Featured business person: Marilyn Gray
How many people spend four decades in a rewarding career, then retire to another about which they are even more passionate?
Gray, who started at the Kansas Humane Society this month, counts herself among that number.
“I’m excited about that, and very blessed to be able to do that,” she said.
Gray, a Wichita native, worked in information technology for 21 years at MetLife and another 18 for Koch Industries, leaving the latter as director of communications for Koch Business Solutions.
Growing up, she said, “We had dogs and cats. We had birds and fish. I think a few times we had rabbits and turtles.”
About five years ago, she started volunteering at the Humane Society.
“I’ve always been active in the community. It just really got serious when I started volunteering here. I really just found my passion.”
Gray volunteered in a number of areas, including adoption counseling, intake assessment and the clinic. After the deaths of her two 18-year-old cats a few years ago, she also started volunteering as a foster caregiver for cats awaiting adoption.
Although happy volunteering, Gray said, “I thought I could have a greater impact on the organization if I got to a place where I could actually drive some changes and be part of the decision-making process.”
She’s replacing Karla Hartlep, who is leaving to pursue a master’s degree.
As COO, Gray said she will oversee about 55 employees. The society also has about 1,500 volunteers.
“My job is really to direct the day-to-day operations of the organization and the facility. So I’m responsible for quality animal health, efficient animal flow, internal and external customer service and allocation of overall shelter resources.”
Gray and her husband, Brian, have four grown children. She said her husband likes animals, too.
“He likes to come in and get them riled up. I like to snuggle them. We make a pretty good team.”
Joe Stumpe
This story was originally published March 25, 2015 at 2:37 PM with the headline "Featured business person: Marilyn Gray."