Meet the Team

From a Vision to Reality

It all started in the living room. My wife and I created this from scratch. The vision came to me, and she was instrumental in pulling this incredible vision out of my head and putting it to pen. Then we orchestrated the execution. It’s been one of our most rewarding projects together, and I love that we can call it ours, but it’s so far beyond “ours.”

We may be the driving force behind the experience, but it’s YOUR show. We do this for YOU. That sentiment captures what Mopar Heaven is all about. It’s not just a car show. It’s a community-driven experience designed to feel inclusive, thrilling, and personal.

Wearing Every Hat, From Marketing to Mopar Concierge

If you think being an event organizer is just about contracts and logistics, think again. We all wear many hats: marketing, operations, hospitality, even janitorial. Yes, we clean up after you! Whatever it takes to make the event successful.

One thing people don’t always see is the entire team keeping energy high while solving problems behind the scenes. Most don’t see the last-minute changes, the tension, and the event-day mess-ups that we handle to keep Mopar Heaven smooth and public facing. It’s taken us a long time to get to a place where we can do that, keep a smile on our faces, and keep the hype at level 1000. That balancing act is what keeps the experience seamless for attendees, even when the unexpected happens.

A Community Built on Passion, Not Just Cars

Ask me about my favorite personal build and the answer isn’t about specs or trophies. The moments my builds have brought us to this day are my build wins. I used to chase the trophies, the big wins, the best-ofs, and the largest group awards. But I’ve learned over the years that it was never about a trophy. For me, it’s been about the journey.

That philosophy shines through in every detail of the event. It’s not about showing off. It’s about showing up and sharing what drives you with people who will genuinely love your build, no matter what your budget is. It brings a happy, peaceful experience that our attendees crave, and the camaraderie. Don’t get me wrong, the show competition is rough. Our judging team has a hell of a job each year, the builds keep getting bigger, better, and more advanced, and owners love to do their reveals at the show.

Defining Moments and Lasting Memories

While every event holds special memories, there’s one that stands out. We Are Mopar 2 will always have a special place in my heart. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. It was an absolute beating from the track, attendees, staff, and social media. Everywhere we turned, during and after the event, was incredibly humbling. So many things went right and so many things went wrong, which is unfortunately what brought the most attention.

But our team stuck through it all. Many would have given up. Instead, we sat down and said, “How do we make sure this never happens again?” and look at us now. That resilience is part of what keeps Mopar Heaven growing each year and gives us the courage to keep building on our base show.

Why Mopar Heaven Is Different

You’ll hear it from the fans as much as from the founder: Mopar Heaven isn’t just another show. The experience is one of a kind. We’ve heard it time and time again that Mopar Heaven will absolutely spoil attendees when they go back home and roll up to a parking lot show or a hotel meet and greet.

Our focus will always be our attendees, not how we can outshine another event. We love to go to other events and experience what everyone in the Mopar scene has to offer. We get inspired and excited. Other organizers have attended our show, or watched from afar, and used a portion of what they gleaned from us to level up, which we love. Replication of something amazing is the best compliment we get.

I stand on this statement: once you take part in Mopar Heaven, your Mopar blood will physically require you to come back for more. There’s no turning back.

Looking Ahead

Evolution is always tough to explain because it’s forever changing. But I see more happy moments, more one-of-a-kind experiences, and tons of happy families confirming that their time with us was worth it. There’s already a plan in place for what’s to come, and YOU are included. We work hard every year to enhance what we accomplished the year before, dial in on the areas that need a little tweak, and grow as an organization.

The Personal Side: Community and Family

When I’m asked what the community means to me personally, I have to say it’s everything. It’s given me so much, and I’ve put so much effort into feeding back into this project. I met my wife because of this community, and she’s directly responsible for helping me turn this vision into reality.

This is our family legacy. My parents have their hands in this event. My nephews have all been there from young kids to teenagers and now men who have achieved leadership positions within the event. My brothers both come and support the show with their own areas to run, and my sister helps my parents all weekend and leading up to event weekend.

