129 Years of Family Serving Family: Amanda Brownell, Holloman AFB Exchange

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

Who she is: Amanda Brownell, services business manager, Holloman AFB Exchange

Years at the Exchange: 24

Military connections: Her grandfather served in the Army and her brother in the Navy.

Brownell says that seeing what her family did for the military, and now seeing how the Exchange supports the military, gives her a unique perspective for that way of life.

Exchange connections: Brownell worked at the Holloman Express under Denetta Brownell, who worked for the Exchange for 31 years. Before she retired, Denetta introduced Amanda to her son, Ronny, who would sometimes come to visit his mom for lunches and work events. Amanda also grew close with Denetta’s daughter, solidifying her place in the family. Soon, Amanda began dating Ronny, and they got married in 2018.

Operation Allies Welcome: Brownell played a major role during Operation Allies Welcome in 2021.

With help from Exchange headquarters, local commands and vendor partners, Exchanges offered clothing, shoes, blankets, children’s toys, snacks, mobile phone accessories, hygiene products and other essentials as part of Operation Allies Welcome to help Afghan guests complete the necessary steps for resettlement in the United States.

“My general manager and I met with command, and they said, ‘We have this mission that’s about to happen. They’re about to show up at Holloman and we need to be out there to support them. What can you do, and how fast can you be there?’” Brownell said. “And my general manager said, ‘Amanda and her team will be out there tomorrow.’”

Brownell’s team had a very quick notice, so the rush was on to get the Holloman store ready for the Afghan guests and U.S. troops.

“I got a team together to get the merchandise, and for two weeks we sold merchandise to the guests out of the back of a pickup truck, on fold-out tables and under some pop-up tents. So that was really an experience that you wouldn’t think that you would have here stateside.”

Memorable moments: The Vietnam War Veterans Day pinning ceremonies were also very meaningful for Brownell.

“Getting to know those military members, hearing their stories and being able to provide a welcome home ceremony for them is great. They’re so appreciative of us doing that for them and it’s so heartwarming to be able to be a part of that.”

Family Serving Family: “Getting to know the customers, active-duty and retirees over the years, many of them have become like family to me,” Brownell said. “They’re some of my best friends I’ve met from working at the Exchange for more than 20 years. I’ve gone to weddings, birthday parties and reunions. We’ve all become family, and it all originated from being here.

“It’s a pleasure to help serve them and treat them like family because a lot of them have earned that respect, and they deserve that treatment. Then you get to know them, and they do become family.”