-America is bringing Love, Hope and Joy to children under Hospice care or other stressful situations, Bob has learned that bringing this same Love, Hope and Joy to the elderly patients of Hospice is also personally rewarding. When we realize these Hospice patients may only have a few days, a few weeks, maybe a few months, it is truly remarkable to see how just a short magical visit from Santa can create such a radiant smile, make those eyes sparkle again, maybe make their heart soar again, if for just a few minutes, even if perhaps, for the last time, shows again just how important Santa-America’s work is.

Bob has been married to JoAnn for 28 years. Together, they have four children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren! Bob has called the Tampa Bay Area home for the last 40+ years.

Santa Bob is available anytime to speak to your organization or group about the excellent work Santa-America performs for our local community. You can e-mail Santa Bob at santa@santatb.com, or you can visit him on the web at www.santatb.com.
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Sheila Booth-Alberstadt

Sheila Booth-Alberstadt was born in Kristiansund, Norway, raised in Vero Beach, Florida, educated in Massachusetts and now lives in Fairhope, Alabama with her husband, Stephen Alberstadt and children, Signe, Sam, Saxon, Saylor, Payton and Logan.

Sheila started Booth-Alberstadt insurance agency/Farmers Insurance Group in Daphne, Alabama, in 1997. After the birth of her third child, she decided to stay at home and her husband took over the agency. She home-schooled for several years until the birth of her fourth child. She now spends much of her spare time writing books and providing her family a happy home.

Sheila has been a hospice volunteer since 1997, and also recruited her two oldest children to experience the gift of giving. “It’s a beautiful experience to hold the hands of a complete stranger, with hope in providing comfort through emotion, touch or prayer, before making their final journey. Being a hospice volunteer has truly helped me appreciate life.”

Sheila’s favorite interests are capturing memories through photography and writing self-help books geared for both children and adults. “I feel that being a child is more difficult than being an adult. My goal is to create a series of self-help books designed to give encouragement and direction when dealing with our everyday issues in life…and to leave a powerful message of hope.”

Santa Carl Anderson

Carl Anderson, Ph.D. has been recognized as “one of the country’s premier Santa” by the CBS Evening News, “the world’s foremost Santa expert” (Los Angeles Magazine), and “the closest thing to Santa Claus since Edmund Gwen held Natalie Wood on his lap in Miracle of 34th Street” (Los Angeles Magazine). A licensed psychologist, professional storyteller and entertainer, speaker and adjunct faculty member of the Educational Psychology Department of the University of Texas , Carl lives in Austin, Texas .

With a remarkable resemblance to St. Nick himself, and a warm, sincere and jolly persona, Carl has been one of Santa’s helpers since 1983, and has appeared exclusively at North Park Center in Dallas, Texas during the holiday season since 1989. He now has parents who visited him as children bringing their children to visit. Santa conducts a daily story time, with tales of grouchy elves, demanding dragons, and life at the North Pole, which attracts hundreds of eager listeners. His wife, Peyton Hayslip, a professional actress and performer joins him, as Mrs. Claus when possible, to the delight of the children.

Carl selected children’s belief in Santa as the topic of his doctoral dissertation for his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. He was nicknamed the “Santa Scholar” and is sought out annually by the media for his thoughts on things Santa-related. He has been the subject of pieces in People, The Wall Street Journal, Life , USA Today, and others. He co-authored a book entitled “All I Want for Christmas Is…”, a collection of children’s letters to Santa Claus.

Touring as a storyteller, performer and speaker to schools, festivals, conferences and special events, Anderson has been called ” Central Texas ‘s Best Storyteller” (Austin Chronicle), and “entertaining, enlightening, and pertinent”, “spellbinding, funny, warm and gentle” by those who have seen him perform. He has written a variety of theatrical pieces for children, including Hold On To Your Dreams, and The Jolly Tales of the North Pole with Santa and Mrs. Claus. In addition, he has created inspirational and entertaining pieces for adults, including Have Faith?, and an overview of Santa’s role in his life and our culture: Searching for Santa and Finding Hope, based on journals he has kept of his years in the red suit and his research, considered “a winning autobiographical tale… hilarious” (Austin American Statesman) and “an extraordinary blend of humor, pathos and intelligence” (Austin Chronicle). Carl can be reached by email at carl@thistlemouse.com, and Santa and Mrs. Claus can be visited and reached at www.santaandmaggieclaus.com.

