Winner`s circle - Commissaries.com

decavision www.commissaries.com

Patrons, workforce and stakeholders working together to create ‘raving fans.’

SUMMER 2009

Ramstein hits $5 million record Page 23

Grand openings, reopenings thrill customers Pages 26-31

Blackwell leader honored Page 42

Best commissaries, grand openings, honors galore: welcome to DeCA’s

Winner’s circle

decavision Summer 2009 Vol. 18, No. 3 decavision is an authorized publication for members of the Defense Commissary Agency. It is published by Corporate Communications, DeCA Headquarters, Fort Lee, Va. Contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or DeCA. Printing is by offset method; printed circulation: 10,000. Readers may submit articles and photos. Suggestions and criticisms are welcomed. All pictures are DeCA photos unless otherwise identified. Contact editor at: decavision, HQ DeCA Corporate Communications, 1300 E Ave., Fort Lee VA 23801-1800; telephone 804-734-8000, ext. 4-8768; e-mail: [email protected]

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OUTREACH WIZARDS: Tinker Commissary, Okla., won the 2008 Outreach Challenge for the best outreach to Guard and Reserve category, and the Air Guard in Tulsa, Okla., enjoys the store’s on-site sales. DeCA photo: Jim Spaur

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GRAND OPENINGS GALORE: New stores and major renovations thrill customers in Georgia, New York, Texas and Italy, Pages 26-31.

EEO HONORS: Three people and a region achieve agency honors for equal opportunity support.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: You’ve got mail ............................... 34 DeCA heroes .................................. 40 Heart of the benefit ...................... 43 Industry produce award ............... 51

COVER STORY: Kim Graham, grocery work leader, Robins Commissary, Ga., helps complete final preparations for the gala grand opening of the new store in May. See story, Pages 28-29, and “Heart of the benefit,” featuring Graham, Page 43. DeCA photo: Rick Brink

Philip E. Sakowitz Jr. DeCA director and CEO

Corporate communications James Frost ............................................... director Lt. Col. Karen Hawkins .................. deputy director Staff contributers Rick Brink ..................................... PAO, DeCA East Cherie Huntington .................. editor, decavision Nancy O’Nell ................................ PAO, DeCA West Kevin Robinson ............................. media relations Dr. Pete Skirbunt ............................ DeCA historian Millie Slamin .................. public affairs specialist Gerri Young ............................... PAO, DeCA Europe

Surf VISION online @ http://www.commissaries.com/employees/news_room/vision_magazine/index.cfm

! fromthetop

Get word out on savings Philip E. Sakowitz Jr. DeCA director and CEO

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e’ve closed out the fiscal year and, thanks to you, sales hit an all-time high of $5.9 billion. Stretching to achieve sales records provides opportunities to excel, improve processes, and remind our customers that the commissary is worth the trip. You might ask, however, why customers would care about our sales figures – in effect, asking: “What’s in it for me?” I’ll answer that question in one word: savings. In achieving our goal, our customers saved an astounding $2.77 billion on their grocery bills this year. Wow! In tough economic times or even a period of relative prosperity, that amount of savings can impact quality of life in a big way. I’m proud we’re able to leverage that kind of savings for our customers. Aren’t you? After all, we don’t profit from sales. Simply put, we sell products for what we paid for them. As a result, our customers benefit by saving on their grocery bills. I’m telling you this because you and I play an important role in getting the word out to our customers about the commissary benefit and why “it’s worth the trip.” Communicating the importance of using this benefit should be an ongoing effort, because there will always be new customers or authorized patrons who don’t use this benefit and don’t realize what they’re missing. I encourage each of you to continue to get the word out. Take a few minutes from your busy day to explain to your customers that a family of four can save nearly $3,400 on their grocery bills annually; a couple can save more than $2,100; and a single person saves nearly $1,200. We’re not talking nickels and dimes here; we’re talking significant savings

DeCA Director and CEO Philip E. Sakowitz Jr. greets meatcutter Donald Segers during a May visit to Fort Belvoir Commissary, Va. DeCA photo: Rick Brink

on top-quality, national brand products. Whether customers spend that savings on more groceries, back-to-school clothes, or even a beach vacation is not our concern. What’s most important is that they understand that shopping at the commissary can have a positive impact on their lives. My thanks to you for what you do.n

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! coverstory

Best Commissaries 2008

Winner’s circle

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Kevin L. Robinson Corporate communications

ive commissaries were honored as DeCA’s best during the Defense Commissary Agency’s 2009 Conference and Training Event in Richmond, Va., May 19. Winning commissaries by category for the competition were: • • • • •

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“When we acknowledge our best it sets a standard across the agency that raises the bar for all our stores,” said Philip E. Sakowitz Jr., DeCA director and CEO. “These awards validate the excellence of our employees and industry partners as they deliver a world class benefit to our most deserving customers.” Runners-up and honorable mentions were:

Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Bill Nichols Award for Best Large Commissary in the United States; Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., Richard M. Paget Award for Best Small Commissary in the United States; U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr, Germany, Dan Daniel Award for Best Large Commissary Overseas; Camp Stanley, South Korea, L. Mendel Rivers Award for Best Small Commissary Overseas; and Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., Director’s Award for Best Superstore.

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• • • • •

Nichols Award runner-up: Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C.; Paget Award runner-up: Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren, Va.; Daniel Award runner-up: U.S. Army Garrison Schinnen, Netherlands; Rivers Award runner-up: Camp Zama, Japan; and Director’s Award runner-up: Fort Eustis, Va.

Honorable mention, overseas: Daniel Award – U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt and Ramstein Air Base in Germany; and Aviano Air Base, Italy.

! Left, trophy winners hoist their Best Commissary hardware for photos: Marty Roberts, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.; John Spaur, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.; Nancy Mitchell, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.; Jimmie Holzhauser, Grafenwoehr, Germany; and Jessica Crowl, Camp Stanley, South Korea. Rivers Award – Camp Carroll, South Korea; Cairo, Egypt; and Livorno, Italy. Honorable mention, continental United States: Nichols Award – Norfolk Naval Shipyard Portsmouth, Va.; Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.; and Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Wash. Paget Award – Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss.; Vance Air Force Base, Okla.; and Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas Director’s Award – Naval Base San Diego, Calif.; Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.; and Fort Bragg South, N.C. Winning stores are evaluated in four areas: accountability, unit cost, commissary customer service survey and sales.

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Accountability: All departments in the store – meat, grocery and produce – must be accountable for their physical inventory. Unit cost: A store’s annual operating expenses must meet or come in below the average of previous years. Commissary customer service survey: The store must exceed the average for DeCA its sales category. Sales: Stores in the continental United States must show a positive sales growth averaging fiscal 2008 with previous years’ sales.

DeCA’s best commissary awards recognize overall excellence in commissary operations and service. The awards are named in honor of legislators who protected the commissary benefit and championed quality-of-life issues for the military and their families. (Note: Staffs listed were current as of selection time.) w Below, DeCA West dominated the 2008 Best Commissary awards, with three of five winners toting trophies westward: Store Manager Jessica Crowl, Camp Stanley, South Korea; Store Director Nancy Mitchell, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.; and Store Director John Spaur, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., celebrate with zone and region leadership. DeCA photos: Rick Brink

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Tinker

Best US superstore: Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Checkouts: 16 in-lane, 4 self-checkout Employees: 102 Fiscal 2008 sales: $46.6 million Age: Built 2005 Zone: 8 Store director: John Spaur Spaur became store director in 2007 after serving overseas in Okinawa and Japan as store director, Sasebo and Hario John Spaur Village commissaries, where he won his first Best Small Commissary Award in 2007 at Hario. Previously, he was store manager then store administrator at Camp Foster, Okinawa. His commissary career began in 1989. Store administrator: Jimmy Smalley Store manager: Andrea White Produce manager: Steve Johnson Meat manager: David Westbrook Grocery manager: Alfred Nelson III

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Customer service manager: Vernon Knibbs Zone manager: Ron McMasters What do customers love about your store? Our customers love our total commitment to outstanding customer service, a goal we practice every minute of every day. This begins with a spotlessly clean store with fully stocked shelves and extends to fast and courteous checkout. Throughout their shopping experience, customers are greeted by friendly, motivated employees who are willing to go the extra mile to make our customers feel like family. Does your team have a motto or inspirational saying? Tinker ROCKS! What’s an example of how your team makes the commissary worth the trip? This is a wonderful story that unmistakably defines Tinker’s “go the extra mile” approach to customer service. A mother from another state called the commissary hoping to order a cake for her son, a

Left, Tinker Commissary hosts onsite sales for Reserve and Guard units, such as this one for the Air Guard in Tulsa, Okla. DeCA photo: Jim Spaur Below, Tinker scored two silver Penguins in the 2008 March Frozen Food Month display contest for best end cap and department displays. Team Tinker went gold in this year’s competition with three gold Penguins: two for end cap and department displays, and one for overall store promotion. DeCA photo: Andrea White young airman, soon to turn 21. The only problem for this distant mother was getting the cake to her son, who lived in the barracks. Andrea White, store manager, simply asked for the customer’s phone number and son’s name, explaining the commissary would take care of matters. The Tinker team proceeded to coordinate the cake order, then contacted the airman requesting his presence at the commissary to pick up some groceries his mother had purchased. When he arrived, the young airman was escorted into the store conference room. He was greeted by a crowd of commissary employees holding his birthday cake, singing “Happy Birthday.” The Tinker team didn’t stop there; they had also called the airman’s mother and family, who were on the phone to sing a personal “Happy Birthday.” What does this honor mean to your team? This is truly the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! It genuinely validates the hard work each and every employee puts forth, day in and day out. It is proof positive that the total team effort to maximize our patrons’ shopping experience isn’t a well-intended gesture, but a reality. Winning this honor is the best pat on the back our team could receive.

to the challenge to be “Best in the West.” This is no easy task in any commissary, large or small. It began with a firm foundation: tremendous pride in serving the dedicated men and women of our military community. Every employee built upon this with each customer they met, creating a lasting momentum. The enduring desire to be the best quickly became the standard. Each and every employee made the best superstore nomination a reality!

