BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - It’s that time of year again. It’s the time when beads litter the streets of South Mississippi and little plastic babies become the reason to buy a cake.
If you’re not from here, it’s time for MARDI GRAS. While many krewes and organizations celebrate the spirit of carnival on the coast, one group models their brand of revelry after many that you see in the Big Easy.
After a change in focus, leadership, the addition of two new floats, and the overall way that events for their members were presented, the Krewe of Neptune has seen record-setting new membership numbers. Neptune has added more than 135 new members to the roster. That was the reason for two new floats, and two additional lines within the krewe.
After “Ruling the World” in 2023, Neptune “Enters the Game” with a theme that celebrates iconic board and video games. The krewe is also on pace to come very close to selling out their Coronation Ball at the Coliseum in only it’s second year back at the venue. With such great success, the krewe is excited to announce the Royal Court to help continue their successes into 2024.
King Neptune XXXIX is Arthur Joseph “Bud” Jones, III. How do you summarize the life of what may be one of the luckiest men in the world? A man who has been blessed with a wonderful family and a life filled with love and success. Is Bud best described as a Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Entrepreneur, Retiree, Veteran, Geek, or all the above? The son of Art and Barbara Jones, Bud and two sisters, Gracie and Barbara, moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1981, just in time for him to start the Ninth Grade at Nichols Jr. High. The son of an Air Force Officer and High School Teacher, education and love of Country were instilled early in his life. Upon graduating from Biloxi High School, he attended Ole Miss on multiple Academic Scholarships and was a two-year starter on the Rebel’s Rugby Team. He also was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity member and the Young Republicans Club. In 1990, Bud entered the military, and as the son of a son of Sailor, his love of water led to a 6-year stint of service in the US Navy. In 1991, Bud married his one true love, Bridgette Beaty, and together, they have two beautiful children, Paige, and AJ. Ironically, although he was a jock and nerd in high school, their paths never really crossed, despite having several mutual friends. In 1987, Bud met his skater girl at a wedding, and they have been inseparable ever since. After leaving the Navy, Bud worked as a consultant throughout the United States before coming home in 2002. Together Bud, Ryan Giles, and Brian Alford started what later would later become a nationally and world-recognized IT consulting company, AGJ Systems & Networks. Along the way, the company became the largest IT-based Business on the Gulf Coast. In 2020, Bud was recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of Mississippi’s top CEOs. He decided to sell his interest in the company and retired at the age of 52. Today, he can be found traveling the world, hanging out with family, and, in general, just enjoying life.
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Queen Venus XXXIX is Bailey Marie Wiltz. She is the daughter of Melody and Thomas Wiltz III. She is the sister to Brennon and Madison Wiltz. Her father, Thomas, reigned as King Neptune XXXIII in 2017, and Melody served as a maid twice in 1991 and 1992. Bailey started dancing in the Krewe’s tableau with Nancy’s School of Dance in 2014 and has dreamed of being part of the court since. Bailey is a native of Biloxi, MS where she attended Biloxi High School. Bailey went onto the University of Mississippi where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in finance. Bailey currently works as an administrative assistant at Platinum Capital Advisors in Biloxi. She is also a licensed insurance agent. Bailey is a member of Krewe of Hera and Krewe of Sirens. She was also a flag bearer with Gulf Coast Carnival Association in 2014. In her down time, she enjoys doing crafts, traveling, going to concerts, spending time with family and friends, and being a cat mom to her cats Moki and Shiloh.
Javier Electo Guizar is a duke who is originally from Los Angeles, CA. Jay moved around in and out of the US while in the USAF before finally settling in Biloxi in February 2015. He’s a retired Air Force veteran and has worked for GE healthcare for 23 years. Jay is married to Angie, and they have two beautiful daughters, Isabella (19) and Ava (16). He loves watching all sports, boating, going to Destin and Orange Beach with his family. Jay says that being a part of Neptune has made it easy to transition after moving 1,000 miles from home and is very excited to represent the Krewe of Neptune as a duke.
