The U.S. Military Academy Exchange was recently crowned among the best of the best at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s annual conference, receiving the organization’s highest honor, the Director/CEO Cup.
The USMA Exchange — which encompasses retail stores, Military Clothing stores, restaurants and more at West Point, Fort Hamilton, Picatinny Arsenal, Stewart Air National Guard and Tobyhanna Army Depot — was selected from among nearly 100 eligible Exchange stores for its exceptional service to the military.
U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School Commandant Col. Richard Johnson and West Point Garrison Commander Col. Travis Robison each wrote letters in support of the USMA Exchange’s nomination, detailing how the store has served the community.
“(Last year), West Point suffered from a ‘one-in-a-thousand-year’ flood event,” Johnson wrote. “However, our AAFES teammates at the West Point Exchange found a way to make it in the very next morning to support our Reception Day. … We would not have completed our mission without the personal courage and dedication from this team.”
Robison also praised the Exchange for being “exceptionally responsive to community feedback and needs,” noting that it has provided invaluable savings to the community, kept stores open during adverse weather events, and been a key contributor to installation events.
“The USMA Exchange team shows up every day because they love serving the military community,” said USMA Exchange General Manager Julissa Pettway. “It’s a huge honor and also very humbling to receive this award. It’s a great reminder of why we do what we do.”
One winner and one runner-up were awarded the Director/CEO Cup in each of four size categories, based on sales volume: mega, large, medium and small. The USMA Exchange was the winner in the medium category.
The winners were selected based on customer experience, leadership, business results, marketing efforts and community presence.