LaVerne Ligon was born in Washington, D. C. She attended the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet. Later, she joined the Capitol Ballet Company. She moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. In 1974, she successfully auditioned for a touring cast of Hello, Dolly! After completing that show, Ligon performed in a number of productions in Las Vegas, including Hallelujah Hollywood and Jubilee. She retired from dancing in the early 1980s after sustaining an injury and she opened the Simba Talent Agency, a dance school for at-risk youth.

Michael S. Mack is a realtor in Las Vegas, Nevada and a member of one of the founding families of the Southern Nevada Jewish community. Mack was born June 6, 1937 in Los Angeles, California to Louis and Lucille Mack. His family, including his uncles Nathan and Harry Mack, moved to Las Vegas in 1937, and were instrumental in the development of the valley and the establishment of the local Jewish community. Michael Mack graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1955 and pursued a career in real estate.