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What else would you like everyone in DeCA to know about your store? Our entire team made a firm commitment to rise 7

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Ellsworth

Best large US store: Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD Checkouts: 8 in-lane, 2 self-checkout Employees: 42 Fiscal 2008 sales: $14.4 million Age: Built 1991 Zone: 9 Store director: Nancy Mitchell Mitchell became store director in 2007 after serving overseas as store administrator, Andersen Commissary, Guam, and Nancy Mitchell store manager, Lakenheath Commissary, England. Her commissary career began in 1988. (She now serves as store director, Fort Myer Commissary, Va.)

produced some interesting dialogue. The couple had moved away from the area about 10 years prior and was making their first trip back. They claimed that our commissary was the cleanest, most well-stocked commissary that they had been to in years. They also claimed that they were very impressed with the overall courteousness of the employees. The couple said that they had recently decided to return to the area, and our commissary was one of the deciding factors. These delightful people certainly pay tribute to the DeCA slogan: “The Commissary – It’s Worth the Trip.”

Assistant store director: Edward Packer Store administrator: Rozlynne Goyer Produce manager: Cindy Hawk Meat manager: Robert Aldrich Grocery lead: Jan Tharp Customer service manager: Darin Perkins Zone manager: Jerome Katrenick What do customers love about your store? Most of them appreciate the personalized customer service they receive from all our employees. Ellsworth Commissary employees take a great deal of pride in providing quality customer service. We have established close relationships with many of our return customers, and some are on first-name basis with our employees. Does your team have a motto or inspirational saying? No, but we are inspired by the fact that we consider ourselves more than just a workforce or a team – we are more like family. The employees challenge each other to excel at daily tasks and provide support in times of need. The Ellsworth Commissary family works together to provide the best possible customer service, enhancing DeCA’s positive image. What’s an example of how your team helps make the commissary worth the trip? Recently, an elderly retired couple returned to the Black Hills area on vacation and decided to pick up a few things in our commissary. The assistant store director initiated a conversation with them that 8

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Jan Tharp, grocery lead, knows customers love a welcoming smile and personalized service. DeCA photo: Berlyn Ghost

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TEAM ELLSWORTH What does this honor mean to your team? This honor reinforces our belief that every task, large or small, was not in vain. Every effort to provide our military active duty, Guard and Reserve members, and retirees with this valued benefit has been recognized by our leaders and has provided a benchmark for ourselves and our sister commissaries. What else would you like everyone in DeCA to know about your store? It is very important to understand that every member of the Ellsworth Commissary contributed to this notable achievement, as did our contractors, baggers, and industry partners. Noteworthy is that in the past several years, we have established a favorable relationship with our custodial, stocking and RSHA (receiving-storage-handling area) contractor. Black Hills Services has provided these services to Ellsworth Commissary for almost two decades, but has become part of our commissary family in the last several years. This relationship has made it possible for us to successfully interact on a professional level and still maintain an amicable atmosphere to work toward our ultimate goal of providing the commissary benefit.

Sakae Mueller, sales store checker, takes a fruit tray order from a customer. DeCA photo: Cindy Hawk

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Grafenwoehr Best large overseas store: Grafenwoehr, Germany

Checkouts: 6 in-lane, 4 self-checkout Employees: 82 Fiscal 2008 sales: $15.5 million Age: Built 2007 Zone: 31 Store director: Jimmie Holzhauser Holzhauser became store director in 2008 after serving as store director at two other locations in Germany: Vilseck and Hohenfels. His commissary career began in 1981.

Jimmie Holzhauser

Deputy: Ingrid Ruiz Store manager: Marilyn Eller Produce manager: Diane Krajcovic Grocery manager: Leroy Gibbs Customer service manager: Maria Tauber Bakery-deli manager: Jeffrey Pavlowski Zone manager: Randy Eller What do customers love about your store? Our friendly staff and store appearance. Does your team have a motto or inspirational saying? No request or challenge is too large for our team, because our motto is: “YES, WE CAN!”

The Grafenwoehr Grab-N-Go makes healthy choices easier for customers by offering portions of fresh fruits and vegetables for lunch or snacks. DeCA photo: Ingrid Ruiz 10

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What’s an example of how your team makes the commissary worth the trip? The following letter from our local Department of Defense Dependent Schools Europe middle school is the perfect illustration: The management and staff who helped with Netzaberg Middle School Field Day deserve a double thumbs-up award! More than a month ago, Netzaberg Middle School was able to pull off an amazing field day for more than 560 students. This was my first year as the physical education teacher in this military community, and I will never forget my first meeting with commissary management. They explained how the commissary could not donate items, but they could work with me on getting industry partners to help with the supplies we were requesting. Coming from the States, I was frustrated because, stateside, you have multiple stores within your community to approach for support, and it just seemed easier to get what you wanted. Boy, was I wrong! I wish I could attach a photo of the sport utility vehicle that was filled to the gills with items for our soldier volunteers and students. It was truly amazing!

Grafenwoehr Commissary’s spacious warehouse provides ample space for case lot sales. DeCA photo: Ingrid Ruiz

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TEAM GRAFENWOEHR DeCA photo: wallyimages.com The luncheon we were able to offer the 50 or more soldier and parent volunteers was so incredible, it was one of my field day highlights. To see the soldiers’ faces when we said, “Lunch is on us,” really warmed my heart, and it was all because Grafenwoehr Commissary staff went above and beyond to make it all possible! Heide Hurd What does this honor mean to your team? It gives us pride in our work and a strong sense of community; it makes us do our very best every single day. What else would you like everyone in DeCA to know about your store? The majority of our employees are military spouses. Management ensures that not only do new employees get trained as they come on board, we continue to mentor them, as well. As a result, our entire staff takes care of each other like family, and that results in employees taking care of our customers like family.

Fresh, made-to-order sandwiches from Grafenwoehr Commissary remain a big hit with customers. DeCA photo: Ingrid Ruiz

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Columbus Best small US store: Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Checkouts: 5 in-lane, 3 self-checkout Employees: 39 Fiscal 2008 sales: $11.4 million Age: Built 1983, renovated 2006 Zone: 1 Store director: Marty Roberts Roberts became store director in 2008 after serving a year as store administrator. He previously Marty Roberts served as grocery manager at Ansbach Commissary, Germany. His commissary career began in 1985, with a three-year break for a civilian retail management position. Store administrator: La Vida Nethercutt Produce manager: Donna Rhodes Meat manager: Timothy Fields Grocery manager (acting): Larry Dean Customer service manager (acting): Linda Burkes Zone manager: Arnielle Fernandez

Does your team have a motto or inspirational saying? We have a motivational poster that says it all, pointing out that ATTITUDES are what matter: Always make today your best day Take pride in a job well done Treat others with respect Isolate negative thoughts Treat tasks as opportunities Use your talents every day Do it right the first time Expect positive outcomes Speak well of others What’s an example of how your team makes the commissary worth the trip? We are more than a grocery store. We are a gathering place for retired veterans who come to feel that they are still a part of a unique lifestyle that welcomes

What do customers love about your store? Our southern hospitality and dedication to customer service! They love the friendly and helpful workforce, from the vendor stockers, contractors and baggers to DeCA employees. Our last mission support group commander said that we help make the base feel more like home and family. That feeling had been lost through the years; however, he was able to see it once again.

A dog’s dream house made of Milk-Bone biscuits steals the show in this creative display at Columbus Commissary. DeCA photo: LaVida Nethercutt 12

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TEAM COLUMBUS them and reminds them of the “good ol’ days.” They come to tell old war stories and feel good about their service to their country. When they see an old friend, we see them stand taller and shine with pride to have served our country. We also nurture our young active duty through outreach and try to educate them on the premier benefit the commissary provides. What does this honor mean to your team? A sense of pride in a job well done! We realized that when we pull together as a team instead of just individuals, we can accomplish anything. What else would you like everyone in DeCA to know about your store? We are a small store with a big heart. We believe our customers come first, and they are the reason we are what we are. w

A colorful spring bunny peeks from a mass display of soda at Columbus Commissary. DeCA photo: LaVida Nethercutt 13

! Best small overseas store: Camp Stanley, South Korea

Camp Stanley Checkouts: 3 in-lane Employees: 9 Fiscal 2008 sales: $1.2 million Age: Opened 1989 Zone: 36

until they leave, the Camp Stanley Commissary team makes every effort to make the customer feel at home. After all, it is their commissary. We do whatever it takes to make their visit pleasant, enjoyable and definitely worth the trip.

Store manager: Jessica Crowl Crowl became store manager in 2005 after her selection for the intern program at McChord Jessica Crowl Commissary, Wash., in 2002 and serving as grocery manager at Malmstrom Commissary, Mont. She began her commissary career in 1991.

What does this honor mean to your team? It’s overwhelming – you always hear of stores being the best or someone wanting to be the best. So you strive to become the best, and when you succeed, it is just unbelievable. The Camp Stanley team is more cohesive now than it has ever been before.

