Guest speaker for the Thursday, April 2 noon meeting of the Minden Lions Club will be Kem Smelser with the area Roots for Boots program.

A Shreveport native, Kem graduated from C.E. Byrd High School and studied aeronautics at LA Tech University before completing an Aeronautical Engineering degree at Spartan School of Aeronautics in Oklahoma. A member of the Military Affairs Committee (MAC), Kem coordinates the Roots for Boots airman sponsor program, which connects new Barksdale airmen with local families for social activities and support as they start their military careers in Northwest Louisiana.

Kem serves as the body shop manager for Hebert’s Town and Country in Shreveport. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, Kem has expertise in collision repair, paintless dent repair, customer service programs, and facilitation of insurance claims.

Kem is married to Dana Bacarisse Smelser, director of Strategy and Business Development for CHRISTUS Health. In his personal time, he enjoys the outdoors, home improvement projects, golf, and spending time with family.

He will be introduced Thursday by Lion John Rodland. The Minden Lions Club meets each Thursday at noon at the American Legion Memorial Home, located at 119 W. Pine St. in downtown Minden.