Aime Crassas

She is the founder of The Golden Feather Personal Assistants Firm, offering “peace of mind services” to those needing upscale support for family, personal demands or social events. Golden Feather assistants are screened for education, reliability, social awareness, and sensitivity to client’s needs and time constraints.

Her husband, Alkis, is President of EVOS, Tampa’s premier, healthy, quick-service dining restaurant chain that is currently in a national expansion. They have a gifted and beautiful daughter, Sophia. Aime and her family spend their summers in Athens, Greece, where Saint Nicholas is the National Patron Saint.

Aime enjoys tennis, cycling, reading, cooking for friends, and yoga. She is a firm believer in strong family traditions for Christmas and the magic of Santa Claus.

Santa Tim Conahan

A Santa for over 37 years, Santa Tim Connaghan is an accomplished performer, storyteller, comedian, professional speaker, and magician and is the author of “Behind the Red Suit – the Business of Santa Claus”. He is president of www. RealSantas.com, supplying ‘real bearded’ Santas all over America and is the Executive Director of the almost 600 member, international Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas.

He directs the International University of Santa Claus (IUSC), and has trained hundreds of Santas in special workshops across America . Santa Tim has been seen by millions while appearing on Dr. Phil, the Tonight Show, Mad-TV, and as the official Santa for the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

He has appeared in commercials for such clients as Old Navy, Kraft, Nabisco, Planter’s, Dannon and Cool Whip. Tens of thousands of children and their families have been delighted with visits from Santa Tim, along with special events and private parties for hundreds of organizations and corporations including Capitol Records, Hallmark, In N Out Burgers, KIIS-FM, Los Angeles Country Club, Southwest Airlines, The USO, The Salvation Army, The St. Regis Resort and Spa, The Regent Beverly Wilshire, McDonalds, Marvin and Barbara Davis, Reese Witherspoon and Steven Spielberg.

A native Californian, Tim Connaghan has performed, entertained and produced special events throughout California for over 30 years, including community theatre, performing magic, producing shows at the Hollywood Bowl and Universal Amphitheater, and announcing at the Coliseum. When not in California , he is usually visiting his daughter in New York .

His voice ranges from the deep styles of Gary Owens, Don Pardo and Thurl Ravenscroft, to the comic diversity of characters including Bullwinkle, Barney, Goofy and Mickey, having studied with famed character voice artist June Foray. Having performed with Community Choirs and in Musicals, his comic timing and tenor/baritone range are well received. He is comfortable in front of any audience whether it is four, forty, or forty thousand.

Starting as a broadcast journalist, Tim spent almost a decade as a News Director and radio personality in Central and Southern California . While in radio, he found his talent for fund raising, which began a 25-year career raising millions of dollars working for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the March of Dimes, the City of Hope , and the American Cancer Society. He has appeared on over seventy televised programs, news conferences and media events and co-hosted 3 telethons.

Flying is one of his great loves and he has over 2,000 hours in the air as an observer in helicopters and loves riding roller coasters. This past Memorial Day he began his summer vacation at Coney Island by announcing the Salvation Army’s plan to give away thousands of free, one-week camp trips to inner city kids across America . He then boarded Coney Island ‘s famous Cyclone Roller Coaster for a few trips with some past camp attendees.

On December 7, 2004, Santa Tim officially opened Knott’s Berry Farm’s ‘The Silver Bullet,’ fastest, highest and longest roller coaster ride on the West Coast. On opening day, he rode the new coaster a total of 17 times for live video feeds across the United States . He said, “It was like flying with the reindeer, lots of loops, turns and corkscrew twists!” He hopes one day to experience the trill of flying in a fighter jet.

In the role of “Kris Kringle,” he speaks on “The Origins of Santa Claus,” “The Symbols of Christmas,” and “How to get a Head Start on the Holidays.” As Stand-Up Comedian ‘Kris K’, he has appeared at the Improv, the Ice House, the Comedy Store and other venues. He is in high demand as Santa and can be reached for appearances and presentations at: (951) 779-0536 or www.SantaHollywood.com.

