129 Years of Family Serving Family: Donna Saiz, Davis-Monthan AFB Burger King

One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 129 years of family serving family

Who she is: Donna Saiz, food service worker, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Exchange Burger King

Years at the Exchange: 26 years

Military connections: Saiz, a Clovis, New Mexico, native, married her high school sweetheart after he returned from being stationed in Germany more than 20 years ago. They made Tucson home for her children, grandchildren and mother after her husband retired as a master sergeant after 27 years in the Air Force.

What brought her to the Exchange: While her husband was stationed overseas, Saiz worked for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) before transitioning to the Exchange. Saiz saw parallels in the work at the Exchange. “I just liked working with people and I’m a people person, so I wanted to help serve,” she said.

Her Exchange career: Over her 26-year career, Saiz has served the Davis-Monthan community as a food service worker dedicated to enhancing the customer experience by creating genuine relationships. Her career has allowed her to experience many changes, including three store remodels. Recently, her Burger King underwent a renovation, and she recalls the location previously showcasing cultural decor relating to the Southwest and Native American history, such as statues protected in glass cases.

Memorable moments: Saiz said that team celebrations such as birthdays and service anniversaries are not taken lightly, feeding into the family serving family core value. She recalls being celebrated for her birthday and receiving a coin from Western Region Senior Vice President Ronny Rexrode for being recognized in the Chief Operating Officer Operation: Call Out.

Saiz hopes that instilling traits of kindness and patience to her team will add to the impact she has with the Exchange. She enjoys “getting to know my customers by their first name.…They’re appreciative that I remember their names.”

Saiz tells her team members: “Just be kind, patient, have a positive attitude and take one day at a time.”

What Family Serving Family means to her: “It means we’ve become a family taking care of each other.”