Wendy Layton

Wendy Layton officially joined the Blue Star Family team in February of 2019. She resides in Jacksonville, FL which is host to numerous military installations with the largest being Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport and Navy Submarine Base Kings Bay.

Wendy’s extensive career assisting military families began as a military spouse and Ombudsman for the now infamous USS Stark. She then accepted a position as Center Director for the Mayport USO Center, where she provided support and services to over 15,000 military members and an estimated 32,000 family members. She developed and marketed 20 Quality of Life Programs, as well as, additional seasonal programs that resulted in the growth of a typical program from under 100 participants to over 2500 participants. Wendy was lauded by leadership in her role as the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Specialist serving the Florida Air National Guard across the state. Her passion to build and institute a highly effective, informative and efficient Yellow Ribbon Reintegration program within the Florida Air National Guard ensured her Airmen and their families were well prepared for upcoming deployments, and upon their return, helped them transition back in to civilian life. Wendy worked with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families to help launch the Onward to Opportunity program in Jacksonville. In her latest role she worked as a hybrid Outreach Specialist for CASY and the National Guard Employment Network.

Two years ago, she also had the opportunity to return to school to finish the degree she started over 20 years ago. She will both complete her undergraduate degree and begin her master’s coursework in March of 2019, Wendy has been awarded the Florida Commendation Medal from former Governor Rick Scott for her Yellow Ribbon role with the Army National Guard’s 53D Infantry Brigade Combat Team.