Bernadette Dimerov

Bernadette Dimitrov aka Mrs Claus, is an Australian Christmas author, speaker, laughter yoga teacher (teaching health and happiness through laughter – the real reason why Santa HoHOho’s) and host of ‘Conversations with Mrs Claus’ inspirational podcast show heard in more than 90 countries “The Family Yak” featuring experts, coaches, best selling authors, Christmas folk including famous Santa Clauses from around the world, spiritual leaders, thought leaders and more sharing tips, tools and insights to live a happier and more joyous life. Mrs Claus also answers questions about Christmas that come in from children and adults each week from around the globe and shares inspirational insights to uplift listeners. She is a ‘Platinum Level’ expert ezine articles author with her works published all over the world. Mrs Claus also writes a monthly article for a local Melbourne magazine ‘Happiness, Life & Holidays with Mrs Claus’.

Bernadette aka Mrs Claus is passionate about sharing the fun, magic, joy, love and positive transformational messages of Christmas, so we can live happier, healthier, more fufilled lives and create more peace and love on the planet. She has appeared on TV, radio and print media around the world and has authored and co-authored 8 books including “The HoHoHo Factor” everything you’ll love to know about Christmas including fun trivia, symbols, meanings, traditions around the world, folklore and little known history plus much more! Also “Bluey Santa’s New Recruit” fun adventure series for children that draws on inner strengths. co-author of “Simply Christmas” with English author Christopher Byrnes and co-author of “The Greatness in You” with best selling author Michele Blood and The Mystical Success Club and most recently she was a contributor for “The Ultimate Christmas Book” in which she is featured as one of ten ‘Must Know Christmas experts’.

Bernadette has had a great love of Christmas since a little girl. Her life long dream has been to be in service to others just like her greatest inspiration Santa Claus. She has a background in human services and has worked with people with special needs including intellectual and physical disabilities for more than 20 years. Mrs Claus is also a ‘Secret Santa’ and serves her community in this role wherever she can and encourages others to do the same ie to give in the true meaning, to do something to uplift or help one or more with the expectation of nothing in return. Bernadette lives in Melbourne, Australia. Her website is http://HoHoHoChristmas.com

Bill French

” SANTA BILL“ Originally from Syracuse, New York, Bill began acting classes in the mid-80′s originally to complement his lawyer skills. Since that beginning he accumulated numerous stage, feature and industrial film credits, including TV movies – “The Trial” and “Challenger”. He served on the Board of a local community theatre for a number of years and acted with a Murder Mystery Players troupe in early 1995 for several years. Bill appeared in many local theatre productions. He also appeared in many Night Court Shows – written, produced, and staring all lawyers and judges in a musical ribbing of their profession – his last was in 2008.

Early on Bill was asked to play Santa. He had a fake beard and a really cheap suit for the first couple years. It was a natural compliment to his acting roles. Since then Bill has gone on to become a very busy Christmas Elf.

After about 10 year, he was asked to do a Christmas in July performance for the Shrine Burn Center in Galveston. He was really not too interested in doing it for fear of his own emotions would get control and spoil his portrayal. The first thing he saw was the gleam in the eyes of the children in complete awe of seeing Santa in July! To think he could actually give some pleasure to children in such dire straits was overwhelming. From that point forward he had a new appreciation for being Santa and accepted all of the responsibilities that being Santa entails.

As soon as he heard of Santa America he wanted to join. He attended a wonderful hospice training with one of the only non-profit hospices in Houston and realizes even more how he might be better able to help children in hospice – either as patients or as family of a patient. He recently was on a team from Houston Hospice helping one of his own brother Santas afflicted with pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately he died peacefully in mid-2010.

Bill now visits with many other Santas and Santa groups trying to have all Santas become trained to work with their local hospices, and of course with Santa America. Santa Bill’s website is: www.MyOwnSanta.com

Santa Jac Grimes

Santa Jac Grimes is a lifelong resident of Guilford County and currently lives in Jamestown, NC with his wife of 38 years, Liz and son Jason. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas and is serving a two year term as a Director At Large.

In addition to his professional Santa work, Santa Jac donates his time as Santa to multiple community events. He is Santa for KidsPath, a division of Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, and gives Blood as Santa at the American Red Cross Holiday Blood Drive.

