Honduras Associates Honored for 225 Combined Years of Service

Geraldina Padilla has worked for the Exchange at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras for more than 30 years— and still loves every minute of it.

“My favorite part of the job is everything,” said Padilla, an accounts operator. “I especially love serving our customers and keeping the accounts in order.”

Padilla is one of 12 longtime associates at the Honduras Exchange recently honored with service awards for their more than 225 combined years of service. The team celebrated their awards with cake and camaraderie.

“You can see their pride, passion and dedication,” General Manager Stephanie Wilson said. “They really are on the front lines, and they are doing a great job at taking care of the best customers in the world.”

Store Manager Luis Rivera echoes Wilson’s praise for the team, which includes 29 local nationals.

“My team does a great job despite the challenges of being a remote location,” Rivera said.

“You can see their pride, passion and dedication.”

-General Manager Stephanie Wilson

For Inventory Control Associate Irma Maldonado, working in a remote location has shown her the meaning of “family serving family”—inside and outside the store.

“It’s important to maintain good relationships with your teammates,” said Maldonado, who served with the Exchange for more than 15 years. “Internal customer service drives the success of the Exchange.”

For the last 31 years, taking care of customers has pushed Shift Supervisor Dunia Chavez to succeed. She likes the work she does—even with the occasional obstacle.

“I enjoy making planograms and restocking the store,” Chavez said. “It feels good to fill the store with products and provide for our customers.”

Despite the remote location, Honduras Exchange associates make the most of their opportunities.

“The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is one of the best companies to work for,” Assistant Store Manager Carmelina Manueles said. “We have been given lots of opportunities that we otherwise wouldn’t have.”

While the celebration of service was focused on associates, Manueles gave kudos to the team’s leaders.

“We have great bosses,” Manueles said. “They have been very supportive of us, and we feel blessed to have them as our supervisors.”

The 12 associates honored with service awards are:

• Geraldina Padilla, 30 years
• Dunia Chavez, 30 years
• Jorge Fuentes, 30 years
• Iris Pacheco, 30 years
• Elda Nunez, 25 years
• Irma Maldonado, 15 years
• Carmen Euceda, 15 years
• Mary Martinez, 15 years
• Delcy Fiallos, 10 years
• Denisse Mejia, 10 years
• Wendy Romero, 10 years
• Osyris Flores, 5 years