President
Operational Vice President
Operational Vice President
Cherie Groninger
Cherie is an Army intel veteran and grew up in Shreveport. She met her husband, Luke, while on active duty at Fort Hood, TX. They've been married since 2013 and have 2 children, Hudson and Kennedy. After leaving active duty, Cherie returned to school and graduated from Centenary College in 2019. She is currently a Key Spou
Cherie Groninger
Cherie is an Army intel veteran and grew up in Shreveport. She met her husband, Luke, while on active duty at Fort Hood, TX. They've been married since 2013 and have 2 children, Hudson and Kennedy. After leaving active duty, Cherie returned to school and graduated from Centenary College in 2019. She is currently a Key Spouse for 2 SFS and works with her husband as a military financial advisor to help our families reach their goals and get squared away. In her free time, Cherie volunteers at her church, Northpoint Community, eats way too much local food, and then balances it all out by teaching nutritional cooking demos at a weight loss clinic. She plans to either start sommelier training or grad school soon bc she just can't sit still. Cherie is excited to serve on the board this next year and to make some great memories with amazing people.
Operational Vice President
Operational Vice President
Operational Vice President
Lisa Solorza
Lisa has been a military spouse for 6 years. Barksdale is her 3rd base and has been stationed here since May 2019. She has 2 kids, Carter and Jaylynn and a little dog Ava. She's always ready to meet up for lunch or a fun girls night out and loves to meet new people. Lisa is excited for the new roles she is taking on and can't wait to meet so many amazing spouses here at Barksdale!
Charitable Treasurer and Scholarship Co-Chair
Charitable Treasurer and Scholarship Co-Chair
Charitable Treasurer and Scholarship Co-Chair
Rachel Penwell
Rachel is from Louisiana, born and raised in Shreveport! She has been married to her husband, Kevin, for 14 years, and they have 13 year old twins. Rachel has been on spouses boards since becoming a military spouse and loves the community and togetherness that it provides. Rachel is also a very active member in the local com
Rachel Penwell
Rachel is from Louisiana, born and raised in Shreveport! She has been married to her husband, Kevin, for 14 years, and they have 13 year old twins. Rachel has been on spouses boards since becoming a military spouse and loves the community and togetherness that it provides. Rachel is also a very active member in the local community where she is part of many different organizations. She also serves as the the Lead Key Spouse for the 2nd Munitions Squadron at Barksdale. In her spare time you can find Rachel on the soccer field or traveling with her children.
Shamrock Shuffle Fundraising Chair
Charitable Treasurer and Scholarship Co-Chair
Charitable Treasurer and Scholarship Co-Chair
Courtney Vanni
Courtney is a Registered Nurse (RN) in Shreveport, Louisiana, and just completed her Master’s degree in Nursing. Her husband Nick serves as an active duty Air Force SNCO in the Barksdale Command Post, and he represented Barksdale in the Army 10-miler in 2019 in Washington, D.C. Together with their two children, Peyton and Ta
Courtney Vanni
Courtney is a Registered Nurse (RN) in Shreveport, Louisiana, and just completed her Master’s degree in Nursing. Her husband Nick serves as an active duty Air Force SNCO in the Barksdale Command Post, and he represented Barksdale in the Army 10-miler in 2019 in Washington, D.C. Together with their two children, Peyton and Taylor, they love traveling and playing at the park. Courtney enjoys cooking (especially baking), reading, movies, and spin class in her free time. She is ready to serve her first year on the board and make some great memories doing so!
Parliamentarian
Secretary and Membership Chair
Secretary and Membership Chair
Maria Vasquez
Mary C. was born in Louisiana but raised in Colombia. She has been a military spouse for 15 years and is currently working as a DoD civilian for the 2d Logistics Readiness Squadron. Mary C. arrived in Barksdale late August 2020, and this is her fourth PCS.
Secretary and Membership Chair
Secretary and Membership Chair
Secretary and Membership Chair
Gabrielle Collantes
Gabrielle has been a military spouse for 3 years and stationed with with her husband Joshua at Barksdale for 2. Being a new military spouse, Gabrielle understands how overwhelming everything can be. She is still learning every day and would love to help you with the knowledge she already has or connect you to the many resources out there. You are never alone in this journey!
