Linda Hong
Chapter President
Linda started her ballroom dance journey in 1970 when her Mother took her to an Arthur Murray dance in Chattanooga, TN. Two years later she started teaching at the same studio. She continued to teach at Arthur Murray’s in Atlanta, GA while attending college. After graduation she returned to Chattanooga and continue to teach at Arthur Murray’s and independent studio’s over the years.
When Linda remarried, she moved away to New York state and took a hiatus from dance. Upon returning to Chattanooga, she dusted off her dance shoes and became involved with USA Dance and Shall We Dance Club. Because of her involvement with the community Linda opened The Dance Floor studio in Chattanooga with her daughter Tammy and had one of the best studio’s in the area. Linda is now an independent instructor and continues to support dance at every opportunity.
Linda’s passion is to introduce dance to as many people as she can, especially the young. Because that is the future of ballroom dance. She believes that dance can take you around the world and introduce you some of the most wonderful people. She is looking forward to the next two years working on the board of USA Dance and helping the chapter grow.
Chapter President
Linda started her ballroom dance journey in 1970 when her Mother took her to an Arthur Murray dance in Chattanooga, TN. Two years later she started teaching at the same studio. She continued to teach at Arthur Murray’s in Atlanta, GA while attending college. After graduation she returned to Chattanooga and continue to teach at Arthur Murray’s and independent studio’s over the years.
When Linda remarried, she moved away to New York state and took a hiatus from dance. Upon returning to Chattanooga, she dusted off her dance shoes and became involved with USA Dance and Shall We Dance Club. Because of her involvement with the community Linda opened The Dance Floor studio in Chattanooga with her daughter Tammy and had one of the best studio’s in the area. Linda is now an independent instructor and continues to support dance at every opportunity.
Linda’s passion is to introduce dance to as many people as she can, especially the young. Because that is the future of ballroom dance. She believes that dance can take you around the world and introduce you some of the most wonderful people. She is looking forward to the next two years working on the board of USA Dance and helping the chapter grow.
Rachel Ghrist
Chapter Vice-President
Dance is imperative to my overall happiness. It all started in 2013 I was a recent divorcee and had lost both of my grandmothers to Alzheimer’s. I was looking for a healthy lifestyle change that would help me lose weight, and keep my brain active. I tried swimming, Zumba (fitness classes), weight training, paddle boarding, etc. While in Zumba class, I realized that I was not going to be able to do Zumba moves on the dance floor. So, I researched dance in the local community, and found dance opportunities in Chattanooga, TN. I went to my first dance lesson, I decided country and contemporary line dancing. Why, because I didn’t need a partner, of course. Then once in the dance community, I was informed that I did not need a partner to learn ballroom dance, either. A few years ago I started lessons in ballroom, and found my passion for dance. I have met so many fabulous dancers and instructors in the dance community from Chicago, IL to Chattanooga, TN.
Chapter Vice-President
Dance is imperative to my overall happiness. It all started in 2013 I was a recent divorcee and had lost both of my grandmothers to Alzheimer’s. I was looking for a healthy lifestyle change that would help me lose weight, and keep my brain active. I tried swimming, Zumba (fitness classes), weight training, paddle boarding, etc. While in Zumba class, I realized that I was not going to be able to do Zumba moves on the dance floor. So, I researched dance in the local community, and found dance opportunities in Chattanooga, TN. I went to my first dance lesson, I decided country and contemporary line dancing. Why, because I didn’t need a partner, of course. Then once in the dance community, I was informed that I did not need a partner to learn ballroom dance, either. A few years ago I started lessons in ballroom, and found my passion for dance. I have met so many fabulous dancers and instructors in the dance community from Chicago, IL to Chattanooga, TN.
Chet Delsignore
Secretary
Househusband, father of lots of kids, loving spouse to Kary. Former Air Force Marketing creative & advertising chief for the U. S. Air Force. Skilled in graphics (manual and computer), illustration, photography, videography, and public relations. Chet has 25 years of experience working for the Department of Defense and is a 21-year veteran of the Air Force Reserve. Loves playing guitar, artwork and listening to music.
Secretary
Househusband, father of lots of kids, loving spouse to Kary. Former Air Force Marketing creative & advertising chief for the U. S. Air Force. Skilled in graphics (manual and computer), illustration, photography, videography, and public relations. Chet has 25 years of experience working for the Department of Defense and is a 21-year veteran of the Air Force Reserve. Loves playing guitar, artwork and listening to music.
Robin Barrett
Treasurer
Robin was invited by a friend to a USA Dance over 13 years ago and fell in love with ballroom dancing. Robin met her husband, John, in the ballroom community. Robin is a CPA with over 22 years experience in Accounting & Tax.
Treasurer
Robin was invited by a friend to a USA Dance over 13 years ago and fell in love with ballroom dancing. Robin met her husband, John, in the ballroom community. Robin is a CPA with over 22 years experience in Accounting & Tax.