Heathe Edward Warner is a duke and was born and raised in Pass Christian, Mississippi. He attended St. Paul’s Elementary, St. Stanislaus High School and the University of South Alabama. He is alumni to Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He has been a member of Krewe of Neptune since 2010. He has served as an officer, line lieutenant and Trident Foundation member for the Krewe of Neptune. He currently works for Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Homes as a Pre-needs Counselor. He is a resident of Biloxi with his wife Renee Warner, who is a former Neptune maid. His children are son Alex, who is a former Neptune page, his daughter Holly, son Colston, who is a current Neptune page, and stepson Augie Tremmel, also a former Neptune page.
Brian Cleveland Alford is a duke and serves as the Chief Executive Officer for AGJ Systems & Networks, Inc. a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small business. Brian is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business. Brian attended Mississippi State University where he majored in Computer Science. After a few years of college, Brian enlisted in the United States Air Force for nine years, then worked as a GS-11 over seeing the Air Force Network Operations Center at Keesler for five more. Brian is married to Graceanne and has four children Julianna, Brayden, McKailynn and MyLeigh. Brian has been an active member of Krewe of Neptune since 2009 and former board member for Biloxi High Baseball Booster Club, Biloxi Youth Baseball Board & coach, active traveling baseball team coach, soccer coach and a cheer dad most weekends. Brian is also an active member of Our Lady of Fatima, IT Nation Evolve’s IT Professional Community, and Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta where he assists other IT Professionals across the country grow their small businesses.
Robert Johnathan Hammond is proud owner of the Bayou Restaurant in Ocean Springs and a devout member of the Krewe of Neptune for the last eight years. Bobby has expressed extreme excitement about being a part of this year’s royal court. Bobby has attributed his success on the Gulf Coast to joining The Krewe of Neptune years ago, where he shared good times, participated in raising funds for charities (such as the Trident foundation) and made many good friends. “Joining Neptune was one of the best decisions I ever made,” says Hammond.
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Benjamin Lewis Sincock was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin and is the son of Karen Lewis and George Sincock, who still reside in Wisconsin. In 2011, Ben joined the United States Navy. He was then stationed in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he met his now wife, Paige. Ben completed three deployments, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Ben and Paige live in Biloxi with their four dogs, Zoey, Scout, Magnolia and Brees. Ben now works for Monster Energy and spends his free time watching sports, playing video games and hanging out with family. Ben’s father-in-law is King Neptune XXXIX.
Arthur Joseph “A.J.” Jones, IV, or as he is known by friends and family, “Scotty P.” is the eighth son of Kid Rock and Bellatrix Lestrange. He is a graduate of Biloxi High School and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He has one sister, Paige Jones-Sincock, and was born in Newnan, Georgia in July of 2001. He moved to Biloxi in 2002 when his parents opened what would eventually become one of the largest IT companies on the Gulf Coast. He is currently pursuing a second degree at MGCCC while working as a food safety officer at Chick-fil-A and as a carnie where is responsible for running the Ferris Wheel. He currently lives with his adopted parents and his two Pitbulls. A.J. aspires to be a cowboy, but, until then, he has no ragrets!
Kailee Pearl Wilber is a maid from Biloxi, Mississippi. She graduated from Biloxi High in 2018. In 2022, she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. She is currently residing in Mobile, Alabama, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of South Alabama. She anticipates graduating from this program in December 2024. After graduation, she plans to return to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to be with her family and friends!
Katelyn Monroe Mohler is a maid and is the daughter of Theresa and the late David Mohler of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Katelyn graduated with high honors from St. Patrick Catholic High School in 2016. She was class treasurer and a member of many honor societies. Katelyn also danced at Donna’s Visual and Performing Arts Center for eight years. After high school, Katelyn went on to further her education at the University of Mississippi. She graduated magna cum laude in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and a minor in Business Administration. Katelyn is an alumnus of the Chi Chapter of Delta Delta Delta Sorority, as well as a member of several honor societies. Katelyn now, alongside her mom, Theresa, runs the TatoNut Donut Shop in Ocean Springs. In her free time, Katelyn enjoys visiting Disney World and spending time on the water and with her dog, Farley.