Social Co-Chair
Nicole Gray
Nicole has served in several capacities on different spouses' club boards and is excited to help connect with spouses, serve the community, and help others here at Barksdale AFB.
Public Relations
Public Relations and Ways and Means
Public Relations and Ways and Means
Tessa Miller-Staib
Tessa was born and raised in Kansas City. She met her husband, Curtis, in Colorado in 2016. They married in 2019 and moved to Barksdale AFB from Keesler AFB in January 2020. Together they have two dogs and enjoy exploring all the good food Shreveport-Bossier has to offer.
Public Relations and Ways and Means
Public Relations and Ways and Means
Public Relations and Ways and Means
Hannah Kelly
Hannah Kelly lives in Shreveport, Louisiana, with her husband of seven years, Zak, and four furbabies. A north LA native, she received her BA in English Literature from Louisiana State University and has a background in education. Hannah serves as Key Spouse for her husband's squadron and as Marketing and Communications Direct
Hannah Kelly
Hannah Kelly lives in Shreveport, Louisiana, with her husband of seven years, Zak, and four furbabies. A north LA native, she received her BA in English Literature from Louisiana State University and has a background in education. Hannah serves as Key Spouse for her husband's squadron and as Marketing and Communications Director of MSAN. Some of her favorite things include felt-tipped pens, new book smell, true crime podcasts, and cool sneakers!
Scholarship Co-Chair
Jennifer Parris
Jennifer has been at Barksdale AFB for 2 years. She moved here from Japan with active duty husband, (now) teen son and one rescue dog. She spent 20 years in the Air Force and is an active community volunteer including having served as Vice President of Belvoir Officers' Spouse Club (banner years for raising scholarships f
Jennifer Parris
Jennifer has been at Barksdale AFB for 2 years. She moved here from Japan with active duty husband, (now) teen son and one rescue dog. She spent 20 years in the Air Force and is an active community volunteer including having served as Vice President of Belvoir Officers' Spouse Club (banner years for raising scholarships funds!), President of the Yokota Swim Team Booster Club, Key Spouse, Co-lead of the Hiring our Heroes Military Spouse Professional Professional Network-Yokota Chapter and as a volunteer with the National Military Family Association. She was previously employed as part of the military transition team at Yokota Air Base. Currently, she is a religious school educator and an animal rescue volunteer (and so far, has come home with only one new family member). When she is not helping others (2 and 4 legged), she can be found on deck at pools around the region cheering on her favorite competitive swimmer.
Historian and Photographer
Historian and Photographer
Historian and Photographer
Hana Melville
Hana has been at Barksdale for a short time after moving from Oklahoma! She has two kids, a wonderful husband, and an Irish doodle. Hana has her Master's in social work and is an advocate of mental health services. She is currently staying at home with her two sons while running her cake and French macaron business. If she is
Hana Melville
Hana has been at Barksdale for a short time after moving from Oklahoma! She has two kids, a wonderful husband, and an Irish doodle. Hana has her Master's in social work and is an advocate of mental health services. She is currently staying at home with her two sons while running her cake and French macaron business. If she isn't baking, she's chasing her two sons or doing something crafty. She is excited to photograph the amazing moments of the Barksdale Spouses' Club!
Retired Spouses Liason
Historian and Photographer
Historian and Photographer
Lyn Burke
Lynette (Lyn) relocated here last year from the Los Angeles area to be closer to family and her new granddaughter. She has been married for 44 years to her husband Mark, who is a retired Air Force officer (B-52 crew member) and retired DoD employee. She is no stranger to Barksdale AFB since she and her husband were stationed her
Lyn Burke
Lynette (Lyn) relocated here last year from the Los Angeles area to be closer to family and her new granddaughter. She has been married for 44 years to her husband Mark, who is a retired Air Force officer (B-52 crew member) and retired DoD employee. She is no stranger to Barksdale AFB since she and her husband were stationed here during Desert Storm (back in the day as she likes to call it) in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Being new to many locations and military bases over the last 40+ years, (where she lists her favorite assignments as Edwards AFB, CA and Los Angeles Air Force Base/Space Systems Command), she knows it can be difficult to get involved in local social endeavors without the help of organizations like the Barksdale Spouses Club. Lyn is a graduate of Louisiana Tech (Go Bulldogs!), is interested in anything related to aviation and enjoys working out (especially walking, biking and yoga).