‘All of You Have Gone the Extra Mile to Make Humphreys Home’: Associates Recognized for Role in Completing Korea Exchange Transformation
After nine years, the Korea Exchange transformation is complete. And Exchange senior leaders are honoring those whose hard work and determination made the transformation possible.
Pacific Regional Vice President Scott Bonner welcomes Korea associates to an award ceremony recognizing their role in the Korea Exchange Transformation, held Nov. 4 at the U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys theater.
Director/CEO Tom Shull, Chief Operating Officer Jason Rosenberg, Chief Logistics Officer Karen Stack, Chief Human Resources Officer Patrick Oldenburgh, Pacific Region Senior Vice President Karin Duncan, Pacific Region Commander Lt. Col. Michael Kovalchek, and Pacific Regional Vice President Scott Bonner thanked 58 associates from U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, USAG Yongsan-Casey and Osan Air Base during a virtual event held Nov. 9. The recognition came just days after associates received special Korea Exchange Transformation Mission Complete certificates during an in-person ceremony at the USAG Humphreys theater.
The associates earned praise for helping complete the relocation of Exchange operations near Seoul and other parts of Korea to USAG Humphreys, a process that began in 2012 and involved the closure of 62 facilities, the opening of 46 and the relocation of 19. The transformation supports the U.S. military’s larger effort to relocate most forces and command activities to Humphreys as part of the Army’s Yongsan Relocation Plan.
“Your passion and teamwork are as remarkable as they are appreciated,” Shull said. “The important work you do truly makes a difference for so many.”
Many local national associates made considerable personal sacrifices to continue carrying out the Exchange mission at Humphreys, which is in a smaller, rural area compared with the higher demand, Seoul-adjacent communities near their previous workplaces.
Pacific Regional Vice President Scott Bonner hands out certificates honoring Korea associates for their role in the Korea Exchange Transformation during a Nov. 4 award ceremony at the U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys theater.
Some associates even rented studio apartments to stay near the garrison during the week, returning home on the weekends. At the height of last year’s COVID travel restrictions, some teammates went three months without seeing friends and family.
“All of you have gone the extra mile to make Humphreys home,” Shull said. “Thank you. You epitomize family serving family.”
The Exchange will celebrate the completion of the transformation’s final step with a grand opening ceremony for a new distribution center and bakery at USAG Humphreys on Nov. 19. The facility joins a 300,000-square-foot Exchange shopping center, which opened in November 2017, in preparing the Exchange to serve roughly 44,000 expected to call Humphreys home by the completion of the Yongsan Relocation Plan.