Azlyn Elizabeth Arguelles is a maid and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Joseph Arguelles of Ocean Springs. Her maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood Halat Beckham, Jr. of Wiggins, Mississippi. Her paternal grandparents are the late Mr. and Mrs. Ivon Anthony Arguelles, Sr. of Biloxi. She is an honors graduate of St. Martin High School, where she was a member of the State Championship Dance Team for four years and captain in her senior year. She is also a cum laude graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She is currently employed with the Jackson County School District as a first-grade teacher at St. Martin East Elementary School while continuing her pursuit of a master’s degree in counseling. She was a 16-year dancer at Nancy’s School of Dance where she was a part of the Nationally Award-winning Nancy Ward Dancers. She was also a member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkette Dance Team from 2018 to 2020, ranking sixth in the Nation. Azlyn was a 2021 Gulf Coast Debutante. She is a member of the Cathedral Parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biloxi. She is also a member of the Order of Billikins and the Krewe of Hera Carnival Organizations. Azlyn served as a page to Queen Venus in 2006. Her brother, Aaron Arguelles, served as a page to King Neptune in 2008. Her mother, Karen Beckham Arguelles, served as a maid to Queen Venus in 1992. And her father, Paul Arguelles, served as a Krewe of Neptune Board Member from 1995 to 2005. He also served as a Duke to King Neptune in 1992 and 2006.
Morgan Grace Kelly is from Saltillo, Mississippi, and is the daughter of Congressman Trent Kelly and Mrs. Sheila Kelly. Throughout middle and high school, Morgan was a competitive cheerleader and won a UCA All-Star National Championship in 2015. She graduated from Saltillo High School with special distinction in 2017. In 2021, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Morgan was on the Chancellor and Dean’s list all four years at Ole Miss. From 2017 to 2019, Morgan was in the Chancellor’s Leadership Class. Morgan was a YoungLife leader from 2018 to 2021. Morgan also served as the Delinquency Manager, Recording Secretary, and Vice President throughout her four-year membership of Alpha Delta Pi. Morgan recently graduated with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mississippi State University. She currently resides in Tupelo, Mississippi, and works as a Support Therapist at Tupelo Middle School.
Madison Gail Bosarge is honored to serve as one of the 2024 Krewe of Neptune Maids. Madison is the daughter of Kimberly and Brandon Bosarge and the older sister to siblings Mallory Bosarge and Blake Bosarge. Her Dad, Brandon, served as a Krewe of Neptune Duke in 2023. Madison is a graduate of Pascagoula High School, “Class of 2017.” From a very young age, Madison has traveled with family and friends all over the world. With her love of travel and photography, she specializes in capturing these memories through amazing photos and videos. As a young entrepreneur, full of dreams, Madison opened a dessert shop in Destin, Florida, with her long-time partner, Hector Rinza. After spending four years in business in Destin, Madison is now back residing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She is currently pursuing her Real Estate License and investing in local properties. Excited for the future, Madison and Hector are planning to establish their own Real Estate Brokerage Firm, taking her passion for business to the next level.
Shelby Faye Gruich is the daughter of Dr. James and Stephanie Gruich and sister to Katelyn and Sidney Gruich. Shelby is from Biloxi, Mississippi, where she attended St. Martin High School. Shelby furthered her academic career at the University of South Alabama, majoring in Professional Health Science with a concentration in Healthcare Management. During her studies, she was inducted into the Alpha Eta Society, a national honors society for Pat Capps Covey of Allied Health students and graduated cum laude. Shelby pursued a career in medical sales after receiving her bachelor’s degree and is currently an active member at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
The Krewe of Neptune will officially crown the new royalty on Saturday, February 3 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center. The revelry continues Saturday, February 10, when the krewe will take over the streets of Biloxi for #NeptuneSaturday at 5:30 p.m., with celebrity Grand Marshalls, Chapel Hart. You can watch the parade from the streets of Biloxi or live starting at 6:00 p.m. on WLOX ABC.
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