125 Years of Family Serving Family – Heidi McLean, Taco Bell Manager, Grafenwoehr

One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 125 years of family serving family

For over 25 years, Heidi McLean has passionately served the military with the Exchange family and cannot imagine what her life would have been like if she had chosen a different path.

Growing up overseas, one of McLean’s favorite childhood memories was going to the Exchange with her father at Leighton Barracks in Wurzburg, Germany.

Heidi McLean, a Taco Bell manager in Germany, has served the Exchange for 25 years.

McLean spent her entire childhood at the same base and upon graduating high school, she traveled to the United States.

“It felt like a major part of my life was missing, so I returned to Germany and applied to the Exchange,” McLean said. “I started at the Leighton Barracks food court almost 26 years ago as a temporary food service worker and as opportunities arose, I seized them to move up.”

Another influence for McLean’s career choice was her mother, who worked at the Leighton Barracks Exchange for 20 years.

“Having my mother be part of the Exchange was an amazing bonding experience,” McLean said. “She worked in retail and I was in food, but they all became my work family.”

McLean loves her job and how it has given her the chance to experience many different places and different people.

“Being part of the Exchange family means the world to me,” McLean stressed. “I’ve met so many amazing people who became family to me and I really can’t imagine a more fulfilling career choice.”

Facebook-friendly version:  For Heidi McLean, working for the #Exchange means that she can give back to the military community and bring a #TasteofHome to Soldiers and their families. “Being part of the Exchange family means the world to me,” she said. “I’ve met so many amazing people who became family to me and I really can’t imagine a more fulfilling career choice.”