Celebrating Legacies, Looking Toward Our Future Leaders

Renee Figge

Mike Howard

Two valued team members, our Chief Financial Officer Renee Figge and President/Chief Operating Officer Mike Howard, are readying to enjoy the rewards of the Exchange’s unmatched deferred compensation plan as they embark on new journeys in retirement.

Originally a management trainee, Renee dedicated three decades to protecting and preserving the Exchange’s fiscal health in our Finance and Accounting Directorate. Two decades ago, Renee was an integral member of the design, development and implementation of the Integrated General Ledger Accounting System (IGLAS), which is still in use today.

Navigating the downturn

Renee was our treasurer during last decade’s financial crisis. She helped the Exchange successfully navigate the worst economic downturn since the great depression. It was Renee who took care of our team and, in turn, our customers.

Jim Jordan

As CFO, Renee was our lead tank in cost-reduction efforts, helping to secure $315 million in operating cost reduction in the past four years. Her achievements are too numerous to list here, but her strong, intelligent and fact-based approach to challenges will continue to pay dividends for our team and those we serve for many years to come.

Jim Jordan will assume the role of Exchange CFO upon Renee’s retirement this month. Formerly the Exchange’s vice president/treasurer, Jim brings 28 years of experience to the CFO position. Having worked closely with Renee for many years, Jim has the knowledge and know how to work, across all directorates, to continue to strengthen the Exchange’s viability and relevance.

From part timer to COO

When Mike Howard arrived for his first day as a part-time worker at Denver’s Lowry AFB Exchange (now closed) in 1972, Richard Nixon was President, U.S. forces were still in Vietnam and “The Godfather” was playing in theaters. After graduating college, Mike quickly rose to the position of main store manager at March AFB and McChord AFB.

We are fortunate to have served with Renee and Mike and thankful for their efforts to build our bench.

After serving as a general manager in Colorado Springs and an area manager for the Columbia Area, Mike came to the headquarters in 2003.

In rapid succession, Mike served as a vice president in Real Estate, chief information officer and chief financial officer. He was selected as our COO in 2006.

In the decade that followed, Mike guided the establishment of retail services that would ultimately serve 200,000 U.S. troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Under Mike’s leadership, the Exchange ramped up operations to meet the challenge so we could bring a needed taste of home to forward deployed Americans. Whether downrange or down the street, Mike always kept an eye on each store’s bottom line, spending many sleepless nights pouring through financials looking for opportunities for improvement.

As our general managers and store managers know all too well, no detail was too small for Mike as he worked to help each exchange gain the competitive advantage needed to bring shoppers in the door while driving out inefficiencies. Mike leaves a legacy of servant leadership for the thousands of associates he has personally mentored and connected with throughout his 44-year career. 

Bringing military ties

Dave Nelson

Mike’s replacement, Dave Nelson, is the son of a career Air Force service member and son-in-law of a distinguished Green Beret officer inducted into the Special Forces Hall of Fame. As a result of these family ties, Dave represents the military connection so many of our associates share—he  knows our customers and takes a personal interest in their well-being.

A general manager five times, area manager twice, vice president three times and  senior vice president three times, Dave has been with the Exchange for 31 years.  He has a passion for our associates and will continue Mike’s legacy of servant leadership.

We are fortunate to have served with Renee and Mike and thankful for their efforts to build our bench. Thanks to them both, we now have the opportunity to build on their accomplishments with highly qualified and competent leaders like Jim and Dave.

Renee and Mike, on behalf of your Exchange family, congratulations! Jim and Dave, we look forward to working with you to take the Exchange to even greater heights. Onward and upward!