Commissary operations assistant: Yu Yong-Kun Lead worker: Chon Hae-Saeng Lead sales store technician: Park Hyun-Yi Zone manager: Wayne Walk

What else would you like everyone in DeCA to know about your store? We want everyone to know that we take the DeCA motto, “The Commissary – It’s Worth the Trip,” very seriously, and we work very hard every day to live up to that motto for our customers.

What do customers love about your store? Customers see a clean, well-organized store, as well as happy and courteous employees ready to ensure that they receive the best customer service each and every time they visit. Does your team have a motto or inspirational saying? “BEST IN THE WEST” – we have always strived to be the best. What’s an example of how your team makes the commissary worth the trip? From the time the customer walks through the front door

This little dinghy could make away with quite a lot of fresh goodies from this display featuring organic selections available at Camp Stanley Commissary. DeCA photo: Jessica Crowl 14

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Above left, Camp Stanley Commissary’s back to school Dollar Days display featured a bear swinging overhead. DeCA photos: Jessica Crowl Above right, a vendor offers a special bargain on short ribs for Chusok, a major harvest festival and three-day holiday in mid-August in Korea. The commissary won best site store overseas in DeCA’s meat merchandising competition this year. Left, This colorful mass display sparked customer interest in the annual Quaker-Tropicana Free Breakfast promotion.

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TEAM FORT EUSTIS U.S. Army photo: Sid Lilly

Fort Eustis

What do customers love about your store? The fun and excitement of the displays, the fully stocked shelves, the clean and inviting atmosphere, the friendly and helpful employees. To sum it up, the total appearance and customer service of Fort Eustis Commissary.

Runner-up, US superstore: Fort Eustis, Va. Checkouts: 14 in-lane, 4 self- checkout Employees: 110 Fiscal 2008 sales: $45.9 million Age: Built 1991 Zone: 28 Store director: Brian Tatum Tatum became store director in March 2009 after serving a year as store administrator; he took the Brian Tatem reins from Steve Villeneuve, store director since 2002, now store director for Langley Commissary, Va. Brian Tatum previously served as store manager, Kadena Commissary, Okinawa. His commissary career began in 1979; Villeneuve’s, in 1982. Store administrator: Vicky Shabbott Produce manager: Eugene Baldwin Meat manager: Ronald Owens Grocery manager: Melanie Niebuonrit Zone manager: Wagina “Gina” Klimpel 16

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Steve Villeneuve

What’s an example of how your team makes the commissary worth the trip? Every employee here works as part of a team and will go above and beyond their job to help a customer. They are truly dedicated to customer service. What does this honor mean to your team? That all the hard work and dedication finally proved to be worth it. We always knew we were the best, and now everyone else knows. What else would you like everyone in DeCA to know about your store? The employees here take pride in being the best. We are here to serve the most deserving, and Fort Eustis Commissary is worth the trip.

! Runner-up, large US store: Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC

Parris Island

Checkouts: 4 in-lane, 3 self-checkout Employees: 40 Fiscal 2008 sales: $14.5 million Age: Built 1996 Zone: 29

Store director: Iveena Henderson Henderson served as store director since 2006 and was previously store administrator, Iveena Henderson New Orleans Commissary, La. Her commissary career began in 1990. (She now is assigned as store director for Naval Weapons Station Charleston, S.C.) Store administrator: George Wills Grocery manager: Rufus Fripp Meat supervisor: Jason Sather Produce manager: Terry Gant Customer service manager: Earlene Mills Zone manager: Alan Jones What do customers love about your store? Our customers love our clean facility, fully stocked shelves, and pleasant shopping environment. Our employees’ friendly smiles and attitudes bring

our customers back. Customers also love the commissary’s overall savings. What’s an example of how your team makes the commissary worth the trip? We have quite a few disabled customers who require special attention. We make every effort to make them feel comfortable during their shopping experience. Our dedicated employees work together as a team to ensure excellent customer service is provided to every customer. Our retirees use the commissary as a meeting place because of the inviting atmosphere. Some of our customers also visit our store on a daily basis just to talk with our employees. What does this honor mean to your team? This honor is confirmation to our team that we are accomplishing the mission of providing a premier quality benefit to our military community. If we make the customer the focus of all the work that we do, we can reach any goal that we set. This honor also has increased team morale and fostered a pleasant working environment. What else would you like everyone in DeCA to know about your store? Everyone should know that our store understands that the competition was tough, and that we are honored to represent DeCA East large stores.

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Runner-up, large overseas store: Schinnen, Netherlands

Schinnen

Checkouts: 4 in-lane, 2 self-checkout Employees: 44 Fiscal 2008 sales: $8.9 million Age: Built 1976 Zone: 30 Store manager: Earnest Stewart Stewart became store director in 1996 after serving as grocery manager then store manager, Ramstein Commissary, Germany. His commissary career began in 1986.

Earnest Stewart

Deputy: David Bowron Produce manager: Christa Allen Grocery manager: Edith Dowtin Customer service manager: Johannes Wijtsema Night manager: Elbert Dantzler Zone manager: Ken Chastain What do customers love about your store? We make customers our friends. By taking time to get to know them, we learn who they are and what they want. Our customers often drive a long way to Schinnen, so it is our personal goal to have all their needed items in stock and make their stay enjoyable. We always go that extra mile – whether it is personally following a special order from start to finish, taking the time to walk a customer to a special item, having a 99 percent in-stock rate, or just knowing their name and family. What’s an example of how your team makes the commissary worth the trip? Not long ago, my daughter was at a restaurant talking to an American who lives in the Netherlands. After a while, the subject came to Schinnen Commissary. “I love to go there, and I plan a trip every two weeks,” the American said. “Every time, I am amazed. It is neater than neat; they have all my favorite products; and the staff makes me feel known. For me, Schinnen Commissary is an allAmerican experience that makes me feel a lot closer to home.” 18

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What does this honor mean to your team? It’s a great honor and we are proud of it, because we competed against the best stores in the industry. The recognition that comes with this award is an excellent boost to our morale. We also know that we are not the only store that strives for accountability, great customer service and a well-stocked store – others succeed, as well. At the same time, we realize that we could have never come this far without the investment and trust from DeCA. They allowed us to become successful, and we are honored to be the ones to see the fruit of their investment in us! What else would you like everyone in DeCA to know about your store? Without a doubt, I want to mention our loyal Schinnen family. Over the years, I have seen our people grow into the best team I have ever had the privilege to work with. Thanks to my Dutch team, many of whom have served faithfully more than 26 years. Thanks to my managers and my day shift, who take more than excellent care of the customers. Thanks to my loyal night shift that makes the store stand tall every morning. This award is a direct reflection of what all team members do on a daily basis to make our customers part of the Schinnen family.

TEAM SCHINNEN

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Runner-up, small US store: Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Va.

Dahlgren

Checkouts: 3 in-lane Employees: 22 Fiscal 2008 sales: $3.8 million Age: Built 1995 Zone: 24 Store director: Romualda Garrett Garrett became store director in 2009 after serving as store administrator for two years. Her commissary career began in 1998.

Romualda Garrett

Store administrator: Walter Ford Grocery manager: Nelia Hooban Meat department POC: Edward Porto Produce department POC: Norman Stepney Customer service POC: Yong Ethridge Zone manager: Troy Collins What do customers love about your store? Our patrons love the relaxed, family atmosphere at Dahlgren. They often compliment us on our friendly, helpful staff; the excellent meat and produce departments; the colorful displays and clean appearance of our store. What’s an example of how your team makes the commissary worth the trip?

The Liberty Single Sailor Program outreach activities – Dahlgren hosts six tenant commands, including two training schools with about 100 to 200 students at any given time. These students have classes on different schedules, so the single sailors who have evening classes never get to participate in the single sailor program events. This year, activities were held at night to allow them the opportunity to participate. The single sailors were thrilled; they won prizes and learned a lot about the commissary. We now have raving fans. What does this honor mean to your team? It’s a tremendous honor to receive this award because it recognizes our employees’ efforts and hard work in serving the best military in the world, their families and retirees. What else would you like everyone in DeCA to know about your store? Dahlgren Commissary’s motto is: “The little store that can.” We are a small store but deliver a big benefit. Our employees are our greatest asset. They are “gungho” – they are efficient, dedicated and committed to providing excellent customer service. They take pride in what they do and get things accomplished with remarkable results.

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! Runner-up, small overseas store: Camp Zama, Japan

Camp Zama

Checkouts: 2 in-lane, 2 self-checkout Employees: 16 Fiscal 2008 sales: $3 million Age: Built 2007 Zone: 35

wanting to come back. Along with the thrill of great shopping and savings, friendly atmosphere, heartfelt smiles and great customer service from our staff, the customers enjoy their time at our commissary while they fill their carts with a variety of healthy choices.

Store manager: Yoko Banko Banko became store manager in 2005 after serving as meat manager, Yokosuka Commissary, Japan, and Yoko Banko grocery manager, Sagamihara Commissary, Japan. Her commissary career began in 1984.

What does this honor mean to your team? This honor means that we are doing the right things – creating a pleasant, enjoyable place for our customers to shop for a variety of healthy choices at the right price and with the best customer service. It truly gives our staff pride in what we do because we see the difference that it makes to our customers every day.