He holds an Advanced Masters Degree of Santa Clausology from the International University of Santa Claus in Riverside California and has been portraying the Jolly ol’ Elf since 2006. Santa Jac Grimes is a Real Bearded Santa 365 days a year. His website is http://www.santajac.com/

Amanda Hembree

After being born during a blizzard in the Great White North, Amanda Hembree has experienced spreading love, hope, and joy around the globe. Holding memberships in the American Counseling Association, American Psychological Association, and Alabama Counseling Association, Amanda is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor and a founding member of the International Association of Coaching. She has served on the faculty of Bayside Academy since moving to the area in 2008. Additionally, Amanda serves as sponsor of the Middle School Girl’s Wellness Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Peer Counselor Coordinator, and Head Elf of the Teen Elf program. In her “free time”, Amanda is an active member of the Junior League of Mobile and was named by Mobile Bay Monthly as one of the top 40 Under 40 young professionals. Bayside Academy has served as the pilot program for Teen Elves since its creation, and provides additional opportunities for training and leadership for an amazing group of students. As Santa America Student Elf Coordinator, Amanda ensures that Santa has access to properly trained elves to help spread love, hope and joy 365 days a year. She cannot wait to assist others in the creation or expansion of the teen elf program, and is looking forward to the day when Santa America Teen Elves can be found throughout the world!

Santa Tom Irving

Santa Tom Irving first donned the red suit in December of 1952 at the Christmas Pageant at St Anthony’s School in Falls Church, VA. As a skinny second grader he WOWED the crowd with a squeaky HO HO HO, but the seed was planted deep in his soul!
It took several decades before that seed germinated and Atlantas Real Santa Claus emerged, but since then, Santa Tom has been fully committed to the idea of being a full time, year round Santa.
Santa Tom is a private party Santa appearing in homes and corporate settings all around the Atlanta Metro area as well as Parades, Christmas tree lightings and other special events.
Santa Tom is happiest when he is involved with any of his many charitable events mostly centered around Special needs children and children suffering the ravages of grave and terminal illness. Working with the Rockdale County and Georgia State Special Olympics, The Tim Hudson Family Foundation, The Gwinnett County Special Populations Athletic Association, and The Hughes Spalding Childrens Hospital, as well as many smaller special events for special needs children.
With his wife and Mrs. Claus Terry at his side, he served as Treasurer and BOD member of AORBS, cofounded The Brotherhood of the Direct Descendants of Santa, The Red Suit Roundtable and The Santa Claus Academy. Santa Tom is a member of The Peachtree Santas and the Newton/Rockdale Santas and has also recently become a member of FORBS.
Wearing the red suit gives Santa Tom the blessing to give UNCONDITIONAL LOVE to all he visits
Santa Tom can be reached on his Sleigh Phone @ 678-266-7212 or his website:www.atlantasrealsanta.com or email atlantasrealsanta@gmail.com

Santa Ted Jackson

Ted has been a “Real Bearded Santa” since 1999. He has worked as a mall Santa in Albuquerque, NM and Gainesville, GA. He now enjoys being Santa mostly at private parties and corporate events. He has done modeling for photo shoots both as Santa and as not.

Ted also enjoys doing some community theater and participating in productions at church (through not as Santa). He has been involved in other forms of media including TV and video productions.

Santa Lou Knezevich

Santa Lou brings to the Santa America organization many years of corporate experience. He has been an executive with several major insurance companies specializing in automobile coverage. His skills developing consumer confidence and loyalty were rewarded when the insurance company he managed was voted “the Best to do Business With” by agents in Florida and Georgia. He has been listed in “Who’s Who in Insurance” and known for innovative insurance programs.

Santa Lou is a founding member of The Brotherhood of the Direct Descendents of Santa plus a Master Instructor at the Santa Claus Academy. He is a member of the Peachtree Santas and other organizations. He is also a contributing writer for the North Pole Observer, Claus Net and The Santa America, Santa Blog. He has designed his own and Mrs. Claus’s costumes plus accessories.

He and Mrs. Claus are featured at the St. Regis Hotel in Buckhead where they host a “Tea with Santa.” He has appeared at the Fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta, Cookies with Santa and the New York City Rockettes, The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s, “North Pole Limited,” Marietta’s,” Fourth in the Park Parade.” He has performed for Macy’s, The Marriot Marquis Atlanta, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, Park-n-Fly, The Atlanta Bread Company, Rally Foundation, Children’s Health Care of Atlanta, Festival of Trees, Emmaus House and many more.

