66 Associates Complete Inaugural Services Business Management Academy

For Pearl Louis Jones, graduating from the Exchange’s inaugural Services Business Management Academy led to a promotion to services business manager at Davis-Monthan AFB.

“The experience was rewarding, challenging and opened doors for career advancement,” said Jones, who had previously worked at Fort Campbell  as a concept manager for Panera Bread while completing the SBMA curriculum.

Modeled after the Retail Operations Management Academy (ROMA) and the Retail Management Academy (RMA), SBMA is an eight-week program where associates learn to manage their Exchange mall, including finding new business opportunities, overseeing vending operations and managing financials. Including Jones, 66 associates graduated from the first SBMA this summer.

“The experience was rewarding, challenging and opened doors for career advancement,” Pearl Louis Jones, one of 66 graduates of the inaugural Services Business Management Academy, said of the program. Her graduation led to a promotion to services business manager at Davis-Monthan AFB.

“Corporate Learning identified a need for a training program for associates interested in a career in services,” said Randy Ramirez, vice president, HR Talent. “With SBMA, there is specialized curriculum with a road map that provides an introduction to many aspects of the lines of business that make up services.”

SBMA is open to anyone interested in pursuing a career within the Services and Food Directorate. 2024’s program is expected to begin midyear.

SBMA associates take part in virtual learning, on-the-job training and written coursework. The selection process includes an endorsement by the local general manager, who nominates associates based on potential to advance their management career with the Exchange.

Associates in the program receive support from local general managers, services business managers, HQ team members and local coaches. More than 190 coaches from local Exchanges met weekly with trainees in the RMA, ROMA or SBMA programs. These coaches are managers dedicated to building the bench by sharing their experiences and knowledge.

In addition to the SBMA graduates, more than 340 associates graduated from the ROMA and RMA programs, which all ran concurrently.

Offering meaningful professional development programs is instrumental in succession planning, building the bench and retaining high potential associates.

“These graduates from our management academies are the next generation of Exchange leaders,” Ramirez said. “We’re excited to help put them on the path to even greater success.”