About

The American Rose Society(ARS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is focused on the appreciation of the rose. Established in Hershey Pennsylvania in 1892, the head quarters for the American Rose Society currently resides on 118 acres of gardens in Shreveport, LA, known as America’s Rose Garden. The American Rose Society was a founding member of the World Federation of Rose Societies, which provides additional benefits to all ARS members. The American Rose Society provides educational content through a bi monthly magazine,

American Rose, in addition to webinars and the Rose Forum. In support of the mission of the ARS, local rose societies exist around the country to provide local area educational support and rose enjoyment. Educational programs, competitive rose shows and noncompetitive rose displays, and a variety of rose related activities take place during the growing season.

Membership in the American Rose Society is open to all. Please go to the Join/Renew page to learn the many benefits of membership.

Meet the ARS Staff

Claire Bissell

Claire Bissell

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Brandy Boudreau

Brandy Boudreau

National Director of Membership & Development

Emily Hamann

Emily Hamann

Associate Editor & Marketing

Becky Smith

Becky Smith

Accounting / Human Resources

Tanya Cole

Tanya Cole

Membership Coordinator

Crystal Aaron

Crystal Aaron

Administrative & records

Don Morgan

Don Morgan

GARDEN MANAGER

don@rose.org
Ext. 110

Jennifer Peace

Jennifer Peace

Programs & Awards Coordinator

Beth Smiley

Beth Smiley

Publications Director

Ed Wallace

Ed Wallace

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Jack Bogues

Jack Bogues

Crew

Arthur Draper

Arthur Draper

crew

Roy LaCour, III

Roy LaCour, III

Crew

ARS Board

Board of Directors

President Craig Dorschel
Vice President Carrie Berg, Union Grove, WI
Treasurer Roger Brueckman, Waterloo, IL
President Emeritus Jim Hering, Marion, OH

Past presidents

Diane Sommers, Colgate, WI
Pat Shanley, Locust Valley, NY
Jolene Adams, Rio Vista, CA
Jeffrey Wyckoff, Des Moines, WA
Steven Jones, Fiddletown, CA
Marilyn Wellan, Alexandria, LA
Thomas Cairns, Studio City, CA
James Hering, Marion, OH 
Donald Ballin, Highland Park, IL

Regional Directors

Northeast Region – Toni Simonett, Westport, CT
Southeast Region – Robin Hough, Raleigh, NC
Northwest Region – Jolene Adams, Rio Vista, CA
Southwest Region – Kreg Hill, Palm Srings, CA

District Directors

Buckeye – Audrey Palumbo, Perrysburg, OH
Carolina – Kim Austin, Gaffney, SC
Central – Brendan Moore, Lincoln, NE
Colonial – Carol Fox, Doswell, VA
Deep South – Karen Prevatt, Hernando, FL
Great Lakes – Jim Riggle, Kincheloe, MI
Gulf – Billie Flynn, Alexandria, LA
Illinois-Indiana – Sharon Shipp, Rockford, IL
New York – Louis Arce, Fresh Meadows, NY
North Central – Brad Meyer, Apple Valley, MN
NCNH – Cynthia Phipps, Fair Oaks, CA
PNW- Mike Humphrey, Tigard, OR
PSW – Ruth Tiffany, San Diego, CA
Penn-Jersey – Judy Goss, Township, NJ
Rocky Mountain – Ron Royce, Colorado Springs, CA
South Central – Suzanne Gilbert, Spring, TX
Tenarky – Howard Carman, Big Springs, KY
Yankee – Jacqui Nye, Cranston, RI

American Rose Society