David Hanbery | CEO

David is one of the most respected leaders in the cheer industry, with a career dedicated to elevating the sport and creating opportunities for athletes worldwide. He has coached and choreographed hundreds of State, National, and World Championship teams, including Partner Stunt and Collegiate National Champions.

A true pioneer, David has founded successful gyms, served on industry boards, and created initiatives that shape the future of cheer. He founded Deep South Spirit and developed The Open Championship Series, later expanding as the owner of The Open and The All Star World Championship.

He is also a founder of eCheer.TV, bringing the sport to millions globally. The first male featured on the cover of a cheerleading magazine and one of the most published experts in the industry, David’s vision and leadership continue to drive innovation and opportunity at every level.

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 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 been instrumental in shaping the company’s growth and reputation as an industry leader.

A Cheer Daily 40 Under 40 award recipient, Kendall is passionate about creating unforgettable experiences for athletes, families, and coaches, and her leadership continues to raise the standard of excellence across the cheer industry.

Abel Rosa | Executive Director

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, overseeing more than 20 locations and 16,000 athletes during his tenure. 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. Now serving as Executive Director of Deep South Spirit, Abel continues to bring vision, leadership, and expertise to every part of the organization.