Assistant store manager: Toshinori Ogawa Zone manager: Bruce Graf

What else would you like everyone in DeCA to know about your store? Although we are a small store, Camp Zama employees work hard, and they do a terrific job taking care of our customers. It’s good to see the staff recognized for their hard work. Credit also goes to our parent store, Sagamihara, and the other Kanto Plain commissaries. We couldn’t take care of our customers as well without their support.n

What do customers love about your store? They love the great and professional customer service. What’s an example of how your team makes the commissary worth the trip? The shelves are always fully stocked, and if we do not carry what the customer wants, we always try to transfer it from another store for them and continuously follow up with the customer. It is all about making the customer feel special and

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McChord Commissary, Wash., won best superstore honors in grocery merchandising. DeCA photo: Peggy Russell

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Grocery merchandising

ive stores took top honors as this year’s best in DeCA’s 14th Annual Grocery Merchandising Contest. The competition takes place spanning five weeks and rewards commissaries for their originality and creativity. Zone managers who oversee operations of the winning commissaries accepted the awards from Philip E. Sakowitz Jr., DeCA director and CEO, during the agency’s 2009 Conference and Training Event in Richmond, Va., in May.

Five stores excel in creating displays to intensify customer interest These awards, including the new Meat Merchandising Contest and longstanding Produce Merchandising Contest, are presented each year to commissaries identified as building the best displays. To stand out, they must also excel in adhering to the sales directorate’s promotional program packages, exhibit creativity and enthusiasm in merchandising commissary

products, and encourage the participation of regional and local companies in promotional programs. “These awards showcase our stores’ excellence, imagination and hard work in bringing excitement to the sales floor,” Sakowitz said. “Our merchandising award recipients have raised product displays to an art form.”

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Heidelberg, Germany, won best large overseas store. DeCA photo

Fort Eustis Commissary, Va., won best large U.S. store. DeCA photo: Alzina Skinner

Ellsworth Commissary, S.D., won best small U.S. store. DeCA photo

Grocery merchandising ... Best U.S. superstore: McChord Air Force Base, Wash.

Best small U.S. store: Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

Best large U.S. store: Fort Eustis, Va.

Best small overseas store: Cairo, Egypt

Best large overseas store: U.S. Army Garrison Heidelberg, Germany

Best zone: Zone 35, DeCA West Best region: DeCA Europen

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Cairo Commissary, Egypt, won best small overseas store. DeCA photo

! hotsales

Ramstein makes sales history Becomes first-ever overseas store to achieve $5 million month Store Director Harry Nichols discusses Ramstein Commissary, Germany, and his team’s historic milestone achieved in March.

primo month to finally push you over the last hurdle? Ramstein specializes in moving product. We are always aggressive with OTBs – One Time Buys – and are known to attempt to carry every product possible. Our industry partners also know Ramstein never passes up an opportunity to increase sales and customer savings. As the commissary with the highest sales in Europe, we want Ramstein to be the premier shopping experience in Europe. We did what we always do: sell, sell, sell.

A

Q A

When did you and your team start leaning forward to try and achieve the $5 million sales goal? The $5 million target was set at the end of fiscal 2008. With Ramstein’s continued sales growth, we saw we had a good opportunity to break the $5 million barrier. Our first attempt was in December 2008. It looked like a real opportunity, and we just missed it by $73,000 – with a new sales record of $4.9 million. In the beginning of March, we noticed unexpectedly high sales. Knowing we already had a very large “March Madness” club pack order due in, we saw an outside possibility. We then worked with our industry partners in obtaining special sale prices on regular and club pack items. With industry assistance, we managed to boost patron savings and sales and just made it over the top with $5,007,316 in sales.

Q A

How did the customers help with this effort, or was it primarily an internal action below the customers’ radar? Most of the action was below the customers’ radar; however, they helped by stocking up when we had the prices right. This still did not hurt April sales — we realized a $53,000 sales increase in April as well.

Q

Did you have a special strategy to help achieve this, or was it just the

Q

Was this something that you had to wait until the end of the month to find out, or were you able to track and “sort of” know when the goal had been achieved? Starting March 15, we tracked sales daily. We knew we were close, but we weren’t sure we would make it until the last day. On March 30, we only made $115,000, and everyone was very disappointed.

A

Here we go again, “close but no cigar.” Then on March 31, we rebounded with a whopping $172,000 in sales, and we knew it was in the bag.

Q

Everyone looks so jubilant in the photo. What does this history-making achievement mean to you and your staff? (Team Ramstein photo featured on Page 52.) We are all very pleased. It was a sure indication we were achieving our goal of taking care of the most deserving customers in the world. It also showed we’re doing what we’re supposed to do – and we’re good at it.

A Q A

What’s the next goal?

We are looking forward to $6 million. But first, we are going to work on the $5 million every month and will be looking for $60 million in sales for fiscal 2010.n

‘Million transactions club’ Only seven stores hit million customer transactions in fiscal 2008 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii NB San Diego, Calif. Fort Belvoir, Va. Fort Lewis, Wash. Ramstein AB, Germany Fort Bragg South, N.C. Fort Meade, Md.

1,356,099 1,144,993 1,123,898 1,115,494 1,103,956 1,032,581 1,008,249n 23

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Worldwide savings

Annual spring case lot sale sets record — as usual

McClellan Commissary, Calif., provides an “openair” spring case lot sale. DeCA photo: James Reddington Left, Svetlana Steele, Chievres Commissary, Belgium, apparently knows a great deal when she sees one. DeCA photo: Charlita Covington

M

ay’s worldwide case lot sale lived up to high expectations by setting another record for the annual spring event, with sales of nearly $18 million. “It truly is teamwork that makes our programs work,” said Charlie Dowlen, DeCA’s chief of promotions. “We had great pricing on the case lot items, and with the store sales properly set up and executed, the customers responded with their purchases, which resulted in another recordbreaking event.”n

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! outreachpros

Outreach Challenge

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Commissaries excel at ‘targeted approach’ to market benefit

efense Commissary Agency officials recognized seven commissaries for outstanding outreach May 20 during the agency’s 2009 Conference and Training Event in Richmond, Va. The winning commissaries are: Fort Carson, Colo., best outreach to retirees; Camp Lejeune, N.C., best outreach to new recruits and schools; Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., best outreach to Guard and Reserve; Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, best outreach to E1-E6, continental United States; Misawa Air Base, Japan, best outreach to E1E6, overseas; Camp Pendleton, Calif., best outreach to military families and spouses, continental United States; and Kadena Air Base, Japan, best outreach to military families and spouses, overseas. Zone managers who oversee operations of the winning commissaries accepted the awards from Philip E. Sakowitz Jr., DeCA director and CEO. “The best outreach efforts tend to echo great relationships between the stores and the military communities they serve,” Sakowitz said. “The DeCA team members involved in these outreach events have gone above and beyond our mandate to help

spread the news about this benefit. Congratulations to the winning stores!” Each year for the past six years, DeCA has held an Outreach Challenge in which commissaries compete for the most originality and creativity in marketing the benefit. The challenge encourages commissaries to reach out to authorized shoppers who may not be using their commissary benefit, or who may not be using it regularly, and provides a unique opportunity for store directors worldwide to share their best outreach practices with others and strengthen the commissary benefit. “The Commissary – It’s Worth the Trip!” theme emphasized a targeted approach to outreach and marketing to military families, spouses and retirees, with a special focus on key demographic groups such as young, single service members and the Guard and Reserve. The theme encouraged commissary employees to think nontraditionally in their approach to outreach, during this time of tight budgets and time constraints. Commissaries entering the competition submitted packages that documented their best outreach efforts over the previous year. Entries were judged on originality and creativity of outreach strategy, effectiveness in reaching intended audiences, and results.n

The commissary at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, invited “a few friends” over for Commissary Awareness Month in May. All received a commissary briefing, then were invited to stay for store tours, healthy choice shopping challenge, watermelon eating contest, cart races and turkey bowling. Sheppard Commissary won the Outreach Challenge category of best U.S. enlisted outreach for 2008. DeCA photo: Lisa McCormick 25

! futurenow

Saluti da Livorno

New $7.2 million commissary makes debut in Italy

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Gerri Young DeCA Europe public affairs officer

he grand opening of the new Livorno Commissary on June 5 was the talk of the town at small but picturesque Camp Darby in Livorno, Italy. “Come on over to Camp Darby today for the biggest event ever!” proclaimed the voice of American Forces Network Europe radio, broadcasting just outside the store’s main entrance. Everything came together to make the event a huge success. Beautiful Italian blue skies shined over the day, casting shadows from the enormous umbrella pines covering the base. A big crowd of Italian and American guests and customers gathered for the ribbon cutting. The Italian Folgore Brigade Band provided the musical pomp and circumstance, and the ceremonial ribbon received an extra flair as two carabineers, or Italian police, in full dress uniform, took station at each end.

Dream becomes reality

For Store Director Giuseppe Ricci, opening day was the culmination of many months of working to make the new store a reality. “The old facility was our home for many years, and we worked hard to make it the best it could be,” said Ricci. “I have a great team working for me, and many others came from around the zone to help us get started in the new facility. We promise our customers this store will be even better, with more space and more efficient processes. We hope people from all over Italy and Europe come shopping with us soon.” Once inside, customers were treated to free cake and demos of beef, pork, juices and pizzas, located throughout the store. Customers were greeted with new things everywhere they turned, starting with the Grab ‘N’ Go and a big, modern deli. The deli offered popular rotisserie chicken for the first time along with countless pieces of pizza and dozens of sandwiches. The store offers a different sandwich specialty every day, including wraps, quesadillas, tuna and toasted focaccia with ham, mushrooms and artichokes. Left, an Italian policeman, in full-dress uniform, adds special flair at Livorno Commissary’s grand opening. U.S. Army photo: Joyce Costello 26

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More fresh produce

The greatly enlarged produce department is the first in a European commissary to use gourmet shelving, enabling the small store to offer smaller amounts of more items for customer selection. Wide aisles led shoppers through the store where they found more than 500 new products. By day’s end, customers had voted for the new store with their pocketbooks, purchasing more than $29,000 in commissary goods – double a normal day’s business – and the trend continues. “Sales are doing very well in the new store,” said Ricci. “Even a month after we opened, customers were shopping more, and we are very pleased with the increased sales.” The old facility, attached to the base exchange, will be turned over to Army and Air Force Exchange Service for sales area expansion.

