127 Years of Family Serving Family: Henry “Robbie” Robinson, Fort Meade

Who he is: Henry “Robbie” Robinson, services operations assistant, Fort Meade Exchange

Years with the Exchange: 32 years

What brought him to the Exchange: “When I retired from the Air Force, the federal government was in a hiring freeze,” Robinson said. “I applied for a lot of jobs, but nothing. Finally, I decided to try the Exchange.

“The Exchange was the only company that gave me an opportunity at that time, and for that, I am truly grateful.”

What he did at first: Warehouse worker at the car care center, then services and vending supervisor. During a reorganization, his position was eliminated, and Robinson was offered a position in the stockroom, where he worked for three years.

What he does now: Fifteen years ago, when Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground were consolidated, Robinson got a call from his mentor, John Shiroky, who worked in services at Aberdeen PG. “We’d meet at vending expos and classes, and I’d always say, ‘We’d make a good team,’ and he’d say, ‘You’re right!’” Robinson said.

When Shiroky became services business manager over Fort Meade and Aberdeen PG, he knew whom to reach out to. “He called me up and said, ‘Robbie, you want to go to work?’ And I said, ‘Yes, sir!’”

Robinson moved to services operations assistant under Shiroky, a position he’s held ever since.

Where he’s worked: Fort Meade for all 32 years with the Exchange. “I’ve worked for 11 GMs so far and about to get my twelfth.”

Favorite part of the job: “I enjoy working with the customers.”

Military connections: Served in the Air Force 23 years.

Family serving family: “We serve the best customers in the world. That’s the main object: to be there for the families.”