When we need something done, our leadership team and our family are the ones willing to drop everything to do whatever needs to be done to make the show happen each year. I cannot tell you how much we love having these individuals cheering us on, not as bystanders but by helping us build the Murillo legacy and being genuinely excited about its success. Hearing how proud they are of us means more than any other accolade we could receive.

Final Word: Why You Should Be Here

If you’ve been debating whether to make the trip to Texas for this event, here’s my advice: give it a shot. There’s a reason Mopar Heaven has been represented by Moparians from all over the USA and beyond. This is the Ultimate Mopar Experience, and it belongs on your bucket list. The value is overwhelming. From passion projects to powerhouse events, Mopar Heaven proves what happens when dedication meets community spirit.

If you haven’t been yet and wonder what the feel of the show is, I’ll sum it up in one statement: there’s always room for one more in the family. We look forward to our ten-year anniversary, dubbed MHX, and we cannot wait to show you what we’ve got in store.

A Few Fun Facts

Answers may or may not bring prizes at Mopar Bingo!

• Where am I from? Bred in Tijuana (according to my parents), born in Dallas, with my roots in Guanajuato, Mexico.
• Event day hype song? “God’s Plan” by Drake.
• Beer, wine, or liquor? Tequila, in the form of an artfully crafted Paloma.
• Fun fact: I’m a real-life Ninja Turtle. No really, I’m Leonardo.
• Favorite part of Mopar Heaven? The feedback we receive each year from attendees. Seeing the smiles, the moments, and the memories created mean everything to us.
• Best party trick? The more I drink, the better I dance (ask my wife, lol).
• This is not my “real job,” we do this for fun: I am a licensed Texas Realtor and the CEO of my own marketing firm, Social Driven.
• One thing people always get wrong about me: I started in the car scene in a Honda. Before you ask, there is proof, and yes, I was the man in that bagged Honda, with suicide doors and a sound system that mirrored a Limp Bizkit concert.

Roots, Vision, and Ten Years Later

Mopar Heaven became an idea back in 2015. It wasn’t a big corporate idea. It was just me and my husband sitting in our living room talking about how we wanted to bring people in the Mopar community together in the DFW area. We sketched out what we wanted the show to feel like, searched for venues, and landed on Gas Monkey Live. It was perfect. We launched our first show and had over 1,000 cars registered in just a few weeks.

Planning: My Hands Are in Every Decision

A lot of people don’t realize just how many moving parts there are, or that I’m not sitting on the sidelines watching things happen. I’m in it. Planning Mopar Heaven takes about 7 to 8 months, if not more. Before the show, I’m deep in every detail, from when you first enter the track to securing the hotel blocks, apparel design ideas, registration, Mopar Bingo, and everything in between.

I’ve come to accept that event weekend and track day are triage mode for me. Problems always come up at the gates, with logistics, registration, and the track. There isn’t a year that goes by without at least one catastrophic change to work around, and that’s where I shine.

Evolution and Change

One of my proudest moments has been adding Mopar Bingo to the mix. It really changed the whole vibe, adding an “after-hours” feel. I remember the first Mopar Bingo we hosted, standing there looking around at everyone relaxing after a long day at the track, drinks in hand, laughing, and winning prizes. That’s the heart of what I wanted this event to be: more than just cars, a true community experience. Mopar Bingo has evolved into something with a little more hype. IYKYK!

More Than Parked Cars and Lawn Chairs

What sets Mopar Heaven apart? It’s not just a car show, it’s a full experience, a destination if you will. There’s something for everyone: show your car, bring your kids for their own fun, take laps on the Great American Speedway, drift, burn your tires off in the pit, and meet people you’ve only talked to online. For a lot of people, it’s a bucket-list event, and I love knowing we create something people want to come back to again and again.

I love the challenge of creating something new and different each year that keeps long-time attendees intrigued enough to keep coming back. We work the baseline each year and push the limits on the features.

