125 Years of Family Serving Family – Alan French

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

When he was 20, Alan French was working at a temporary agency and trying to find full-time employment. His dad, who retired from the Exchange in 2004 as Director of Logistics Operations, encouraged him to apply at the newly opened Newport News Distribution Center (now known as the Dan Daniels Distribution Center).

“He said ‘come on out here to the DC. We’re still hiring 50 people a day,’” French said. “After about six months on the job, I never looked back. The Exchange had become my home.”

Now, 32 years later, French is the SVP of Supply Chain and Transportation in the Logistics Directorate. His wife, Dianna, also works for the Exchange in the Services, Food and Fuel Directorate.

“The family serving family core value resonates with me the most,” French said. “It represents me being an AAFES brat. It represents my relationship with fellow associates and how well we come together in a time of need and every day thereafter.”

French has a personal connection to those the Exchange serves. His wife served in the Army, his uncle in Vietnam and both of his grandfathers, in World War II and the Korean War.

“I have a sense of pride knowing that what we do is valued by our service members and their families,” French said. “The service we provide them is appreciated. We truly serve the best customers in the world.”