JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce is says Lieutenant General (Ret.) Perry L. Wiggins has been selected to serve as the Chamber’s Interim President of Operations. Following the leadership transition earlier this year, Board Chair Ashley King stepped into the Interim President of Operations role in accordance with the Chamber’s bylaws, serving in a volunteer capacity while the Board worked to identify the right interim leader for the organization.
Wiggins brings decades of distinguished leadership experience to the role, including 33 years of active-duty service in the United States Army. His career included senior leadership assignments throughout the United States and around the world, culminating in his service as Commanding General of U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) from 2013 to 2016. His extensive leadership background also includes service on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon and command of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley.
Following his retirement from the Army in 2016, Wiggins continued his service to Kansas as Executive Director of the Governor’s Military Council. “We are incredibly fortunate to have General Wiggins step into this role,” said Ashley King, Chair of the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “He is a highly respected leader who brings an extraordinary level of experience, integrity and credibility to our organization. Just as importantly, he understands how to bring people together, build strong relationships and lead through periods of transition. I believe his leadership will be extremely positive for the Chamber and for the community we serve.”
As Interim President of Operations, Wiggins will provide leadership and organizational oversight for the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and its divisions while working closely with the Chamber Board of Directors, staff, community partners and stakeholders.
“This is an important time for our organization, and having someone with General Wiggins’ leadership experience provides both stability and an opportunity to continue moving forward,” King added. “He is someone who is respected throughout our community, region and state, and we are excited to have him working alongside our Board and staff as we focus on strengthening the Chamber and the partnerships that are so important to our work.”
Wiggins’ appointment reflects the Chamber Board’s commitment to providing strong and experienced leadership during this transitional period while continuing to support the organization’s work in member engagement, economic development and military affairs.