My Personal Mopar Heartbreak and Rebounding

My favorite personal build? That’s a tough one. My first Mopar was a 2017 Destroyer Grey Hellcat named PTRONUS. She got stolen. Then we custom-ordered a black Redeye Charger, DMENTOR, and a week after the show in 2023, she was stolen too. That one was special: full matte PPF, carbon fiber accents, and racing slicks on the back. These days I’m rolling in a white Jeep Summit named HEDWHIG. But DMENTOR will always hold a place in my heart. She’s still my Facebook cover photo. (Notice a theme in naming my builds?)

Just WAIT for the next one. She’ll be a SEMA car for 2027, built together with my husband. I already have her name.

Community and Commitment

This community means the world to me. I met my husband through the Mopar scene. Our first date? A car show, of course. Building something that brings people together, something they’re willing to travel for and spend time and money on, is humbling. It’s not lost on me how special that is for so many people. We’ve had marriage proposals, baby gender reveals, and even a wedding last year! This is the place you want to be if you’re a Moparian. It just makes sense.

If you’re on the fence about coming for the first time, my advice is simple: do it. You won’t regret it. Come through the gates well rested with an open mind, because your day will fly by, and it’ll take days to unpack all the fun you have.

For the Tenured Attendees

For those who’ve been coming year after year, thank you. Loyalty can be bought in some circles, but not here. You all come back because you love the experience. It really has nothing to do with the organizers, and that means everything to us.

Planning Shenanigans

Planning this show isn’t easy. The biggest stress is making sure everything is planned down to the tiniest detail and having a backup plan for when things go sideways, which they always do at some point.

But when I look around during show weekend and see the smiles, the laughter, and the genuine moments happening all around me, it’s all worth it. I’ll be honest: show weekend, I cry at least once from sheer exhaustion and at least once from sheer anger every year. That’s just part of it. If you see me calmly walking out of the nearest bathroom a little cloudy-eyed, mind your business! At the end of the day, nothing beats seeing how many people from all over the world come together because of this crazy thing we started in our living room.

Final Words

Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, welcome to the family. You’re now part of a grounded, loyal group of people who know what real community feels like. We spend our time building each other up, not gatekeeping ideas, and offering advice to those who want to start their own shows all over the world. We’ve been in the scene long enough to have taken advice and given it, and we’re genuinely happy when we see something get off the ground. That is what drives us: to leave a positive legacy for those who understand what it means to be part of something much bigger than just a day at a track.

A Few Fun Facts

Answers may or may not bring prizes at Mopar Bingo!

• Where am I from? I’m a Carolina girl, now a Texan, with my roots in Coahuila, Mexico.
• Beer, wine, or liquor? Jameson Reserve, neat.
• Fun fact: I’m a polyglot. I speak multiple languages, but if I’m MAD mad, my verbal attack will be in Spanish, cutting and very unladylike.
• Event day hype song? “Crazy Train,” Ozzy of course!
• Best party trick? I’m either 100% in and drinking until I cannot stand up, or I’m not drinking at all. There is zero in between (please see Mopar Bingo 2025)!
• One thing people always get wrong about me: I’m really a kindhearted, sweet Southern lady. My leadership style and RBF have always been on point. I am a true lady (thus my moniker, “Lady Octane”). I had a XV, a Sweet 16, and was a debutante at the yearly Carolina Governors Ball when I turned 18. I’m rather refined for a Mopar chick, as are many of us!
• Guilty pleasure? Travel, hands down. I’m ready to jump on a flight to anywhere near a beach, good food, a church that’s over 100 years old, or a quiet place to read.

How I Got Involved

I started out helping wherever I could. Over time, I took on more responsibilities, and picking up a camera became my way of bringing value to the event. From there, it just kept growing.

My Role Before, During, and After the Event

Before Mopar Heaven, I’m planning, prepping for the weekend, and assembling my media team. During the event, I’m filming, executing, and capturing all the big moments. After the event, I’m posting content and keeping the hype alive for the next one.

One Thing People Don’t Realize I Handle

I’m editing and posting on the fly throughout the event to keep the energy high and the audience engaged in real time.