The new Livorno Commissary dazzled customers and employees alike, who were accustomed to shopping in a facility built in 1953. DeCA photo: wallyimages.com

Facts about new store

Total square feet: 26,455 Sales area square footage: 12,848 Checkouts: 5 Line items: 6,300 Store director: Giuseppe Ricci Store administrator: Paolo Lemmi Grocery merchandiser: Daniele Cerrai Produce manager: Eugenio Chiavazzo Meat manager: Luigi Ferretti Customer service: Giovanni Rontanin

A life-sized, display cow seems to be checking the meat case at Livorno Commissay. DeCA photo: Gerri Young

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Robins celebrates new store

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Rick Brink DeCA East public affairs officer

ommissary shoppers at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., got their new $16 million store off to a rousing start with opening day sales May 28 of $201,000, contributing to a four-day opening weekend total that exceeded $698,000. “It’s a great store,” said Store Director Paula Lewis. “We knew our sales would rock. Watching this store being built just across the street the last two years stirred such anticipation for customers and employees alike that everyone I’ve talked to is so excited and pleased about shopping here.” Opening-day activities featured a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony that followed remarks by DeCA Director and CEO Philip E. Sakowitz Jr., 28

decavision!Summer 2009

Valencia Henley, store associate, hit all the right notes when she sang the national anthem a cappella at the grand opening of the new Robins Commissary, Ga., May 28. Store Director Paula Lewis, in background, said she asked Henley to sing because she advocates letting employees use all of their talents and capabilities on the job. DeCA photos: Rick Brink Left, dozens of colorful cupcakes masquerade as a many-tiered cake at the grand opening celebration.

and Maj. Gen. Polly Peyer, commander of Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. “All we have to do is look over there at the old commissary to compare it to what’s before us today. Let me tell you, it’s as different inside as it is outside,” Sakowitz told the crowd of about 200 people gathered outside the new store entrance. He pointed to the former commissary, a converted warehouse building that featured ramps, steps and an elevator at the front entrance, which contrasted with the street-level entrance of the new store where Sakowitz stood. A brightly lit, expansive interior; larger produce and fresh meat departments; larger frozen and chilled sections; a large delicatessen and bakery; and aisles wide enough to accommodate three carts passing at once were among other differ-

! ences of the new commissary that drew rave reviews from customers. “There’s not a store in town that’s any better than this one,” said 71-year-old William James, who remarked that it was the third commissary he’s shopped in at Robins, since he’s lived in the area for more than 33 years. The opening was a festive event with numerous prizes, product mascots, food demonstrations and great prices for shoppers to enjoy. It didn’t take long for customers to catch the shopping spirit. Shoppers waiting in line for the grand opening started filling their carts to take advantage of special deals on melons, pineapples and potatoes on display outside the front entrance. At the end of her shopping run, Chris Virgilio joined her husband, Steve, for a photo with Sakowitz and Peyer as one of the first shoppers to be checked out. She bought only a few items, using the visit to check out the store. “This is a big improvement,” she said. “It’s going to be great shopping here.”n

Right, customer Tonya Brown samples a strawberry while grandson Malachi raises his cupcake in a salute to the new commissary. Below, Marcea Boyd, storeworker at Fort Benning Commissary, Ga., lends a hand in the produce section for the grand opening.

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Fort Drum renovation People-pleasing improvements follow 18-month makeover Rick Brink DeCA East public affairs officer

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ustomers had high praise for Fort Drum Commissary, N.Y., following the June 30 grand reopening, marking completion of a $17.7-million remodeling project. The major renovation – a ceiling-to-floor makeover that included expanding the sales area some 9,000 square feet – was all done as the store continued to provide full service throughout

Above, Store Director Bob Smith stands ready to deliver opening comments at the ribbon cutting. DeCA photos: Rick Brink Right, perfect end cap displays await grand opening day shoppers. Far right, a colorful produce display greets customers as they enter the store. 30

decavision!Summer 2009

the project. It was also paid for by commissary shoppers. “This renovation was done using $17.7 million in surcharge dollars,” DeCA Director and CEO Philip E. Sakowitz Jr. told the crowd. “The surcharge is the 5 percent that’s added to your commissary receipt, and sometimes we’re asked, ‘Where does the surcharge money go?’ Well, you can see it and experience it here today.” Shoppers experienced the culmination of 18 months of

construction that created a new front entrance and converted unused warehouse space into sales floor and office space. The store went from 13 aisles to 17 and tripled the space devoted to chilled and frozen items. The new, brightly lit interior and wide aisles are designed to make shopping more enjoyable. The deli, bakery and sushi-to-go services – formerly in different locations in the old store – are now conveniently located together. Commissaries are known for their high shopper volume, so keeping shelves stocked can be a challenge for storeworkers. Expanded shelf space gained by the renovation accommodates a larger volume of products, making it better able to meet customer demand throughout the day, said Bob Smith, store director. Smith called the reopening a festive event and said there were prizes and giveaways to mark the occasion as well as great prices on popular products. Grand reopening day sales exceeded $143,000, and the momentum continued the next two days with a three-day sales total surpassing $300,000.n

!

Digging Dyess

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Nancy O’Nell DeCA West public affairs officer

Customers love their ‘jazzed-up’ commissary; sales take off

hoppers expressed their appreciation for newly renovated Dyess Commissary, Texas, on April 21 with more than just words. Store Director Garry Warrix reported grand reopening day sales of $60,093, about double a typical day’s sales before the renovation. “Sales have continued to climb since reopening day,” said Warrix. “May sales were up 12.6 percent over 2008, and June sales are up 15.1 percent.” After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, shoppers flocked into the store to scoop up the savings, special buys, samples and contest prizes. The commissary shined with all new interior finishes and an upgraded lighting system. The $11.3-million renovation project increased the size of the facility from 70,494 square feet to 76,577 square feet. The extra size and a reconfigured layout made a huge impact on the size of the sales floor, according to Warrix. “The store’s “Standing room only” describes the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the sales area increased by 30 percent,” he renovated commissary. U.S. Air Force photo: Airman 1st Class Chelsea White said. Both the produce department and deli expanded by 50 percent, and an aisle of upright freezers and one coffin freezer expanded the frozen food section. Bread is now located in its own dedicated alcove, and dairy products are merchandized behind glass doors. The store’s backrooms also received an overhaul. Industry and DeCA worked for several months to prepare the store for the grand reopening with the brunt of the planning falling on the shoulders of Store Administrator Ricky Newport when former Store Director Alex Hebert retired in January. Warrix, the incoming store director, arrived the week before the reopening. “Ricky showed tenacity and true DeCA dedication during the months of preparation,” said Zone 6 Manager Martin Jackson. “He was involved with every measure of the planning. The store looked spectacular on opening day and has Jacqueline Lund, sales store checker, helps Senior every day since. We now have a first-class facility Airman Jaime McCartney at a self-checkout counter. to deliver the premier commissary benefit that our DeCA photo: Nancy O’Nell shoppers deserve.”n 31

! peoplealways

T • • • • •

• •

Leadership moves announced he following DeCA team members have been selected to serve in positions of increased responsibility, announced Aug. 31:

Ronnie Trimble, store administrator, Patch Barracks, Germany, to store director, Bitburg, Germany; Patrice Funderburk, store administrator, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, to store director, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif.; Cheryl Ludington, store administrator, Wiesbaden, Germany, to store director, Heidelberg, Germany; Celine Ruiz, store administrator, Naval Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to store director, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; Robert Bunch, Zone 12 manager, McChord Air Force Base, Wash., to chief, customer service division, Performance and Policy Directorate, DeCA Headquarters; Randall Eller, Zone 31 manager, Vilseck, Germany, to chief, grocery division, Directorate of Performance and Policy, DeCA Headquarters; Qahir Abdur-Rahman, commissary management specialist, Sales Directorate, DeCA

• •

• • • •

•

Headquaraters, to store director, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Jeanne Halterman, store administrator, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., to store director, Support Center Smokey Point, Wash.; Barbara Merriweather, commissary management specialist, Sales Directorate, DeCA Headquarters, to chief of assistance, DeCA West, McClellan, Calif.; Matthew Whittaker, store director, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, to store director, Yongsan, South Korea; Redo Nolletti, store administrator, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, to store director, Fort Monmouth, N.J.; Cynthia Six, store director, Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., to store director, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C.; Rasheed Diallo, leadership development specialist, to chief, succession management, Human Resources Directorate, DeCA Headquarters; and Teresa Duncan, human resources specialist, to chief, staffing and classification, Human Resources Directorate, DeCA Headquarters.n

DeCA’s first in-house trainees make debut

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‘Homegrown’ green belts

hough Kermit the Frog lamented, “It’s not easy being green,” 62 trained Lean Six Sigma “green belts”would likely say green is gratifying. DeCA’s first in-house training sessions held in May and August increased the number of green belts by 34. Starting the fiscal year with eight green belts, then training 20 more at off-site locations, the agency completes fiscal 2009 with 62. “This training is a win for the green belts, their respective directorates and for the agency,” said DeCA Corporate Planning Director Vicki Archileti. “We

