Riverfest CEO, Mary Beth Jarvis & "Admiral" Johnson
Apr 19, 2017
"Admiral Windwagon Smith" Wendy Johnson
Riverfest CEO, Mary Beth Jarvis & "Admiral" Johnson

Riverfest 2017’s ambassador is a skilled communicator and a passionate advocate for education, the arts, the community and, of course, Riverfest. Wendy Johnson, division director of marketing and communications for the Wichita Public Schools, grew up in Wichita and graduated from Wichita High School East. Her Shocker pride runs deep, having earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Public Administration from Wichita State University.

Johnson’s commitment to the community includes service to organizations such as Tallgrass Film Association, Girls on the Run, Boy Scouts of America Quivira Council and the American Red Cross. She has received numerous honors for her volunteer and professional achievements including the Alumni Award for Outstanding Public Service from the Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs at WSU, the Distinguished Service Award from the Kansas School Public Relations Association and the Excellence in Public Service Award from the DeVore Foundation.

Admiral XLIV “At a Glance”

* Attended Wichita Public Schools and graduated from Wichita High School East

* Graduated from Wichita State University with bachelor and master degrees.

* Division director of marketing and communications for Wichita Public Schools since 2001.

* Wendy and her husband, Terry Wiggers, have three sons – Tyler Johnson, Thomas Johnson and Brandon Wiggers.

* A die-hard WSU Shocker fan, she has adopted the Kansas State Wildcats during football season thanks to her husband.

* Grew up playing clarinet, and is an advocate for the arts and a lover of all types of music.

* Avid collector of Mickey Mouse memorabilia.

* Completer of four half-marathons, and cheerleader to all those who “don’t consider themselves runners” but have the courage to try.