Del Sudkamp
Director of Music
Del will tell you that he has always been a bit of a klutz. Thus, ballroom dancing was not on his bucket list. But, in 2015 a coworker more or less shamed him into going to a dance class. For an introverted engineer, the class was a stretch. But he stuck with it and now, some may even argue that he is a pretty good dancer. But he will tell you that it was one of the best decisions he ever made and if he could learn to dance, then you can too. Del loves music and most things electronic, so the opportunity to provide the music for our USA Dances seemed like a perfect fit.
Del retired from TVA and currently works as an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer for Sargent & Lundy. Besides ballroom dancing, he enjoys bicycle touring, running, and movies.
Director of Music
Del will tell you that he has always been a bit of a klutz. Thus, ballroom dancing was not on his bucket list. But, in 2015 a coworker more or less shamed him into going to a dance class. For an introverted engineer, the class was a stretch. But he stuck with it and now, some may even argue that he is a pretty good dancer. But he will tell you that it was one of the best decisions he ever made and if he could learn to dance, then you can too. Del loves music and most things electronic, so the opportunity to provide the music for our USA Dances seemed like a perfect fit.
Del retired from TVA and currently works as an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer for Sargent & Lundy. Besides ballroom dancing, he enjoys bicycle touring, running, and movies.
Alicia Coller
Director of Publicity & Social Media
Alicia moved to Chattanooga from St. Louis, MO. She completed her B.S. Biology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Alicia has worked with Educational Talent Search and Upward Bound Math Science at UTC for 15 years. She has been volunteering with Chattanooga USA Dance since 2016.
Director of Publicity & Social Media
Alicia moved to Chattanooga from St. Louis, MO. She completed her B.S. Biology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Alicia has worked with Educational Talent Search and Upward Bound Math Science at UTC for 15 years. She has been volunteering with Chattanooga USA Dance since 2016.
Brad Dolan
Director of Membership
Brad was first introduced to Ballroom Dancing by his daughter Rose, who danced in high school and who later was a member of the University of North Carolina competitive dance team. Rose's hobby looked like fun so later when Brad was living in Delaware he started taking community classes sponsored by the University of Delaware. He has been dancing ever since.
Brad is originally from Friendsville, TN, and he was happy to move back to TN in 2010 to take a job with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Brad is a nuclear engineer manager supporting TVA's nuclear plants including Browns Ferry, Sequoyah and Watts Bar.
Brad met his wife Jerri dancing at Chattanooga's former dancing Mecca, Allemande hall. They will soon celebrate their 7th wedding anniversary together and reside in Ooltewah, TN. Brad and Jerri continue to take dancing lessons together and enjoy social dancing whenever there is an opportunity.
Brad is glad to have the opportunity to serve the Chattanooga dance community and hopes that he can help Chattanooga USA Dance resume its regular activities in 2021.
Director of Membership
Brad was first introduced to Ballroom Dancing by his daughter Rose, who danced in high school and who later was a member of the University of North Carolina competitive dance team. Rose's hobby looked like fun so later when Brad was living in Delaware he started taking community classes sponsored by the University of Delaware. He has been dancing ever since.
Brad is originally from Friendsville, TN, and he was happy to move back to TN in 2010 to take a job with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Brad is a nuclear engineer manager supporting TVA's nuclear plants including Browns Ferry, Sequoyah and Watts Bar.
Brad met his wife Jerri dancing at Chattanooga's former dancing Mecca, Allemande hall. They will soon celebrate their 7th wedding anniversary together and reside in Ooltewah, TN. Brad and Jerri continue to take dancing lessons together and enjoy social dancing whenever there is an opportunity.
Brad is glad to have the opportunity to serve the Chattanooga dance community and hopes that he can help Chattanooga USA Dance resume its regular activities in 2021.
Lori Maggs
Director of Hospitality
Lori is a Yankee transplant from Upstate NY. She began her ballroom dancing experience in 2010. Since then she has performed showcases and competed in ballroom competitions with her dance instructor, Denny Lennon and her former husband, Stephen. Lori has traveled to other chapters in her role as District 8 Director.
Lori currently is an independent contractor. When she's not dancing, Lori enjoys bowling, volunteering at her church and spending time with her grandchildren.
Director of Hospitality
Lori is a Yankee transplant from Upstate NY. She began her ballroom dancing experience in 2010. Since then she has performed showcases and competed in ballroom competitions with her dance instructor, Denny Lennon and her former husband, Stephen. Lori has traveled to other chapters in her role as District 8 Director.
Lori currently is an independent contractor. When she's not dancing, Lori enjoys bowling, volunteering at her church and spending time with her grandchildren.
Donald O'Connor
Board Member at Large
Donald began ballroom dancing over 20 years ago and has taken lessons and danced at all of Chattanooga's premier ballroom studios and dancers' clubs. His favorite genre is Latin. Donald also travels around the country playing in men's baseball tournaments, playing baseball all day and dancing all night at nearby venues. Donald retired from the Tennessee Valley Authority after a 42 year career as an Engineer.
Board Member at Large
Donald began ballroom dancing over 20 years ago and has taken lessons and danced at all of Chattanooga's premier ballroom studios and dancers' clubs. His favorite genre is Latin. Donald also travels around the country playing in men's baseball tournaments, playing baseball all day and dancing all night at nearby venues. Donald retired from the Tennessee Valley Authority after a 42 year career as an Engineer.