Offutt Exchange earns top award

Published June 26, 2015
55th Wing Public Affairs

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The Offutt Air Force Base Exchange system, which includes stores at Offutt AFB, Lincoln, Nebraska and Camp Ashland, Nebraska., Camp Dodge and Des Moines Airport, Iowa and Sioux Falls, S.D.; was recently named the best small Exchange in the world.

On June 25, Exchange Director and CEO Tom Shull and Exchange Chief Operating Officer and President Mike Howard presented the Offutt Exchange with the Director's Cup, the Army & Air Force Exchange Services' highest honor.

This is the second year in a row the Offutt Exchange has earned this award.

"It is unprecedented to win this award two years in a row," said Shull. "This is an amazing team."

"This is something you'll never forget," said Howard. "It's kind of like in sports, the Super Bowl or World Series, a lot challenge for it, try for it, but you're the ones who won it, so congratulations."

Each year three Exchange stores - one large, one medium and one small - are recognized out of 127 stores worldwide for leadership, expert customer service, innovation and business results.

"This is not only a testament to the Offutt associates," said Daniel Wise, Offutt Exchange general manager, "but also to our customers."

Some factors cited in awarding the Offutt Exchange the Director's Cup included management forging personal bonds with installation leadership and keeping their shopping destination extraordinarily exciting with regular customer convenience shuttle service from the Main Exchange at Offutt, customer contests and prizes, ranging from gift cards to trips.

"What a remarkable accomplishment," said U.S. Air Force Col. Marty Reynolds, 55th Wing commander. "If you've ever been here to the Exchange you know for a fact that it's no wonder why they won -- it's just tremendous."

Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff.

For more than 119 years, the Exchange's mission has been to support the men and women of the armed forces during military operations, humanitarian missions and other endeavors around the world.