Martha Robuck Earns ALA’s Distinguished Service Award

Martha Robuck, the Exchange’s vice president of consumables who passed away in May, was honored by the American Logistics Association for her unwavering contributions to military resale.

She was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award on Oct. 16 during the group’s annual convention in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Robuck’s children, Mead and Kelsey, who works in Planning, Allocation and Replenishment at the Exchange, accepted the award on her behalf.

ALA is a nonprofit trade association that promotes, protects and enhances quality-of-life benefits for service members, military retirees and military families.

As an associate for nearly 17 years, Martha left an indelible mark on the Exchange and the Warfighters it is honored to serve. She joined the team in 2007 with extensive retail experience but found her true calling in supporting our Nation’s heroes.

“Martha lit up a room,” Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull said. “Everywhere she went, she would love people, take care of them, teach them, nurture them, coach them—all the things you would expect from someone who truly wants to be a servant leader. … She truly believed in the mission of serving those who serve.”

Robuck’s son Mead spoke of her devotion to Warfighters and their families.

“We truly are appreciative of the honor and recognition of my mom’s service at AAFES,” he said. “She truly loved what she did day in and day out. She loved the relationships that she made and the friendships that she made … and more than anything, she loved the people who serve our country.”

Robuck spent her Exchange career in Merchandising, becoming a divisional merchandise manager for Military Clothing in 2010. She was softlines PAR director from 2011 to 2015, hardlines PAR director from 2015 to 2018, PAR planning director from 2018 to July 2020, when she was promoted to vice president of softlines. She was named consumables vice president in March 2021.

“She would be very honored to be recognized in this way,” her son said. “This is a good way to commemorate her career and 17 years at AAFES. The Robuck family truly appreciates this award. From the bottom of our hearts, it really means a lot.”