Shull Receives ALA Distinguished Service Award

Director/CEO Tom Shull holds the ALA’s Distinguished Service Award

SAN ANTONIO – In honor of efforts to improve the quality of life for service members and families, Army & Air Force Exchange Service Director/CEO Tom Shull received the American Logistics Association’s Distinguished Service Award, on behalf of the Exchange team, during the group’s annual convention in San Antonio on Oct. 2.

ALA is a nonprofit trade association that promotes, protects and enhances quality-of-life benefits for service members, military retirees and military families.

ALA’s Distinguished Service Award acknowledges the significant transformation the Exchange has made in the delivery of promised benefits to service members and their families by leveraging proven business disciplines to grow market share and reduce costs.

“This award is recognition of the amazing work the Exchange team does each day for service members and their families.”

-Tom Shull, Director/CEO

Since 2012, the Exchange has tripled its eligible online customer base; substantially increased earnings as a percent of sales from 3.2% in 2011 to 5.6% in 2017. With cash flow (earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and rent) measuring now at 10.5%, the Exchange’s performance bests Walmart and Target.

Bob Ellis, left, and Tom Shull, with their awards

“This award is recognition of the amazing work the Exchange team does each day for service members and their families,” said Shull, the first civilian to lead the Department of Defense’s largest retailer. “Our own Bob Ellis’ taking home ALA’s Lifetime Achievement Award during the same award ceremony is proof that for 123 years, we have been all in to take care of those who take care of us.”

Ellis, the Exchange’s former Vice President of Corporate Planning and Communications, received ALA’s distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award at the convention. Ellis is vice president, Exchange/MWR, for ALA.