Born in Little Rock, raised in rural New Jersey then returned to Arkansas by 10th grade.
Wendy learned very early how to adapt to many cultures and varying attitudes toward life.
After 1 year at UALR, the desire to care for others ruled her thoughts and drove her toward
Emergency Medicine. While attending UAMS to become a Paramedic, Wendy started working with
her mother, Sharon Welch-Blair, as an assistant to her New York Life insurance practice and
joined Sharon on the adventure of opening Arkansas’ first 4 Diamond Bed & Breakfast: The
Empress of Little Rock. For 6 years Wendy worked part-time or volunteered in EMS and managed
her Mom’s businesses all the while raising two children, Jackie and Zack.
In April 2002, Wendy followed her mother’s footsteps into one of the most admired financial
services company in the world. Wendy and Sharon became the first female 2nd generation in
New York Life history. Wendy won “Rookie of the Year” award in 2002 and was fortunate enough
to share the stage with her Mom who won “Agent of the Year”. Wendy went on to become an
Annuity Champion, Executive Council and MDRT Member.
In 2005, Wendy experienced hardship through a divorce, which created a world of change and
led to her changing direction and helping people/businesses through recruiting and placing
finance professionals in some of the largest businesses in Oklahoma.
It was a long, winding road through business development, management and leadership that
brought her back to New York Life. Wendy served as a two term President and Regional
Director of the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance, served as a director for
Oklahoma City Human Resource Society, and was named “2016 Optimist of the Year” by the
Downtown Oklahoma City Optimist Club. She currently serves as Co-Chair on the Satellite
Rotary Club of Hot Springs Village.
Wendy considers herself a “Small Business Specialist” with knowledge and formal experience
in Construction, Real Estate, Transportation, Hospitality, Financial Services, Human
Resources, Benefits, Marketing and some Medical. With such a wide variety of knowledge she
is very versatile in helping clients of all backgrounds.
Wendy is married to T.J. Hutcheson and they reside in Hot Springs Village. Wendy has a
strong desire to help people, a natural leader whose optimistic approach to teamwork has
made her successful in business and sports. Wendy’s hobbies include tennis, real estate and
now golf. She spent 4 years captaining the USTA 3.5 18+ Women’s Team for Memorial Park in
Colorado Springs. Her team was successfully undefeated and named the Southern Colorado
Champions in 2019 and 2020. On the real estate note Wendy has owned and flipped over 14
properties in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.
Her main goal at this point, is to continue her Mother’s legacy by being an architect of
well designed, custom-tailored strategies for each of her clients.