FBLA TBL May 2023 - 19

ALUMNI
SPOTLIGHT
Tory Marie
(Arnberger)
Blew
In each issue of Tomorrow's Business Leader,
FBLA asks a former member to share what
they are doing now, how FBLA helped prepare
them for success, and what advice they have for
today's members.
Tory Marie (Arnberger) Blew
Kansas State Representative
District 112
Topeka, Kansas
What are your job duties and responsibilities?
I represent my hometown, a rural district within Kansas. Some
days I'm drafting legislation, and others I'm working with different
stakeholders to solve an issue. My number-one responsibility
is to serve the constituents of the 112th district. That could
mean voting on legislation, helping them get answers on different
issues they're having, or even just getting them connected to
the right people/agencies within the Kansas government. Every
day is something different, and I love what I do.
When, where, and in what capacity were you
involved in FBLA?
Great Bend High School 2007-2011: Chapter Secretary: 20082009,
Chapter President: 2009-2011; Fort Hays State University,
2011-2016: Kansas FBLA Collegiate President: 2014-2016,
National Mountain Plains Region Vice President: 2014-2015
What is your favorite FBLA memory?
In 2009, our High School chapter competed in Partnership
with a Business, and we qualified for Nationals in Anaheim,
California. When we competed, everything that could have
gone wrong did, and we didn't even look to see if we made the
final round. The next day, we were getting ready to go to Disneyland,
and the Kansas FBLA State Chair called our adviser
to wish us luck. In complete shock, we had 30 minutes to get
dressed, find someone to let us use their projector (since ours
didn't work), and be fully prepared to present. In the end,
we placed fourth, and I still remember standing on the stage
completely shocked that we made it that far!
What did you learn in FBLA that you still use today?
FBLA taught me how to be a business professional at a young
age. For example, I learned how to approach a stranger and
how to properly introduce myself with a solid, firm handshake,
making sure that I'm keeping eye contact. Being comfortable
and confident is crucial in any situation.
FBLA seeks to inspire and prepare communityminded
business leaders. How did FBLA help prepare
you to think about how you could improve your
community? How are you doing so today?
I believe the Partnership with a Business project was my first
major step in finding ways to work with and support my community.
From that project, I learned how to work with other
businesses and organizations within my community and ways to
become more involved.
What advice would you give the 18-year-old version
of yourself?
It's okay for your plans to change.
What are you most excited about for the future
of FBLA?
Workforce is the number one issue today in America, and, with
the help of FBLA, I know you're crafting strong, impressive, bold
leaders who are going to help fill this gap.
MAY 2023 | 19 |
FBLA TBL May 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of FBLA TBL May 2023
