Shreveport-Bossier Float Riders and Walkers
|
Amber DeFatta Amber DeFatta is one of the thousands of children whose life was changed by Shriners Children’s Hospital. After receiving care for Trevor’s Disease, a rare bone condition found in one in 1,000,000 children, DeFatta is now a volunteer at the hospital and helps to raise awareness for the care they provide to children throughout Louisiana. She will be riding on the Louisiana Office of Tourism float at the 2023 Rose Parade®, representing Shriners Children’s Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. |
Carrie Bergs
2023 Rose Parade® Walker
Carrie Bergs is a passionate grower of over 400 roses in Union Grove, WI. She has been a member of the American Rose Society since 2012 and is currently serving as a three-year term as treasurer. She is also co-chairing the 2023 ARS National Convention & Rose Show “Time for Roses––Come home to America’s Rose Garden” to be held at the American Rose Center in Shreveport, May 5-7. With a background in marketing, development, and non-profit management, Carrie is committed to ensuring the growth and success of the American Rose Society and promoting America’s Rose Garden! She thinks of Shreveport as a second home and is looking forward to crawfish season!
Diane Sommers
2023 Rose Parade® Walker
Diane Sommers is the 57th President of the American Rose Society (ARS). She has been growing roses for over forty years and currently grows over 200 varieties. Diane has served as ARS Treasurer, NCD District Director and Region 5 Regional Director in addition to chairing many ARS Committees. Most recently, as chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, Diane spearheaded the implementation of technology solutions that increase access to quality programs and speakers for consulting rosarians (CRs), local rose societies and members. Diane is a past president of two local rose societies and has been awarded the ARS Silver Honor Award and two Bronze Honor Awards for her contributions. She has also been recognized with the ARS Outstanding Consulting Rosarian Award and the ARS Outstanding Judge Award for service. Diane is an ARS Master Rosarian, and Accredited Horticulture and Arrangement Judge. Diane holds an MBA from UW-Milwaukee and has led financial organizations and international contract negotiations for over 35 years.
Stacy A. Brown
President and CEO,
Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau
Stacy A. Brown has served as President of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau for 28 years and has more than 36 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. She has earned her Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) from Destinations International. She currently serves on a number of boards including the National Scenic Byway Foundation, the Louisiana Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus, as well as local boards. Stacy is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University. She has served as a mentor for high school and university students in the communications, journalism and marketing fields. An active member in her church, Stacy has taught Sunday school and served as a leader for Awanas. Along with her husband Gary, Stacy lives in the Benton area. They have two children and two grandchildren.
Katharyn DeVille
Vice President of Marketing and Communications,
Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau
Prior to joining the travel industry, Katharyn DeVille enjoyed a 30+ year career in TV news and marketing both at the local and corporate levels. Her communications career began in Shreveport and took her to New Orleans and Dallas, TX. She also earned many awards, including a regional Murrow Award and three regional Emmy Awards. Her career focus turned to marketing during her tenure at WFAA which led her to move to WFAA’s (former) parent company, BELO Corporation, as Digital Marketing & Product Manager. Her second stint in the corporate media realm was as a Regional Marketing Director for Raycom Media. Over the course of her career, Katharyn has worked at the three major stations in her adopted hometown of Shreveport. Katharyn currently serves as a Commissioner and student mentor with the Commission for Women of Bossier City. Katharyn and her husband, Charles, are fortunate to have a lot of family in the area, including one daughter who is attending Centenary College.
