125 Years of Family Serving Family – Stephanie Schroeder, Production Supervisor, Gruenstadt Bakery
One in a series of honoring the Exchange’s 125 years of family serving family
For Stephanie Schroeder, who grew up in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, a town not far from a U.S. Army base, the U.S. military has always had a presence in her life. The military became an even bigger part of her life when her sister married an Airman.
During a holiday party at her brother-in-law’s, Schroeder mentioned that the company she worked for as a baker had recently shut down. Many guests recommended she try applying to the Exchange bakery.
After 23 years, Stephanie Schroeder has worked her way up from a dough mixer on the bun line to a production supervisor at the Gruenstadt bakery in Germany.
“Like most German bakers, I never heard of this bakery,” Schroeder said. “But I gave it a try and made it through to a second interview.”
At her second interview, Schroeder was shown the production area, where she realized just how big the bakery was.
“It’s a totally different type of bread and bun production compared to German bakeries,” Schroeder said. “I was very impressed.”
Schroeder began her career at the Gruenstadt bakery as a dough mixer on the bun line. After 23 years, she is now the production supervisor and is enjoying every minute.
“Since I have started working for the Exchange, I have never regretted my decision,” Schroeder said. “It has given me the opportunity to travel and to develop myself further.”
Through the years, Schroeder has improved her baking knowledge through correspondence courses from the Kansas American Institute of Baking and by obtaining a German baking master’s degree.
“You should always look for ways to improve yourself and your work environment,” Schroeder said. “There will be changes and challenges through the years, but you can grow from these, and you always have the opportunity for promotion within the company.”
The Exchange’s core value of family serving family is personal to Schroeder because of her family connection to the military. After marrying the Airman, her sister joined the Air Force as an Airman as well and later the Reserve.
“My niece is also joining the Air Force as an officer and I’m proud to be a part of the Exchange, which serves the military and their families worldwide,” Schroeder said. “It’s not just a job. Working for the Exchange, no matter where you are, means being part of a big family.”