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continue to use Lean Six Sigma to refine our business processes and instill an ongoing culture change.” In martial arts, students earn a green belt after they achieve a beginning level of competence. Using Lean Six Sigma methodology, the green belts streamline processes within their own functional areas. They may serve as team leaders or participate as team members in black belt projects, which are more complex than green belt projects. “They learned to use Lean Six Sigma tools to streamline processes in an effort to increase quality, improve timeliness, and reduce variations and redundancies,” said

Archileti. “They developed valuable skills such as decision making, problem solving, teamwork, and how to look at problems in different ways. They understand the value of collecting data to support proposed solutions.” The May class was facilitated by four master black belts from the Office of the Secretary of Defense Continuous Process Improvement; the August class, by four of DeCA’s black belts using OSD’s curriculum. DeCA now exceeds Department of Defense mandates to have 5 percent of its targeted workforce trained as green belts and 1 percent, as black belts.n

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EEO honors

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2009 awards highlight support of disabled

eCA recognized three employees and one region for outstanding accomplishments in the area of Equal Employment Opportunity during its annual awards ceremony, Aug. 12. The 2009 honorees are:

Phyllis Black Leader of the Year Store director, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Black demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities by encouraging employees of diverse backgrounds to develop their skills and reach their full potential both within the commissary and in their personal lives. Her Phyllis Black proactive leadership style resulted in the placement of eight individuals with targeted disabilities within her commissary, the highest number placed anywhere in the agency. Black’s tireless efforts in resolving workplace conflicts maintained a harmonious work environment and ultimately transformed a historically troubled store into a place of unity.

Acting DeCA East Director Bob Vitikacs and Deputy Director Donna Willis accept the Organization of the Year award from Philip E. Sakowitz Jr., agency director and CEO. DeCA photo: Pete Skirbunt

Supong Davis Employee of the Year Customer service manager, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. In addition to managing an outstanding customer service department, Davis served as a mentor to her employees. Her encouragement inspired many to seek careers in commissary operations. Her character and Supong Davis commitment to providing excellent service have won praise from the base community. In 2005, Davis was selected EEO Leader of the Year for DeCA. Phillip Gregg Disabled Employee of the Year Store associate, Fort Sill, Okla. Gregg’s persistence in mastering his job led to a productivity increase of more than 15 percent in the past year. In addition to his on-the-job excellence, he overcame a severe brain injury to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education Phillip Gregg from Oklahoma State University. As an educator, he serves his community by working with disabled children and assists families with special needs. DeCA East Organization of the Year The DeCA East team served as a model employer, hiring disabled individuals and blending diverse cultures to form a successful team. Its support of the agency’s initiative to increase the number of individuals with targeted disabilities gave disabled employees an opportunity to achieve their maximum potential in the workplace. The region has hired more people with severe disabilities than any other DeCA organization.n 33

You've got ...

Mail The world's best customers salute the world's best employees Spangdahlem

My thanks to Jeff Rose, store director of Spangdahlem Commissary, Germany. Thanks not only for your phenomenal support to the families of the 52nd Fighter Wing, but also for going above and beyond, and caring so much to support Operation Sew Much Comfort. You embody a sense of teamwork and loyalty to Jeff Rose our military community that is truly an inspiration to others. “Thank you” doesn’t seem enough to express my appreciation for all you do for us. Your quiet leadership and community support do not go unnoticed … ever. Mara Wright

Keesler

Ashleigh Pitalo, store associate at Keesler Commissary, Miss., was very friendly and helpful in the meat department. She answered questions knowledgeably. Her attitude and customer service made my shopping experience very pleasant. She sets a good example for others to follow. I wish all Ashleigh Pitalo stores had more workers like her. Tech. Sgt. John Long, U.S. Air Force

Edwards

Tinker

I usually buy six to eight cases a month of my favorite fruitflavored water. I had been having problems getting this water at Tinker Commissary, Okla., during the winter months, and I talked with Cynthia Aguirre, computer-assisted ordering specialist. She explained that the water was seasonal, and Cynthia Aguirre she graciously offered to try to locate some for me. She succeeded in her search, going above and beyond what she had to do. It is so refreshing to know there are people who care about others, and she does. Thanks, Cynthia! Pat McMillian

(Editor’s note: Letters are edited for length and clarity.)

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Tomisha Horn

What a delight to have such quality staff working at Edwards Commissary, Calif. Tomisha Horn, store associate, was so nice, friendly and personable. She helped me find a large bag of cat food that she carried from the backroom to my car! I will return to Edwards Commissary. Linda Nugent

Yokosuka

On a recent trip to Yokosuka Commissary, Japan, my wife and I were very pleased with the customer service. We had a couple of questions about a new product’s availability and procedures for requesting new items. Store Director Totolua Ripley was so helpful and took time to explain everything to Totolua Ripley us. He also enlightened us on a couple of other questions we had. He did so in a

! cheerful manner. We would like to thank the folks at our commissary for making visits enjoyable, and for continuing to provide us with great service. Anonymous

Shaw

I had been shopping at Shaw Commissary, S.C., and when I got home, I realized I had left my wallet in the cart. I called, and someone had turned it in, thank goodness. I went back to get it, but I couldn’t get on base because my ID was in the wallet. I made arrangements with Barbara Matta, lead sales store checker, to bring my ID to the gate. I know how busy they are, but she volunteered to bring it to me. It made my day. This was a nice thing from a nice employee. Kathy Tabov

Misawa

I couldn’t find a certain item at Misawa Commissary, Japan, but Glenn Cararina, storeworker, was more than happy to help out – kudos! Glenn went into the warehouse and got what I was looking for. R. LeFave

Fort Detrick

Glenn Cararina

I have shopped at the Fort Detrick Commissary, Md., for the past 15 years. I listen to customers as they bring things up to the commissary employees, and I have had questions also. One day last week, I overheard a customer speaking to Joe Johnson, store administrator. I was embarrassed and felt sorry for Joe. In all my years in the military and shopping at many commissaries, I have never heard such a rude and obnoxious customer. But to Joe’s credit, patience and professionalism, he remained calm and pleasant. I know I would not have been able to keep my calm, and I would have fired right back to the customer. Finally, when the irate customer was finished, I watched Joe walk away, and he greeted the very next customer with a friendly hello. Dealing with the public can be a difficult job, and the way he handled himself made me feel proud that someone cares about his store, customers and the military. I just want to say thank you to Joe Johnson for all he does and continues to do at Fort Detrick Commissary. Master Sgt. Jack Peters, U.S. Air Force, retired

McChord

I write to praise the efficiency of McChord Commissary, Wash., in general and two employees specifically. In late January, my wife and I had completed shopping late in the afternoon. It was

dark when baggers loaded our many bags into our van. It was also chilly, with the temperature hovering around freezing. I Debbie Anderson Arcy Obiacoro picked up a bag to help, and my 1954 class ring from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy slipped off my finger, bounced on pavement and disappeared through an iron grating into a drain. I returned inside, reported my problem to an employee then returned to my van for a flashlight. I was joined by Debbie Anderson, sales store checker, and Arcy Obiacoro, store associate. Ms. Anderson had a reaching device and a flashlight larger than mine. The lights quickly showed that water wasn’t flowing in the drain, and the ring was visible on silt about 2 feet below the grating. Mr. Obiacoro went to work and successfully pulled the heavy grating out of the way, and with Ms. Anderson’s help, I was able to retrieve the undamaged ring. We had only a few minutes to thank them because there were a lot of customers and because we were headed to an evening event. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Ms. Anderson and Mr. Obiacoro for their calm and helpful response, and to commissary leadership for the exemplary culture of customer support so clearly in evidence. Capt. R.J. Copin, U.S. Coast Guard, retired

McGuire

I compliment the produce department staff at McGuire Commissary, N.J. In tough times such as these, good customer service is hard to find. They have always gone out of their way to smile and be helpful with whatever my needs have been. I notice that they are that way for all their customers, too. I don’t know any of them personally, yet they are always ready to answer questions or go back to check stock to meet my request. Today was even more exceptional than normal. Giuliano Arestirado and Chianti McCaskill were so pleasant and helpful that I was shocked. Although these two were rather youthful, their skills were impressive. “Lenny” Arestirado

Chianti McCaskill

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! I was so impressed that I had to write a letter rather than fill out a suggestion card. The produce department at McGuire Commissary deserves some kudos. Tina Bonfrancesco

Camp Humphreys

Peter Yom, cashier at Camp Humphreys Commissary, South Korea, has always been very courteous when he rings up my items. He has a nice smile and will always answer when asked a question about the store. He makes my trip enjoyable. Thank you! Terry Tash

Redstone Arsenal

I only shop Redstone Arsenal Commissary, Ala., not because of prices but because of Store Director Robin Daniel and computer-assisted ordering specialist Richelle Rodarte. When an item I wanted was not available, Ms. Rodarte took time to find out why the item had not been ordered, even though she was off duty. She ordered and reordered the item, doing much of this off the clock. She took my number and kept me abreast of the status. Her hard work, professionalism, dedication and caring attitude reflects great credit upon her and Redstone Commissary. When I hear negative comments about the commissary, I tell them to go see Ms. Rodarte. My thanks to her for all her help. Lynn Warren

