125 Years of Family Serving Family – Valerie Holland, Loss Prevention
One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 125 years of family serving family.
Valerie Holland began her Exchange career when she was a teenager as a detective—two weeks before she graduated from high school.
Those early days represent some of her fondest moments and proudest achievements as she retires after a 38-year career.
Valerie Holland and her husband Larry have been married for 20 years.
“A lot of shoplifters get lawyers right off the bat, and they would see my age and say, ‘No problem, we’ll take her to court,’” said Holland, who will retire Sept. 30 as a corporate health and safety manager for Loss Prevention.
Holland was born on Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, the daughter of Leith Jones, who had a 30-year career as a chief master sergeant in the Air Force.
Scott is also where Holland began her Exchange career, working part-time as a detective. She spent four years there before moving to Fort Benning as a safety and security assistant and then on to Fort Leavenworth as an electronic surveillance specialist.
Her Exchange journey also took her to Germany, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Fort Bragg and eventually to headquarters in 2012.
Along the way, she married her husband, Larry, a retired chaplain in the Army.
How she relates to others is one of her proudest achievements, Holland said.
“I talk to everyone at the same level,” she said. “I don’t just say something’s wrong. I explain why it is and how to fix it.”
Holland has racked up several accolades at the Exchange, including three Superior Accomplishment Awards, three Excellence Awards and a Humanitarian Award for helping an associate who was choking.
“Valerie can be proud that she has protected our earnings during her time in the Loss Prevention directorate, whether it was from of catching thieves or saving expenses related to her safety program,” said Trish Collier, senior LP Operations manager. “Valerie can retire knowing she leaves the program better than when she took over and she has made a difference in the lives of thousands of associates.”
The Exchange is the only career Holland has ever known, which makes it even harder for her to say goodbye.
“My father always said if you don’t love what you do, you have to get out. And I have honestly love working for the Exchange,” she said. “I am married to the company. It has been my whole life. I am so glad to have been a part of it and to have met so many wonderful people.”
Facebook-friendly version: As she nears retirement, Valerie Holland of Loss Prevention looks back on a 38-year career that began as a detective while she was a teenager.