Santa Lou loves his role and he is in character 365/24/7. He delights when the public recognizes him as Santa and usually in his pocket are stickers which read “You Just Met Santa Claus.”



Santa Ian Loxton (Australia)

“To say there is no Santa Claus is the most erroneous statement in the world. Santa Claus is a thought that is passed from generation to generation. After time this thought takes on a human form. Maybe if all children and adults understand the symbolism of this thought we
can actually attain Peace on Earth and good will to men everywhere.”
Charles W Howard, Legendary Santa Claus (June 15, 1896–May 1, 1966)

I support Santa-America.org from Adelaide, Australia – Love, Hope, and Joy… 365 Days a Year, Wrapped in a Warm Santa Hug!

Bill McKee

Bill McKee is a native of Southwest Virginia and lives on an acre of his grandfather’s former farm. He and his wife Patsy have two children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Bill’s hobbies and interests include his small, modest garden which always includes tomatoes. He has also taught himself leather working to accent Santa’s wardrobe. Following college and four years in the Air Force stationed in Western Germany, Bill found a doorway opened to him utilizing his photography hobby, turning it into a career in documentary photojournalism at the Bristol Herald Courier.
He came to the world of Santa Claus through a longtime Santa who became physically unable to continue his work. Bill received the call in 1997.
Growing up in a rural farming community in Southwest Virginia in the 1950s, Christmas was always a very special time of year filled with magic and wonder and a special feeling of peace, harmony and stillness on Christmas Eve.

Wearing the red suit is now core to Bill’s focus and activities throughout the year. His Santa duties include being the official Santa for a small community, Damascus, Va., known as ‘The Friendliest Town On the Appalachian Trail.’ During the holiday season Bill takes vacation time from work, visiting with many families, schools, groups and organizations throughout Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.

Bill also makes regular monthly visits to the Niswonger Children’s Hospital and the St. Jude Tri-Cities Affiliate Clinic in Johnson City, Tenn., where he is a full-time Santa volunteer as part of his Santa America activities. Bill spends much of his time year round as a Santa America volunteer, an organization of Santas who specialize in working with hospitals, hospices, children with autism, childhood obesity and health, and wounded warriors and their families.

Taking his journalism talents into the world of Santa Claus, Bill edits and produces a publication for Santas, Mrs Claus’ and all involved in Christmas. The North Pole Observer is distributed to more than 1,400 who portray Santa in the U.S., Canada and around the world, including Australia. Santa Bill’s website is: http://www.theSantaClaus.com

Santa Tim Mack

Over the years, Santa Mack has worked hard at developing the Santa Claus character. It has caused one of his employers to say, “Santa Mack is without exception the most wonderful inspiration to children, but also to adults. His sincerity and personification is magical and inspirational. It is something special that words just can not explain. Let’s just say that Westfield Mall has the Macy’s Santa from the classic film Miracle on 34th Street.”

Santa Mack holds a Doctorate of Santaology from the International University of Santa Claus. He is exceptionally versatile, as in 2007 alone, he spent 171 days away from his lovely wife Dana. Santa Mack flew 13,776 miles and drove another 13,104 miles to appear as Santa at shopping centers, themed attractions, and Holiday parties!

Santa Mack tries to remind everyone that he encounters; “The Magic of Christmas is seen through the eyes, the memories of Christmas are always in your heart.” And Mack says, “Being Santa is the most rewarding thing Mack has ever done.”

Santa Mack has a passion for the missions that Santa America is involved in.

Dennis J. Martin

Dennis Martin is a graduate of Montclair State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Industrial Education and a doctoral degree in Career/Vocational-Technical Education. He has consulted in public and private schools in curriculum design, competitive/noncompetitive grant applications, and district-wide program assessments.

In public education, he has held district-wide positions with 15+ years experience in program design and the management of the Carl D. Perkins Federal Grant process. Dennis has successfully written grants worth in excess of $2 million dollars.

At the classroom level, he served as an assistant principal, department supervisor, and classroom teacher.

In the private sector he was employed as a corporate technical writer and designed, developed, and implemented a computer-assisted engineering graphics program for a post-secondary technical institute.

