A Big Catch: Bass Pro Shops Collaboration Launching Soon

Tom Shull
Exchange Director/CEO

Teamwork wins.

These are two simple words with big meaning for Team Exchange as the hard-earned benefit for the military community thrives.

Exceptional leaders have one commonality—the wins are always about others. It’s never about them. On Aug. 20, Team Exchange leaders met with a truly exceptional leader, American and patriot—Bass Pro Shops founder and noted conservationist Johnny Morris.

That day, the Exchange and Bass Pro Shops signed an agreement to bring the outdoor company’s proprietary fishing, hunting and camping gear and apparel to the military community tax-free at ShopMyExchange.com later this year. This collaboration is part of the Exchange’s priority to bring the best national brands to America’s heroes tax-free.

Johnny and I share common ground. Johnny’s father, John A. Morris, served in World War II at the Battle of the Bulge—a turning point in the war. Johnny’s father helped secure victory for freedom-loving people around the world.

My father, too, served during World War II, but in the Pacific. He fought for more than two years in combat and served 30 years in the Army. My father always told my mother, my brother, sister and me that as long as his family was taken care of, he was all in for the Army.

We also share a bond with the late President George H.W. Bush. When I was a young major, and he was serving as vice president, he would stop by my office next to the situation room in the White House and say hello with a welcoming smile. I was so humbled to interact with him.

Johnny’s deep friendship with President Bush —sparked by a love of fishing and the outdoors — was truly impressive. Johnny befriended Bush at time when the president was reflective about his next steps in life. Johnny did his part every time he went fishing with the president. Fishing, hunting and spending time outdoors make a difference in people’s lives for the better.

Johnny and the Bass Pro team play a part in making America strong. They have a deep love of for our great Nation and the heroes who defend it. We make America strong by supporting our military. Without a strong military, we wouldn’t be where we are today—full stop.

For Johnny and his team, making the collaboration official was a something special.

“We can never adequately thank our Nation’s heroes for the sacrifice shown in service to our great country, we are all deeply grateful for what they do every day to protect the freedoms we are blessed to enjoy here in the USA,” Johnny says.  “To be named the official outdoor gear provider for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service makes this one of the proudest days in the history of our company.”

The collaboration is a tremendous force multiplier for the service members and Veterans we are so honored to serve. Nature leads to healing, to adventure and a lifetime of the best memories. Together, we will help service members and Veterans enjoy the wonder and healing nature offers. Team Exchange looks forward to connecting heroes with the land they fiercely fight to protect.

And together, we are one more example of how teamwork always wins.

Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull with Bass Pro Shops founder and noted conservationist Johnny Morris. In August, the Exchange and Bass Pro Shops signed an agreement to bring the outdoor company’s proprietary fishing, hunting and camping gear and apparel to the military community tax-free at ShopMyExchange.com later this year.