My Favorite Personal Build

Hades, to me, is the most special build out there. I washed Hades as a child, running around with my uncle at car shows and trying to convince people to vote for us, just a kid. The deal was, if I made straight A’s all through high school, the car would be my graduation gift. I had a goal and made it happen. The week after graduation, I was handed the keys. I love the evolution of my build. It tells an incredible story if you pay attention to the details.

A Proud Memory

Watching my family pull off an amazing weekend while having a blast at the same time.

What Sets Mopar Heaven Apart

I’ll let the people answer that one. Our focus is simple: give the Mopar community the best time, the best activities, and an event they will never forget.

My Vision for the Future

I see Mopar Heaven hosting multiple events every year, expanding the experience to even more Mopar fans.

What the Community Means to Me

The friendships, connections, and passion behind the badass cars make this community special.

Advice for First-Time Attendees

It’s a lonely fence to be on. Come hang out with thousands of Mopar owners and have a great time. You won’t regret it.

A Few Fun Facts

Answers may or may not bring prizes at Mopar Bingo!

• Event day hype song? “We Are Mopar” by Kreative Kontrol ft. Mr. Moparian. No question.
• Where are you from? From the land of lifted trucks and loud Hemis.
• Beer, wine, or liquor? I don’t discriminate, but liquor please.
• One thing people don’t know about you? If I told you, everyone would know.
• Favorite part of Mopar Heaven? Driving my car around Texas Motor Speedway during the event.

How I Got Here

I didn’t start out in this role. I showed up at Gas Monkey Live in year one looking to help wherever I could. Gate guard was my first job, but as the years rolled on, I picked up more and more responsibility until I landed here.

Planning, Networking, and Using My Contacts

Before the show, I spend a lot of time connecting with potential vendors and helping them become part of the Mopar Heaven family. During the event, I’m the go-to for making sure vendors know where they’re set up, that they have what they need, and that things run as they should. Afterward, I follow up with each one to see how we can improve their experience or help them lock in bigger and better real estate for the next round.

Candidly, my role isn’t limited to vendors. Once the vendors are set up and ready for the day, anything and everything is what I do. If something needs to get handled, I step in and get it done. That’s just part of being in the Mopar Heaven crew. We take care of what needs to be done. We are not a group that practices “stay in my lane.” We are there to get the show up and moving and to make sure everyone is having the best time we can possibly show them.

Advice to Vendors: Read, Understand, and Ask Questions About Setup

For new vendors coming in and our veterans, the number one thing that makes show day easier for everyone is setting up on Friday, before event day. Second, make sure you and your team have your proper credentials before event day.

Getting to the track on Friday, finding your spot, dropping off most of your setup, and locking in your game plan for the weekend will eliminate chaos on event day. It saves everyone stress, and all that’s left for you is showing up and connecting with the thousands of people coming by your booth.

Mopar Heaven Exudes Originality

What sets Mopar Heaven apart? It’s not just another car show. We don’t phone it in. Every year, we aim to raise the bar, not just for the cars, but for the entire experience. We’ve even been called the “Super Bowl of Mopar events,” and I think that speaks for itself. We create a unique experience, which over the past few years has set the tone for other shows. We work hard to be leaders and inspiration in our community.

What’s Next for Mopar Heaven?

For the future, I’d love to see Mopar Heaven hit the road and go on tour: new cities, new states. That’s the vision I have for the evolution of Mopar Heaven.

Final Thoughts

What matters most to me is the community itself. Mopar Heaven has introduced me to some of the closest people in my life. I’ve met great friends and made lasting memories because of this show.

If you’re on the fence about coming out, let me say this: we have redefined the title “car show.” We are a destination, an experience. You will not find another Mopar weekend that offers what Mopar Heaven does.

A Few Fun Facts

Answers may or may not bring prizes at Mopar Bingo!

• Where are you from? Born in Chicago, live in the DFW (Waxahachie, to be exact).
• Beer, wine, or liquor? Name your poison: liquor.
• One thing we don’t know about you? I’m the father of a teenage daughter and a newborn baby girl! H-E-L-P me!!
• Favorite part of Mopar Heaven? Seeing everyone enjoying themselves and connecting with other Moparians from all over.