Event Chairs: Duke and Michelle “CC” Ensell

Duke founded Admiral Transfer & Rigging in 1984, which specializes in over-the-road, heavy haul services. He has worked extremely hard to build this company into the reputable, reliable, and successful company it is today. So much so, Duke was honored as a recipient of the “Top 20 CEO’s and Entrepreneurs” award in 2019. He also has two children, Jordyn, 30, and Dylan, 28, and is married to his wife, Michelle “CC” Ensell.

Michelle “CC” was born in Houston, TX in 1968 and is a 3rd generation Houstonian.  Aside from her last year at The American School in Switzerland, where she graduated in 1986, she has spent her entire life in here in Houston. She is a 1990 graduate of Southwest Texas State University and a mother of two children, Brandon, 28, and Grayson, 19. She is also being honored at the Women of Substance luncheon this year.

Duke and “CC” met in 2013 and were married in 2015. They have two grandsons, Liam, 6, and Levi, 3. In addition to spending time with their family, they also enjoy a variety of activities together, including attending concerts and sporting events, visiting Cedar Point amusement park, traveling, and tasting food and wine parings at local restaurants. Though, above all, they are most passionate about giving back to their community. They support and are involved with several organizations including Best Buddies. They are both Advisory Board members for Best Buddies in Houston, they were our 2017 Gala Chairs, as well as Auction Chairs in 2018, and Friendship Walk Team Sponsors since 2015.

Honorary Chairs: Mechelle Tran and Kevin Turra

Riel Restaurant and Pho Saigon partner, Mechelle Tran, has been named an Honorary Chair of the 2022 Best Buddies Champion of the Year Gala. She is an active supporter of charities focused on the arts and she also champions the enrichment of lives for women, children and adults. Her interest in supporting children and adults is focused on helping those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Mechelle has been a lifelong advocate for inclusivity in schools, so Best Buddies is an organization she loves to support. Mechelle is also the proud mother of 17-year-old, Ethan, who is a senior at Debakey High School. Ethan, like is mother, is active in his volunteer work and has celebrated his birthdays in collaboration with fundraisers for charities since the age of 7.

Also serving as an Honorary Chair of the 2022 Best Buddies Champion of the Year Gala is Kevin Turra, Vice President of Regional Customer Development for MGM Resorts International. In addition to his love of sports and travel, Kevin is invested in making Houston the best place to live for everyone including children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Kevin enjoys supporting charities and missions that focus on improving the quality of life for children and seniors and is proud to be an advocate for Best Buddies in Houston.

Honorary Emcee: Sharron Melton

Sharron Melton is an Emmy-nominated and award-winning journalist with over 20 years of anchoring, reporting, and producing experience.

She’s been a TV anchor in Houston, Miami, Mobile, Alabama, and Roswell, New Mexico.
She has been the host and executive producer of “Sharing the Sugar with Sharron,” an international YouTube and podcast show that interviews people about the importance of giving back to their communities.

Sharron was named one of the 50 Most influential Women in the City of Houston by Houston Woman’s Magazine. She holds a master’s degree in television communication from Eastern New Mexico University and a bachelor’s degree in speech communication and journalism from Texas A&M University. She has also worked as an undergraduate lecturer and instructor in broadcast news fundamentals at the University of South Alabama.

Sharron is a proud member of the International Women’s Forum Houston Chapter, the National Association of Black Journalists and has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council in Houston and Steering Committee for Women of Wardrobe with Dress For Success Houston.