Fort Leonard Wood Exchange Earns Commander-in-Chief Award for Installation Excellence

Fort Leonard Wood PX General Manger Donald Cantwell accepted the 2022 Commander-in-Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence on behalf of the garrison’s Exchange team.

A congratulatory letter and the Installation Management Command Directorate – Training Coin were presented to Cantwell by Garrison Commander Col. Anthony Pollio Jr. and IMCOM Directorate – Training Deputy Director Freddie Lee Giddens on behalf of the Director of IMCOM Directorate – Training Vincent Grewatz.

The award recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations and exemplary support of Department of Defense missions.

From left, IMCOM Directorate – Training Deputy Director Freddie Lee Giddens, Fort Leonard Wood Exchange General Manager Donald Cantwell, Garrison Commander Col. Anthony Pollio Jr. as Cantwell accepts the 2022 Commander-in-Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence on behalf of the Exchange team.

Installations are chosen by how well they achieve the DoD’s objectives in several areas of installation management, including mission support, unit morale, and quality of life factors such as childcare, education, health, wellness and recreational activities.

In 2022, the Fort Leonard Wood Exchange introduced seven new food options and welcomed multiple new retail and service partners. The Exchange averaged three community events per month, including a Halloween “Trunk or Treat” event and a back-to-school fashion show.

“It was a great honor to receive this award on behalf of all the Exchange associates and vendor partners who work hard every day to make the Fort Leonard Wood Community a great Army Installation,” Cantwell said. “Our associates go above and beyond to take care of our shoppers and support our community. This great achievement is rightly earned by every teammate here at Fort Leonard Wood.”

The Fort Leonard Wood Exchange was one of twelve directorates at the installation to be recognized.