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Fort Jackson

A co-worker had recently lost his brother, and it was his first day back to work. Our office wanted to do something nice for him and decided on a fruit basket. I’m a regular shopper at Fort Jackson Commissary, S.C., but I had never seen fruit baskets for sale. I was headed off post to a grocery store but kept thinking that I should try the commissary, so I did. I did not see prepared fruit baskets but asked Debra Marklein in the produce section. She explained that normally baskets required 24 hours notice, but she would make me one. She made a beautiful basket and had it ready in 15 minutes. I am so glad I went to the commissary. I don’t believe I could have gotten anything better at the grocery store. Thanks to Debra, I will always go to the commissary first. Anonymous

Robin Daniel

Richelle Rodarte

Lajes Field

Aureliano Cabral

Fort Carson

McConnell

We went through the selfcheckout at McConnell Commissary, Kan., during two different weeks, and Ashley Hartman, sales store checker, did a wonderful job helping us. Both times, she was very attentive without hovering over us. She knew the items that would be trouble on the “look-up,” and when she saw them, she would

come over to help with them, without us having to ask for help. She was extremely friendly and helpful. With people like this young lady, our experience at the commissary has been pleasant. She makes the use of the self-checkout system much, much better. Neil Daugherty, U.S. Army Reserve, retired

Ashley Hartman

Aureliano Cabral at Lajes Field Commissary, Portugal, was very helpful in assisting me with an order of fruit platters for a school event. He was knowledgeable and courteous in handling my many questions. The order was exactly as requested and gained many compliments. Thank you, Mr. Cabral! Angela Grant

We entered Fort Carson Commissary, Colo., upon opening. The store was perfect – every item on every shelf was fronted; the floor was immaculate; the produce, fresh; the meat counter, perfect. From age 5 to age 25, I worked in my father’s supermarket, and grocery stores and liquor stores in Southern California. I know what it is to stock shelves, dust corners, front shelves, clean and mop floors, etc. The store was perfect, and I took the time to find the manager and tell her so. I special order filets from the meat department about once a month for a cookout with family and friends. Always a perfect cut, exactly as ordered, fat trimmed. I took the time to talk to the meat department manager and tell him the same thing. Everyone needs to know how hard they work to make it a great place to shop. Col. Mark Allen, U.S. Air Force, retired

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little adventure for my kids, and a hassle-free trip for me. This was certainly a “quality of life” issue that was handled with the utmost care and concern. Thank you from a happy military family! Lt. Cdr. Louise McKernan

Schofield Barracks

The world's best customers salute the world's best employees

Walter Reed

When we shop at Walter Reed Commissary, Md., my wife and I are pleased to see lead store checker Marjie Barfield there to provide customer service. She always makes us feel welcome, and generously offers to help, particularly in the selfcheckout line. Invariably, we call upon her and Ms. Barfield responds without hesitation. She skillfully takes care of any problem, which results in a flawless transaction. Her assistance holds true not only for us, but with other patrons as well. We feel fortunate and reassured knowing Ms. Barfield consistently takes care of her business, calmly and pleasantly. Please convey our appreciation to her. John Coulehan

Vilseck

I was on lunch break and decided to go to Vilseck Commissary, Germany, to order some taro roots. Jamela Dent, storeworker, was on her way out – I believe she was leaving for the day. I asked her if there was anyone in the back who could assist me. I saw that she was leaving, so I said I would find someone else, but she kindly took the time and found someone to help me. A little customer service like this goes a long way. I have worked in customer service for a very long time, and it seems you always get the negative comments, but people won’t take the time to give the deserving comments. Thank you, Ms. Jamela Dent, for CARING. Irene Sua

Fort Meade

I contacted Store Director Mary Williams regarding the deteriorating state of the multiple child carts at Fort Meade Commissary, Md. She agreed that something should be done to make it easier for military families with multiple children to shop. She kept in touch via e-mail and Mary Williams made things happen. Now we have beautiful, easy-to-use, clean, new multiple child carts that are both a treat for my three young children to ride in, and for me to shop with. Thank you so much for turning a chore into a

I entered Schofield Barracks Commissary, Hawaii, on June 22, and upon my approach to self-checkout, a happy young lady, Ann Cooper, store associate, greeted me confidently. She asked for my identification and began speaking to my children as if they were young adults. I watched my children shake her hand and talk to her as I retrieved my ID and began to check out. She continued to check on every customer at the self-checkout with enthusiasm and respect, and when my children began to give me trouble, she came to the rescue again – she entertained them while I finished my order. Without this kind of dedication, it would have been a nightmare to finish my order. I don’t know how long she has been working there, but I have never had that kind of help, and I haven’t encountered anyone that pleasant in a long time. With my husband being deployed, it is hard enough on us, but she made this shopping trip a pleasure. Please let her know that my husband and I appreciate her dedication to making our commissary trip the best experience. I will always look for her now, and my children always want to go with me and are learning a valuable lesson from her. Thank you, from a stressed mom. Heather Franz

Wright-Patterson

I thank the employees at Wright-Patterson Commissary, Ohio, for the “above and beyond” experience this morning. I’m a military wife with two boys, ages 3 and 8 months. My husband is currently on temporary duty, and I am preparing for our vacation by myself. I had a lot of shopping to do this morning. By the end of my trip in the commissary, my 8-month-old was crying and didn’t want to be in the cart any longer. One of your employees, a very kind woman, offered to push my cart so I could keep up with my 3-year-old and hold my baby as well. After picking up a couple more items, she helped me get my cart to the registers and handed me off to another wonderful woman, asking her to help me unload my cart. I teared up in thanking them for their help. You just don’t know how much I needed a little kindness and support today. It is wonderful to know that your employees are willing to push my cart for me, for even a few minutes … that meant so much.

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! Thanks to all of those wonderful people who have helped out any mommy in need in your store. You never know when it will just make someone’s day. Dawn Fetgatter

Luke

On two different days in July, store associate Lesley Clemons assisted me at Luke Commissary, Ariz. She was pleasant and attentive, and she made me feel as if I were the only person in the store. Ms. Clemons exhibits a personality and a willingness to help that leave a pleasant memory. On both Lesley Clemons occasions, I got the help I needed in a matter of minutes. She even makes it a point to say hello when she sees you, and she is ready to assist you despite the fact that she is busy. William Semper

Fort Bliss

My compliments to an outstanding employee, store associate Sandra Reyes, at Fort Bliss Commissary, Texas. Her professional attitude, as well as her performance, have always been colored with concern for the customer’s needs. Her performance in a variety of tasks – produce, meat and checkout – has been consistently superior. Each time I come to the commissary, my family looks forward to her winning smile and helpful performance. She makes shopping a pleasant experience. Col. Kassim Alexander, U.S. Army, retired

Iwakuni

My son was 7 months old and very colicky. He was screaming at the top of his lungs, and we had nothing available to stop his gas indigestion – and we were in a foreign country, Japan. The “seven-day store” had nothing; Iwakuni Commissary was closed, and it was late at night. Yet, there was a light on in the commissary office. I knocked on the door and told them what was going on. There were smiles on their faces, and they escorted me inside. I gave them cash and told them to keep the change, but they refused the change, of course. That was the best customer service I have ever received in 32 years. It was a personal touch that is missing in our day-to-day activities. Gunnery Sgt. Christina Grimes

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Port Hueneme

I commend sales store clerk Candis Cheshire, a very knowledgeable and friendly employee at Port Hueneme Commissary, Calif. She has come to my assistance on many occasions to locate items for me. I always look forward to seeing her smiling face. I know if I have Candis Cheshire a question or problem during my visit, I can always count on Candis to come to my aid. It’s almost like family when I walk through the doors and see her. This makes the run to the commissary an enjoyable and happy time, thanks to this wonderful, dedicated, efficient, charming individual. Master Sgt. Warren Geiser, U.S. Air Force, retired

Fort Hood I

Jane Cross-Sadler, cashier at Fort Hood I Commissary, Texas, is a very good cashier, surpassing many of her peers. She is very fast, accurate, polite, friendly and a most excellent asset to the commissary. She’s so fast I can’t keep up with her – my items are rung up faster than I can unload! Excellent worker. Georgeann Siters

Dover

I award a solid “well done” to Andrea Black, produce manager at Dover Commissary, Del. She consistently displays a work ethic that puts smiles on the faces of everyone who comes in contact with her. Our society could use many more like Mrs. Black. Lt. Col. Charles Erwin, U.S. Marine Corps, retired

Fort Hood II

Shoshana Wright is the most friendly person at Fort Hood II Commissary, Texas. She always has a pleasant way about her and a sunny hello. She makes me and my husband feel as if we’re visiting a friend instead of just getting groceries. I’ve seen her interact with other customers the same friendly way. She makes you feel happy to be there. Judy Gurgas

Little Rock

The Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4548 elected to spend $300 for the food pantry at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Another lady and I went to our commissary and were directed to Jeannie Sweatland, who got Linda Slaughter to help us. They made suggestions of items that were on sale or less expensive so we were able to purchase more items with our limited funds. Ms. Slaughter even helped us through the checkout and loading the

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Mail The world's best customers salute the world's best employees Lorenzo Thomas

items into our vehicle. This was very much appreciated, and both individuals were more than helpful. We truly enjoyed working with Jeannie Sweatland these two ladies; they made the experience much more enjoyable. Pat Reynolds, president, and Glendola Edwards, secretary