Dennis has volunteered for various volunteer community services in New Jersey at Veterans Administration and ALANON. He also volunteered at Welfare Hospital, New York.

Dennis is an avid reader, enjoys workouts at the local gym, walks/jogs, enjoys social dancing, is returning to studying the piano, and is a lifetime member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Dennis believes in Santa Claus…….

Santa Tom Pierce

Santa Tom lives in the “ north woods” of Minnesota on Lake Roosevelt in Outing with “Christmas Carol”. Tom is a 35-yr. veteran in the real estate business with experience as a sales trainer and office manager. He is currently the District Representative for the North Star Santas Chapter of FORBS, as well as a very active member of the Minnesota Santas, a group of over 100 real bearded Santas. Other affiliations of Tom’s include being a Mason for 34 yrs., a member of the Minneapolis Scottish Rite, Zuhrah Shrine ( unit president in 1988), as well as the former president and one of the founders of his lake association.Some of Santa Tom’s interests and accomplishments include: working summers as a canoeing and sailing instructor at a children’s summer camp, an emcee of Zuhrah Sports Shows, conducting a clown seminar for the Courage Center, and an avid hunter and fisherman. Santa Tom loves being a year’round Santa at all kinds of events. He has a big soft spot for children with special needs. His warm, outgoing, and engaging personality makes him a sought-after Santa in Minnesota. Santa Tom truly embraces the spirit of giving all year long and treasures the smiles of people of all ages everywhere he goes. You can see more about him at www.santaupnorth.com

Santa Dennis Pollard

I am very blessed and honored to have been being given the chance to be “Santa” to children of all ages for the last 25 years. I have felt the tiny heartbeats of little miracles who were only days old and have seen the return to childhood memories in eyes of a precious ninety year old gentleman. It has been said, “In the eyes of children you see the joy of Christmas; in the hearts of children you see the meaning of Christmas.”

In 2008, I joined the Palm Tree Santas in my home state of Florida and am truly honored to be a part of a group of gentlemen and women who truly embody the spirit of Christmas each day of the year. I am the Team Leader and co-founder of the Palm Tree Santa Drill Team, a group of “grizzled old veterans” spreading the message of “Pride, Honor and Courage” to the children we meet throughout the year. In “marching for Santa-America,” we show honor and respect to our military veterans, firefighters, police officers and teachers in the communities that we have an opportunity to perform in front of.

I am very proud to be a member of Santa-America and to be given an opportunity to represent both Santa-America and the Palm Tree Santas in the name of Santa Claus and St. Nicholas. Santa Dennis’ website is http://www.jollyoldelf.net/

Santa Jim Pollard

Santa Jim Pollard has been Santa for over fifty years. He spent much of this time being Santa for churches and parties. He has been a professional Santa for ten years. He began his professional stint as Santa with the Santa Plus organization, serving as Santa for the Fayette Mall in Lexington, Kentucky and then several years in Nashville, Tennessee at Bellevue Center.

Prior to becoming Santa, he pastored churches in Kentucky , Tennessee and Florida . He and his wife, Jeanetta, graduated as the first married couple to graduate together from Belmont University in Nashville , Tennessee . Jim’s major was history. His minors were Bible and Philosophy. He served on the first National Alumni Advancement Board at Belmont .

He has pastored churches, is a professional speaker and is the author of the book Things Kids Say to Santa. He served on the National Board of Directors for Race Track Chaplains of America. Jim also served as the Chaplain for the Broward County Fair, Fort Lauderdale , Florida . During the time he served as Chaplain we had a booth at the fair, entitled “Cups of Cold Water and Jesus.” We gave out water and thousands of tracts. The Broward County Fair is one of the largest fairs in the United States .

Jim and Jeanetta have been married for forty-five years. They have two adult children, Valerie and Barry.

He also operated a successful family owned landscape contracting business in Fort Lauderdale , FL. During this time he also served as a Christian activist. It was at this time that he appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Santa Jim has been written up in many magazines and newspapers, including USA Today, Washington Times, Nashville Tennessean, Paducah Sun and in many papers in a story that was picked up by the Associated Press.

