Getting to know Judy Whiley, director of member services, WIBA

Some people idolize movie actors or rock stars.

"I've always looked up to the owners of businesses and entrepreneurs," said Judy Whiley.

That makes her a good fit as director of member services at WIBA, which provides networking, education and advocacy for independent businesses.

Whiley grew up in the Wichita area, graduated from Campus High and then attended the old Wichita Business College. She spent 17 years working at Parrot-Fa-Nalia, a boutique on south Hillside.

“That's where I really learned my customer service skills.”

She worked as manager of membership services for WIBA for eight years, moved to the Wichita Crime Commission for a year and a half, then recently returned to WIBA. Her job will be similar to what she did there before with "more freedom to get out in the field, which is what I love – visiting members, finding out what they do."

Whiley and her husband, Robert, have two grown sons: Jay, who lives in Wichita, and Brian, who serves in the U.S. Army in Germany.

She enjoys reading when she has a chance but says "right now, gardening is my No. 1 thing."

Joe Stumpe

This story was originally published November 17, 2017 at 11:20 AM with the headline "Getting to know Judy Whiley, director of member services, WIBA."