Kendall Hanbery
Vice President
Kendall brings a lifetime of cheerleading experience and passion to Deep South Spirit. A former competitive school and All-Star cheerleader, she earned multiple national titles at the All-Star level before cheering collegiately at Mississippi State University.
Her career includes serving as an All-Star director and coach at Central Mississippi Cheerleading, where her leadership helped the program earn Small Gym of the Year. Since joining Deep South Spirit in 2010, Kendall has played a key role in shaping the company’s growth and reputation as an industry leader.
Recognized as a Cheer Daily 40 Under 40 award recipient, Kendall is driven by a passion for creating unforgettable experiences and lasting memories for athletes, families, and coaches at every Deep South Spirit event. Her vision and leadership continue to elevate the standard of excellence across the cheer industry.
Abel Rosa
Executive Director of operations
Abel brings over 30 years of experience in the cheer industry, spanning gym ownership, event production, coaching, camps, uniform sales, and even speaking at conferences nationwide. He previously served as VP of Operations for events, with 15 years of leadership experience, and as VP of Premier Athletics, where he oversaw more than 20 locations and 16,000 athletes. Abel was also a gym owner and coach, leading one of the first competitive coed teams in the All Star space, and competed himself at the collegiate level.
Throughout his career, Abel has been recognized for building strong programs, developing leaders, and helping shape the growth of cheer on both the regional and national stage. Now serving as Executive Director of Deep South Spirit, he continues to bring vision, innovation, and expertise to every part of the organization, ensuring unforgettable experiences for athletes, coaches, and families alike.
Christina Schuster
Executive Director of sales
Christina grew up in Lawrenceville, GA, where she cheered and danced with the Atlanta Jayhawks before beginning a career that has spanned more than 15 years as a choreographer, coach, and consultant. Her work has impacted athletes and teams at every level of the industry, from local programs to national stages.
Since joining Deep South Spirit in 2018, Christina has been an integral part of the company, known for bringing creativity, organization, and insight to every event. Beyond her work with DSS, she has served as a board member and Vice Chair of CDIP and is a frequent conference speaker, presenting on topics such as professional development, leadership, and turning a passion for cheer into a lasting career. Dedicated to mentorship and growth, Christina continues to inspire both athletes and professionals throughout the cheer community.
Kellie Elliot
Director of customer experience
Kellie was born and raised in Elmira, New York, where she attended Elmira College and competed in multiple sports before graduating with a degree in science/education and a minor in theatre history. She began her cheer career as a summer camp instructor and in 2005 co-founded Pacific Coast MAGIC, which grew into the largest cheer brand on the West Coast with nine locations and international gyms in Costa Rica and Mexico. Under her leadership, PCM earned numerous National Championships and placed in the top ten at Cheerleading Worlds from 2012–2017.
Her accolades include being named California State Coach of the Year, serving on the USASF Regional and National Advisory Boards, and induction into the Elmira College Hall of Fame. Since joining Deep South Spirit in 2022, Kellie has brought a wealth of knowledge and passion to athletes and coaches across the country.
Kayla Wygal
Director of scoring & Education
Kayla has been part of the competitive cheer and dance industry for over 20 years. Originally from Charleston, WV, she holds degrees in Psychology and Counseling Psychology and now serves as Director of Scoring and Education for Deep South Spirit, overseeing judge hiring and training nationwide. She also partners with The Open Championship Series to provide judge education across the industry.
A former Division I cheerleader at Liberty University, Kayla has owned a competitive gym, coached at the collegiate level, and judged internationally in countries including Australia, Mexico, and Costa Rica. She continues to share her love for the sport locally through tumbling and acro classes, with a true passion for helping beginners build confidence and a lifelong love for cheer.
Sarah Labarbera
Executive Assistant
Sarah has over 16 years of experience in the cheerleading industry, beginning as a competitive Allstar cheerleader and advancing to an international Level 7 team at Stingray Allstars. She went on to cheer in college on scholarship, first at Columbus State University and later at Kennesaw State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing.
In addition to coaching and directing at the Allstar level, Sarah has built her career on combining her cheer experience with her expertise in sales, marketing, and client relations. As part of the leadership team at Deep South Spirit, she plays a key role in expanding the brand’s reach, developing lasting relationships with programs across the country, and helping shape the future of the company. Passionate about creating unforgettable event experiences, Sarah continues to serve as both a positive influence and a driving force in the industry.
Karley Dent
Director of communications
Karley has been part of the cheerleading world for over a decade, spending 10 years as an Allstar athlete and 6 years in school cheer. She went on to coach both Allstar and school teams for 11 years and even choreographed a national championship routine. As an Allstar and school choreographer, she has shared her expertise with countless athletes and programs, leaving a lasting impact on the athletes she has trained.
For the past five seasons, Karley has been a key part of Deep South Spirit, now serving as our Administrative Director. In this role, she keeps the company organized and on track with scheduling, logistics, and behind-the-scenes operations, ensuring that every event runs smoothly and efficiently. Known for her attention to detail and dedication, Karley plays an essential role in helping DSS deliver unforgettable experiences for athletes, coaches, and families.
Claudia Cade
Administrative Assistant
Claudia’s passion for cheer began at a young age and grew through her years as a competitive athlete—many of which were spent at Deep South events, where she first fell in love with the energy and community of the sport. She went on to cheer at Holmes Community College before turning her love for the sport into a career. Since joining the Deep South staff in 2021, Claudia has become an essential part of the administrative team, focusing on registration and ensuring teams are supported every step of the way. Her dedication and enthusiasm shine through as she helps create memorable experiences for athletes season after season.
JD Hanbery
Director of production
JD has been part of Deep South Spirit his entire life, growing up in the world of Allstar cheer before continuing his athletic career at the University of Mississippi. During his four years on the Ole Miss Cheerleading team, JD not only represented the Rebels on the sidelines but also competed at the national level, earning a gold medal at College Game Day Nationals. His experiences as both an athlete and competitor have given him a strong foundation in teamwork, discipline, and leadership.
In addition to his cheer career, JD is graduating with a degree in Business and is the CEO and founder of Just Sip, a growing hydration brand. His entrepreneurial vision and commitment to innovation reflect the same drive and passion he brings to Deep South Spirit. With his lifelong connection to the company, JD continues to play an important role in its growth, blending his industry knowledge, creative energy, and leadership skills to help shape the future of Deep South.
Jeremy Lumpkin
Director of events
Jeremy’s cheerleading career is decorated with some of the highest honors in the sport. As a 3x College D1A National Champion with the University of Kentucky (‘08, ‘09, ‘10) and a 3x ICU World Champion with Team USA Coed (‘11, ‘12, ‘17), his experience speaks for itself. He also claimed the 2012 ICU Partner Stunt World Championship and a Pan American Games title with Team USA in 2019. Transitioning his success to the coaching side, Jeremy led Jones College to three College Open Coed National Championships (‘21, ‘22, ‘24). Over his 20-year career, he has instructed camps in five countries and directed his own company, Gem of Champions, LLC (‘11–‘20). A dedicated member of the Deep South Spirit team for over a decade, Jeremy brings unmatched expertise and passion to everything he does.