He appeared on Fox and Friends and also served as the Santa for Montel Williams’ Christmas Eve show and numerous other TV stations. He had his own cable TV talk show in the Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood area. He now co hosts a TV talk show entitled the Fabulous Fifties and Beyond. He conducts over 200 radio interviews during the Christmas season. He also appeared on the cover of Nashville Life Magazine.

He has done commercials for Easter Seals, Bellevue Center Mall, Nashville Predators Hockey Team, Nashville , Tennessee ABC affiliate, Channel 2, WKRM. He was Santa at the international ASTD conference held in Orlando , Florida in 2005.

Jim loves to read, travel, entertain, photography and woodworking.

He has a passionate love for children. Each year he participates with other soap opera and music stars in the “Telethon of Stars.” This telethon benefits Easter Seals.

Santa Mike Pytlik (Canada)

Welcome to all Who Share a Love for Christmas and it’s true message! Joyful Santa available for Private Parties, Corporate Functions, Malls, Schools,Day Care Centers, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Retirement Centers. There may even be occasions where Santa is seen in the middle of Summer shopping, or at the beach or pool. Santa has a very busy schedule during the year making toys and supervising the Elves, not to mention Reindeer training.

Christmas is a time of joy, fun, and making merry for young and old alike. Santa visits are a favourite from mid-October to Christmas Eve, and sometimes even later. Santa Mike’s website

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Michael Rielly

Michael Rielly first appeared as Santa Claus in a school play in 1971 at the age of 8 and has been a historically correct, Traditional Santa Claus ever since. Michael is also a third generation Santa. His grandfather, James (Jim) D. Rielly, was Santa Claus for 62 years and was well-known throughout the Northeastern United States.

Throughout his Santa Claus career, James D. Rielly took no money for his appearances. He was featured in hundreds of newspapers, magazines, and on national television shows and received letters from celebrities, dignitaries, Presidents, and His Holiness, Pope John Paul II. In 1979, his name was recorded in the United States Senate Congressional Record as “James D. Rielly, A Truly Remarkable Santa Claus from Rhode Island.” In December 2010, James D. Rielly was honored as one of the orginial14 inaugural inductees into the prestigious Santa Claus Hall of Fame in Santa Claus, Indiana.

After the passing of his grandfather in 1991, grandson Michael took over the roll as Rhode Island’s Santa Claus continuing his grandfather’s work. Michael Rielly appears at many of the very same venues as his grandfather once did. Today, Michael is recognized as “Rhode Island’s premier Santa” and “a Christmas and Santa Claus expert”. As Santa Claus, Michael Rielly speaks regularly to audiences on Saint Nicholas and the True Meaning of Christmas.

He has been featured in a number of eZines and blogs as well as traditional media including: East Bay, Providence Journal, Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, Boston Globe, and the Associated Press. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, the Dan Yorke Show, and the Helen Glover Show.

Michael is a graduate of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan and the International University of Santa Claus. He serves on the Santa Claus Oath committee and is an advisor to the Santa Claus Oath Foundation. In 2007, he founded the Santa Claus community, ClausNet — the largest community and resource for men and women dedicated to the faithful portrayal of Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and all others who devote their time to bringing the magic of Christmas to children and adults throughout the world!

Besides his Santa vocation, Michael has over twenty-five years of high-tech sales and marketing experience with significant start-up experience, focusing on primarily Internet and technology-related companies; serving in various roles — Founder, Board Member, and Business Development. He is an accomplished public speaker and passionate about digital marketing, social media, and building online communities. He speaks to organizations on the power of social networks and trains companies on their engagement in social media.

Michael also serves on several civic committees, boards, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Along with his other interests, he has studied classical music and theater, and holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Michael Rielly can be contacted at www.clausnet.com

Santa Ron Robertson

Santa Ron was featured as “Kris Kringle”, Best Buy National TV commercial, Sandwick Films, Universal Studios.

Santa Ron attended the University of Santa Claus, by Tim Connaghan, @ USC, with Mrs. Claus, “Commercial Intensive Class”, by Jason Byers, On Your Mark Studios, Univ. of Washington, 61- 65, Major: Engineering , Chinese & German Language – worked 2 yrs in Germany, 1 yr in Romania.

Ron has been “The Santa”, Tri-County Mall, Cincinnati, OH, and makes many private family appearances. Santa Ron’s website.