128 Years of Family Serving Family: Timothy “TJ” Minchew, Kadena Main Store

One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 128 years of family serving family.

Who he is: Timothy J. “TJ” Minchew Jr., inventory control associate at Kadena Main Store, Okinawa

Years with the Exchange: Four

What brought him to the Exchange: “The Exchange was one of the few options available for employment that offered Status of Forces Agreement for Americans to work and live in Okinawa. Plus, the weather is beautiful, and it reminds me of my home state of Florida.”

What he did at first: “I started as a regular part-time associate in the PowerZone department.”

Current role: “As an inventory control associate, I review reports to include merchandise turnover, promotion and slow-moving items and alert management if any merchandise is not in stock. Also, I am responsible for all store orders to include vendor order, customer convenience orders, rain check and emergency orders.”

Memorable moment: “I met my fiancée, Haruna Chinen, a cashier at the Kadena main store, while we were working at the Exchange. Our paths crossed, and we started to talk. She is now a supervisor at the McTureous Express. We haven’t set a marriage date yet, but we are thinking sometime before the end of this year.”

Military connection: “I was in the U.S. Navy from 2013 to 2017 as master-at-arms stationed in Bahrain. My team and I provided armed security for all personnel on the waterfront as well as conducted ship inspections for non-U.S. ships coming into port. … I appreciated the Exchange providing me with a taste of home when I was so far away from home.”

Family serving family: “I enjoy the diverse opportunities available within the Exchange from Human Resources to Logistics and everything in between. I also like having an opportunity to deploy and help my brothers in arms who are still overseas and risking their lives for the freedoms we enjoy.”