Board Members
Samantha Bates AIFD, CFD, CF President
Samantha is the owner of Especially For You Floral in Ponchatoula, LA. She was the 2014 Louisiana State Designer of the Year, inducted into AIFD in 2016, named Top 35 Under 35 in 2017 by Florist Review Magazine, the Jim Johnson Cup winner of 2018, and competed in the International Gateway to Americas Cup in 2018. Samantha was also chosen to compete in the FTD Americas Cup, advancing to the final round and placing TOP 4.
Amy Jo Spence, Vice President
Bio Coming Soon!
Annie Venable AIFD, CFD, CF Treasurer
Annie is a second generation florist, with a passion for designing. She became Licensed by the state of Louisiana in 1976 while still in high school. She is currently the lead designer and owner of Leona Sue's Florist in Scott, LA. Annie Earned her CFD in 2017 and was inducted into AIFD in 2018. Annie also holds her CF accreditation.
Karen Kidder, Secretary
Karen is the owner and lead florist of La Jonction Florist: Wedding & Event Planner in Arnaudville, LA. She received her florist license with the state of Louisiana in 2003, but has been working in the floral industry for over 20 years! Through the years, her passion for weddings and event planning has grown and blossomed into the business she heads today. She enjoys giving back to her community, dancing the weekends away with her husband, camping, and spoiling her two grandchildren.
Benette Thibodeaux CF, LMF, Board Member
Benette has been a floral designer for 42 years. She has served on LSFA board from 1987-1992, and president of Acadiana Allied Florist Association. She was the 1998 Louisiana State Designer of the Year and was honored in 2005 with the LSFA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Lucinda Peltier AIFD, CFD, LMF Board Member
Bio coming soon!
Barbara Bailey, Board Member
Graduate of Houston School of Flowers and the Benz School of Floral Design. Received my CFD certification in 2018. Owner of Taylor Lane’s Florist, a design studio.
Katy Domingue, Board Member
Bio coming soon!
Cathy Sonnier Board Member
Bio coming soon!
Bridget Joslin CFD, CF Board Member
Bio coming soon!
Kathy Trahan, Wholesale
Bio coming soon!
Gary Bullock, Past President
Gary is the current Past President of LSFA and is also serving as Commissioner on Louisiana Horticulture Commission. He is manager and designer at Town and Country Florist in Berwick, LA. A native of Ruston, Gary has spent the past 15 years living in Morgan City.