OBIE WORLEY, JR.
Spotlight on obie worley, jr.: A Leader in the procurement industry
With over two decades of experience in industrial construction and procurement management, Obie Worley, Jr. is redefining what it means to lead with both excellence and empathy. As a Senior Procurement Manager and Materials Lead for Exyte’s ID1 expansion project in Boise, Obie showcases a tactful yet humanistic approach to management—one rooted in strong morals, proven work ethic, and genuine concern for his team’s welfare. Off the clock, he’s an avid tinkerer, golfer, kayaker, and family man, finding joy in quiet moments that recharge his spirit. By honoring his upbringing and staying true to his name—“God’s Servant”—Obie sees his purpose as uplifting others, bridging culture and community wherever his career takes him.
Get to know Obie:
Tell us about your current role or business. What do you do, and what impact are you hoping to make?
I am a Sr. Procurement Manager for Exyte on the ID1 expansion project here in Boise, ID. I also serve a dual role as the project Materials Lead. My responsibilities include establishing and fully developing the RFP or bidding process for vendors to provide necessary services or equipment for the project. In my dual capacity I also oversee the Exyte materials management team and our appointed 3PL (third party logistics team) in the day-to-day operations of warehousing and systems management. I hope to impact my team and this project by exhibiting a different side of management by displaying strong morals, a proven work ethic and a tactful but humanistic style. True leaders recognize they are only as good as the people they have around them and those behaviors stem from how we treat them.
How did you get started in your career or business? Was there a defining moment that inspired you to pursue this path? I started in the field or outside the office in my initiation into construction over 20 years ago. I began my career as an ironworker and from there used every single opportunity I could to learn more about the business, even studying crafts outside of my scope. I wanted to be as versatile as I could so I could be a bigger asset to anyone who offered me a chance to elevate. I took chance after chance and became an "everything man" of sorts within the industry.
What’s one project, initiative, or accomplishment in your career that you’re most proud of? Aside from my upward trajectory over my career, the thing that I am most proud of is maintaining who I am, the roots of my upbringing and always being genuinely concerned about the welfare and treatment of those around me and making absolutely sure that I do my part to be good to people.
What do you love most about the work you do, and what keeps you motivated to keep going? Helping my team and sharing my knowledge and experiences, both good and bad, with those who are new to the field and hearing or seeing the positive impact it has, especially those within the minority communities.
If someone wanted to follow a similar career path, what advice would you give them? Be who you are and continue to be good to those around you. It's so easy to be swayed sometimes.
What’s one skill or quality that you believe has been essential to your professional success? My ability to adapt and my eagerness to learn.
Based on your experience living in The Treasure Valley, what does the First Fridays Boise mission of “Connection, Community, and Culture” mean to you? When you're in a field such as industrial construction that can literally take you all over the world, I think it's extremely important to stay rooted and connected to people of like cultures, mindsets and focus. My experiences with the minority community and First Fridays Boise has done just that for me and my family since our transition to Idaho and the Boise and surrounding areas. It's always unnerving to relocate to new area when you hear so many things, but our network here has dispelled so many of the stereotypes and have helped make our move here an unforgettable one.
In what ways do you prioritize “community” in your life, both personally and professionally? I always gravitate to those like me and try to make them fell just as at home as I am here.
The practice of "networking" can be overwhelming or intimidating. What advice do you have for someone who is looking to network in the community? Get out there! By nature, I'm mostly introverted but also know again that in order to be receptive of what is meant for you, you have to be out here or there to catch it.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Don't doubt your abilities and never be afraid to fail.
Tell us something people would be surprised to learn about you (a fun fact, hidden talent, or interesting hobby)! My hidden talents, I'm a poet, singer, although not as much as I used to, lol, I'm a self-taught barber, mechanic, artist and a very decent cook from all accounts, lol. I also boxed briefly during my time in the military.
What’s your go-to self-care activity when you need to reset and recharge? Quiet time. Whether I'm tinkering in the garage, trying to get deeper into golf or just watching a movie.
What is one of your favorite things to do in Idaho? Random getaways and believe it or not, kayaking. I'd never done it before in my life and now my family and I love it.
What book, podcast, or movie has had the most impact on your personal growth, and why? From a book standpoint, the Bible and The Art of War. I try my best live and implement teachings from both in my life daily. Movie wise, I'm a horror fan so that doesn't translate so well into personal growth, lol.
What does success look like for you? Success for me is being happy and content internally. Money and material things will come and go. My mental well-being and my family are my greatest success.
What is your life's purpose (or your "why")? It's funny, because my name which is the short form of Obadiah means "God's Servant" and I've alsways had a helpful or genuine concern for others type nature, so with that being said I feel my purpose is to be the best person I can humanly be.
What brings you joy? My family and peace.
What else would you like to share with your First Fridays Boise community? Please check out Ode2Love at your local markets and online.
