Senior Leadership Editorials

COO Dave Nelson presents his coin to associate Lamorty Kirkpatrick Jr., during his visit to Fort Hamilton.

It is Always About our Associates

By Dave Nelson / September 28, 2016 /

My responsibility is to ensure our people have the resources they need to meet the objective and are on track. We have tremendous talent at the Exchange who often have the best ideas, so I need to get out of their way and allow them to run with it.

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Director/CEO Tom Shull meets with third-country nationals who work in some contingency locations.

Continuing the Spirit of Selfless Service

By Tom Shull / August 30, 2016 /

From Director/CEO Tom Shull Fifteen years ago, the world witnessed unprecedented destruction in New York City and Washington, D.C. In the ensuing months and years, Exchange associates have served with Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines, exemplifying our motto—We Go Where You Go. On that September morning, then-Washington Office Director Bob Ellis was waiting for a meeting…

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Work Bucket List Accomplished, I am Leaving the Exchange in Capable Hands

By Robert Philpot / August 24, 2016 /

I remember that day in 2006 when I was named to my dream job: chief operating officer of the world’s greatest retail organization. My “work bucket list” included many things I wanted to accomplish as the Exchange’s senior civilian leader: increase earnings, build future leaders, boost productivity, improve customer and associate satisfaction, control inventory, take…

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Jim Jordan

Celebrating Legacies, Looking Toward Our Future Leaders

By Tom Shull / August 1, 2016 /

Two valued team members, our Chief Financial Officer Renee Figge and President/Chief Operating Officer Mike Howard, are readying to enjoy the rewards of the Exchange’s unmatched deferred compensation plan as they embark on new journeys in retirement. Originally a management trainee, Renee dedicated three decades to protecting and preserving the Exchange’s fiscal health in our…

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Congratulations on 121 Years of Service!

By Tom Shull / July 1, 2016 /

This month, the Exchange celebrates 121 years of serving Soldiers, Airmen and their families. A lot has changed in those 12-plus decades. What began on the American frontier as individual Army post exchanges, often one-room stores, is now a single global $8.5 billion enterprise and No. 52 on the National Retail Federation’s top 100 retailers…

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Be Proud of Your Legacy: You are the Backbone of the Country

By Tom Shull / June 1, 2016 /

As I write this column, the Exchange has just wrapped up the 2016 MSM/GM conference. GMs, MSMs and key headquarters executives coming together, sharing ideas strengthen us as a team as we confront the challenges of a shrinking military and an ever-increasing competitive retail environment. It was inspiring to recognize the many deserving Exchanges that…

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Pausing to Honor the Fallen On Memorial Day, Let’s Remember the Heroes

By Tom Shull / May 1, 2016 /

We are a free nation because of these great Americans. We remain free because of the people we have the privilege to serve today. On Memorial Day, the nation pauses to honor service members who, in Abraham Lincoln’s words, “gave the last full measure of devotion” while serving our nation. We are a free nation…

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Celebrating Achievements, Looking Toward Future

By Tom Shull / April 1, 2016 /

Congratulations! It is Truly an Honor to Serve with Each of You  I have exciting news to share about the Exchange’s 2015 financials. I have seen the preliminary results, and our team can be proud of what is projected to be record-setting dividends for the past year. Once we have the final results, I will share…

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We Appreciate You, Associates!

By Tom Shull / March 1, 2016 /

Exceptional Results are Work of Entire Team  We appreciate you! I begin this month’s column by thanking each of you for your dedication, commitment and passion in serving our country’s Soldiers, Airmen and their families. Impressively, earnings have been very strong at $367 million—almost 7 percent better than expected. These exceptional results are the work…

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Share the Connections

By Tom Shull / February 1, 2016 /

Tell Customers, Coworkers of Your Military Connections Happy new fiscal year! 2015 has come to a close, a year in which we celebrated 120 years of service and support. How fortunate we are to continue a legacy 12 decades in the making. The start of any new year is an opportunity to reflect upon the…

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