Rogers honored for service to community
Ricky Rogers, general manager and chief operations officer at East Ridge Country Club, proudly wears many titles – husband, father and coach, to name a few – but now, he can add Mr. Shreveport to the list.
Unbeknownst to Rogers, Ellen Ballard, of the Downtown Optimist Club, nominated Rogers for the award. The Downtown Optimist Club is a branch of an International Association of more than 2,900 clubs around the world, dedicated to “bringing out the best in kids.” Adult volunteers help with service projects in the community and help to encourage young people.
After being told he had won, Rogers couldn’t believe it.
“I believe there are many others in our community who deserve this honor more than I do, however, I am extremely honored to have been selected,” Rogers said.
Rogers has lived in Shreveport most of his adult life. “I just love the people here,” Rogers said. “Shreveport is a very warm, friendly city with plenty to do. Thanks to the vision of men before us, we have a great highway system and can get anywhere in town in about 15 minutes. I can’t see myself living anywhere else.”
Rogers is married to his wife of 28 years, Melanie, and together they have two children, Lauren and Stephen.
Rogers, who graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1983, is no stranger to community service and hard work. Having been employed in the past at Piccadilly Cafeteria, McLane Foodservice, Porters Fine Dry-cleaning and Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club, Rogers found his niche at East Ridge Country Club.
He also enjoys attending First Presbyterian Church and serving on various boards, such as the Board of Directors for the Better Business Bureau and the Shreveport Bossier Executive Association. Rogers also served on the C.E. Byrd Foundation Board of Directors, was past president of the Byrd Baseball Booster Club, and is a former YMCA basketball coach, tennis captain and Shreveport Little League Coach. In his spare time, Rogers also works with area schools with time and food donations, and happily employees approximately forty high school or college students each summer.
“I plan to continue to work hard and hopefully set an example for the young people that I come in contact with and who work for me,” Rogers said.
Rogers is a strong believer in team effort, both in his personal life and business life. “Any success that I have experienced is only because I have some great people around me,” Rogers said. “From my family to my co-workers to many dear friends, I am who I am because of these people.”
When asked about his goals for the immediate future, Rogers can’t imagine being any happier than he is now. “I hope to be right where I am in the next five to 10 years,” Rogers said. “However, I do hope I will make more time to volunteer and get even more involved in my church and with various community projects.”
As Mr. Shreveport, Rogers also has a vision for Shreveport-Bossier City. “I hope to see a change of attitude in the mindset of Shreveport Bossier citizens,” Rogers said. “We have some great things happening in our area and some really big opportunities on the horizon.
“Instead of people complaining about how bad our economy is and how times are tough, we need to see the glass as half full and get excited about all of the good things happening in the area that put us ahead of other cities.” Rogers will be honored 6:30 p.m. April 8 at East Ridge Country Club.
–Betsy St. Amant
