AAFES chief gets dose of Grissom's 'small-town charm'

Published Aug. 26, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Ben Mota
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- The small-town charm and a clean and friendly environment of Grissom's Base Exchange recently garnered it some high-level notoriety.

Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Pearson, Army and Air Force Exchange Service senior enlisted advisor, visited Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., to meet with service and community members to address AAFES related issues, Aug. 12.

"The first thing I noticed was how clean and updated it looked," said Pearson. "Grissom has that small-town charm, and everybody knows each other on a first-name basis; it's a really friendly atmosphere."

Pearson was quick to join that friendly atmosphere by speaking with Exchange customers.

"The primary purpose of my visit is to speak to customers to determine their needs and resolve any issues customers and Exchange staff might have," said Pearson. "I also ensure customer satisfaction and inform customers of the benefits provided to them from shopping at the Exchange."

One of those benefits is dividends provided to Army and Air force morale, welfare and recreation programs.

"For every dollar earned, historically 67 cents comes back to the military community from the dividend the Exchange generates on behalf of Air Force Services," said Pearson. "Last year there was $53,000 generated that came back to Grissom's MWR facilities."
In addition to MWR dividends, the Exchange also provides overseas Department of Defense school meals, bakeries and water plants.

"All of the services provided by the Exchange are a direct result of the customers served," explained Pearson. "That is why it is so important to ensure customer satisfaction."

And, customer satisfaction is one area Grissom's Exchange strives to achieve.

"The chief was able to get some one on one time with everyone one on base," said Priscilla Humphrey, Grissom Exchange manager. "This is a great way to measure customer satisfaction and show customers that we care about their needs."

Those customer needs change on a regular basis, and the Exchange is constantly striving to find ways to change with the needs of its customers, said Pearson.

"The big push now is trying to provide products and services that customers want and targeting products for the customers wants and needs," explained Pearson. "If you have an item that is not selling you might want to replace it; it's a constant readjustment to ensure that you are keeping products that customers want and need."

By speaking to customers, Pearson said he is able to take issues directly to AAFES Headquarters where he works in Dallas, Texas.

"If an issue comes up I have the ability to take it directly back to headquarters to get a quicker resolution," he said. "Fortunately, during this visit all I heard were great things about Grissom's Exchange."

Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.

News Search

Talking the talk

AAFES chief gets dose of Grissom's 'small-town charm'

Public Affairs Staff