GEN Perna, Exchange Leaders Meet to Strengthen Foundation For Serving Warfighters
GEN Gustave Perna and Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull
GEN Gustave Perna, commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) and the Army’s senior logistician, met with Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull and senior executives during his visit to headquarters April 11 in Dallas.
The meeting helped lay the foundation for how AMC sees the Exchange fitting into its logistical footprint. Perna and Shull also discussed how AMC and the Exchange can more effectively support Warfighters.
“Meetings like these are very helpful,” Perna said. “It’s good for me to be informed on what we are or are not doing.”
GEN Gustave Perna greets Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull at the Dallas HQ.
Understanding the Exchange’s importance
Perna, the second four-star general to visit the Exchange in the last two years, understands the importance of the Exchange, having served on the Exchange Board of Directors from January 2015 to September 2016, including about a year as Board Chairman.
As AMC’s commander, Perna oversees superior technology, acquisition support and logistics to ensure dominant land force capability for Soldiers, the United States and its allies. AMC is headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
A ‘Soldier’s Soldier’
Shull also briefed Perna on critical Exchange priorities. Shull discussed how the Exchange BE FIT program supports Soldier readiness and resiliency through a robust selection of fitness products in store and at ShopMyExchange.com; expansion of MILITARY STAR card acceptance at commissaries; and the Veterans online shopping benefit.
The shopping benefit, which launched last Veterans Day, welcomed home 18.5 million honorably discharged Veterans with tax-free shopping and military exclusive pricing at ShopMyExchange.com.
“It’s a great privilege to have a Soldier’s Soldier such as Gen. Perna in the Exchange’s corner,” said Shull, who received Perna’s coin after the meeting. “He understands the unique challenges that we face and we truly appreciate all that he does for the Exchange.”
