127 Years of Family Serving Family: Danny Cawood, Okinawa Exchange RBM
One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 127 years of family serving family.
Who he is: Danny Cawood, retail business manager, Okinawa Exchange
Time with the Exchange: 15 years
Military connection: Son of an Air Force retiree
Where he’s worked: Kadena Mainstreet Taco Bell, Kadena Air Base main store, Camp Foster main store, Courtney Express, Okinawa Exchange HQ
What brought him to the Exchange: “In high school, I loved electronics and dreamed of working in the PowerZone at the Kadena main store. Unfortunately, there were no openings at the time, but instead I was selected for my first job at the Kadena Mainstreet Taco Bell when I was 17 years old.”
Military memories: “Growing up in the military community on Okinawa, I remember stopping by the Kadena BX with my family at least once a week. Whether it was getting something to eat at Burger King, playing at the arcade while waiting for a haircut, getting lunch tickets at customer service or looking for a new game to buy with my allowance at the PowerZone, the Exchange was always there for me and my family.”
Best memories of the Exchange: “Being able to serve the best customers in the world with exceptional customer experience and providing a taste of home is truly an honor. I will always remember the time when I visited Robertson Barracks MFE in Australia and the excitement and smiles the Warfighters had when a shipment of Doritos arrived. The Exchange truly embodies the ‘We Go Where You Go’ motto.”
Thoughts on diversity and inclusion: “We are all unique with different backgrounds, history and experiences. Diversity and inclusion are critical to the success of the Exchange and any organization, as it encourages creativity and an understanding of different perspectives. With this, we will be better at making decisions and problem solving.
“Understanding our differences and similarities brings us closer together. It is with this understanding that we can work at our potential, work comfortably in a positive environment, and work toward the same goal like a family.”
What family serving family means to him: “Growing up overseas and being part of the military community, it truly is an honor to give back. The Exchange has and will always be a part of my life, and I value that the Exchange is a part of my family’s life too.”