Eleanor Abille

Christina Quesada

Kadena

Linda Slaughter

Our on-base neighborhood planned an egg hunt for Easter Day at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. I was responsible for a fruit tray, so I called the commissary the day prior to reserve one. I received a pickup time of 9 a.m. Neither I nor the produce worker thought about the following day being Sunday, when opening time is 10 a.m. On Sunday morning, while standing outside, I was able to get the attention of Lorenzo Thomas, produce manager, and I explained the miscommunication in pickup time. He called Eleanor Abille, customer service manager, but she was uploading the registers and I couldn’t check out. They called Christina Quesada, cash processing technician, who was able to bring a self-checkout register online so I could pick up the fruit tray. This whole scenario made me feel so very special as a customer. They could have made the blanket statement about opening hours and returned to what they were doing, but they did the opposite and helped a patron by listening. I am proud to consider myself a customer of Kadena Commissary. I thank you all for your service and dedication to duty. Kem Frenchn

Need personnel service? Defense Logistics Agency Human Resources contacts: n Go to OneNet n Click “Resource Center” n Click “Employee Toolbox” n Scroll down to “DLA Personnel Servicing”

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DeCA heroes

Eight role models earn salute for selfless service, dedication

45-year veteran of commissary service. A military wife and mom of five. A store director with an inspiring outlook on life. DeCA honored its everyday heroes who help make the commissary worth the trip at the American Logistics Association conference and training event in Richmond, Va., in May. Excerpts follow from the nomination packages for this year’s eight honorees. u Nancy Allison, deli-bakery food service worker, Grafenwoehr Commissary, Germany Allison started at Grafenwoehr in June 2008 and proved to be dedicated to her work and to pleasing customers. Her efforts contributed to the successful results of the annual department inventory, and a number of patron communications highlight her Nancy Allison outstanding customer service. u Billy Benner, store director, Naval Station Port Hueneme Commissary, and acting store director, China Lake Commissary, Calif. Zone 18 Manager Robert Varela traces Benner’s positive outlook on life back to his selfless dedication. “His ‘service before self’ work ethic is one to be emulated,” said Varela, “and he has always Bill Benner gone above and beyond as a normal way of approaching each day during his 12 years with DeCA.” u Myong Brown, store administrator, Yongsan Commissary, South Korea Supervising a multinational workforce, Brown leads by example, often working alongside her teammates to ensure the store is completely ready for the start of each day’s business. She maintains an outstanding Myong Brown relationship with her workforce, community, and local and national union representatives. u Jeanne Caraballo, sales store technician, Illesheim Commissary, Germany A military spouse with five children, Carabello started as a cashier at Illesheim in February 2008. 40

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Store management praised her for quickly immersing herself in the Commissary Advanced Resale Transaction System, becoming the store expert. She helps customers – especially elderly and disabled patrons – by locating products for them and taking special orders. u Gerald Perez, storeworker, Key West Commissary, Fla. Perez’ Jeanne Caraballo commissary career started in 1964, and at 80 years old, he inspires everyone around him, according to Store Director Cindy Six. “Our customers know him very well and often seek him out whenever they need something,” said Six. “When he needs time off, he ensures that he takes his day off on a Wednesday, the only day that Gerald Perez we do not receive a truck delivery. He cares very much for his co-workers and customers alike.” u Marc Petit, Lean Six Sigma black belt, DeCA Headquarters, Va. One of DeCA’s “charter” black belts, Pettit serves as a model of exemplary leadership with dedication, commitment to excellence and superior technical acumen. In the “Streamlining the Receiving Process” project, he Mark Pettit dramatically improved a difficult and costly situation, which will save DeCA at least $3.5 million annually once the new process becomes fully implemented. u Bonita Ramsey, store manager, Fort Bragg South Commissary, N.C. Ramsey transforms the commissary into a winter wonderland each holiday season, establishing Fort Bragg South as DeCA’s “Christmas Store.” Her savvy in organizing large Guard Bonita Ramsey and Reserve on-site sales in Charlotte, N.C., generated sales in excess of $700,000 in fiscal 2008. w

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Forever friends ‘Hopscotch, apples and Mr. Lane’ spell commissary fun for young customer

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Ingrid Murray Special to Vision

f you see a happy 3-year-old hopscotching through the produce section at Fort Belvoir Commissary, Va., that would be my son, John Murray Jr. I want to share a story with you about our commissary. Everyone knows about the great prices and variety, but this is about something else our commissary offers ... it is about hopscotch, apples and Mr. Lane. Recently our commissary installed a permanent hopscotch display on the floor in the produce section. My son John Jr. loves it. Whenever we go to the commissary, he is so excited and always asks, “Can I hopscotch in the apples?” The game serves two purposes: He gets to play, and I use it to let him pick out the fruit he wants to take home. Last week when we arrived, my son was already out of the buggy skipping towards produce saying, “Mama, I get to hopscotch, yeah for me.” He rounded the corner and I followed him. All of a sudden I almost ran over him. He had stopped and was looking back at me with big tears

in his eyes and said, Raymond Lane “Mama, I can’t get to shakes with his hopscotch no more.” buddy, John Murray A pallet of Jr., pledging to watermelons covered keep the produce the hopscotch display. hopscotch graphic For my son, it was available for play. heartbreaking. I was Courtesy photos trying to reassure him that maybe next time he could within minutes, the watermelons play, but he said, “No mama, I were moved, and John Jr. was always get to hopscotch real good free to hopscotch. two times and pick out my fruit Fast friends were made that from the hopscotch.” day between Mr. Lane and John Just about then, Deputy Store Jr. Mr. Lane gave John Jr. his Director Raymond Lane came card and told him, “Now you by. Seeing the big tears in John Jr.’s are my hopscotch checker. If the eyes, he asked what was wrong. game is ever covered, you come John Jr. pointed to the pallet of and let me know and I will fix it.” watermelons and replied, “I can’t Now when we visit the hopscotch in the apples today.” commissary, before we leave, John Mr. Lane said, “Well, we will Jr. pokes his head in the office take care of that right now.” He door and lets Mr. Lane know, “The pulled out his walkie-talkie and, hopscotch in the apples is OK.”n

DeCA heroes ...

years, helping less fortunate families to celebrate the season. She also arranged for used industry point-ofsale materials, headed for the trash, to be delivered to the local Children’s Hospital, where they are used as decorations.n

u Andrea White, store manager, Tinker Commissary, Okla. Another DeCA “Christmas Angel,” White has coordinated a Christmas giving program for 30

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Leadership, Blackwell style Zone 21 manager Cook credits teamwork in winning agency honor Millie Slamin DeCA public affairs specialist

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ichard “Dick” Cook, Zone 21 manager for DeCA East, received the Defense Commissary Agency’s Blackwell Leadership Award for 2008. The award is presented each year to recognize the employee who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, courage and integrity. Cook received the award May 19 at DeCA’s Annual Training Event and Conference in Richmond, Va. “Great leaders have vision and direction,” said DeCA Director and CEO Philip E. Sakowitz Jr., “and Dick has certainly proven his focus is on working with his team and our industry partners to help deliver a premier benefit.” DeCA East Acting Director Robert Vitikacs agreed, noting that Cook has repeatedly demonstrated his propensity for performance-driven leadership that has continued to exceed expectations by introducing innovative programs that increase sales and savings. Cook’s team increased sales by 3.8 percent and customer count by nearly 2 percent, besting the agency’s average increase of 1.6 percent.

and creative when looking for new ways to deliver the commissary benefit to customers. “He personifies the very spirit of public service, because he intuitively understands and nurtures in others the understanding that the truest of leaders simply serve,” Vitikacs continued. “His many years of operational, fiscal and managerial excellence and experience lend him an unprecedented and iconic level of authenticity and credibility with store directors, DeCA Director and CEO Philip E. zone managers and region Sakowitz Jr. presents the 2008 leadership.” Blackwell Leadership Award to Cook said he is deeply honored Zone 21 manager Richard “Dick” to have been chosen from a field Cook. DeCA photo: Rick Brink of highly qualified candidates. “To me, this award means Vitikacs said Cook keeps working hard, maintaining one’s his team focused on exceeding integrity, persevering through customer service expectations – challenging times, and staying even during the often incredibly focused on the goal of serving our complex and operationally servicemen and women and their challenging transitions unique to families,” Cook added. military installations. The award recipient said he “Where others see risk and considers team building to be his uncertainty, he sees opportunity strongest leadership trait. – embracing and fostering an “I recognize that meaningful environment where his team’s success and change cannot come creative and innovative solutions from me alone,” continued Cook. routinely overcome challenge “All I have achieved during my after challenge,” Vitikacs added. career has been the result of As for his leadership working as a team. abilities, Vitikacs said Cook is “My peers, subordinate the quintessential leader who employees and DeCA’s leadership communicates a common vision throughout my career have been to his team and encourages them outstanding. I would have never to achieve it, always leading by received this award without example and inspiring others to their support, mentorship and follow his lead and be innovative guidance.” The Blackwell Leadership Award is named in honor of the late Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael W. Blackwell, who — Bob Vitikacs served as DeCA’s senior enlisted advisor to the director from March 1994 to March 1995.n

Where others see risk and uncertainty, he sees opportunity ...

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! Yofthebenefit ‘Heart of the Benefit’ celebrates the Kim Graham winning work philosophies of three Robins Commissary, Ga.

outstanding DeCA team members.

What do you like best about your job as grocery work leader? What I like best is the pace of daily operations. I love staying busy and enjoy facing different challenges every day. I truly enjoy interacting with our customers and working alongside a fantastic group of co-workers. How do you help make the commissary worth the trip? Hopefully I help by ensuring we exceed customers’ expectations of superb product availability, quality and excellent customer service. I treat every customer as the most important person to me when I am assisting them. I listen to their feedback, recommendations and suggestions and submit them to store management for consideration. What’s your professional history? I am the spouse of an active-duty Air Force member and have been part of the Air Force family for more than 25 years. Due to my husband’s numerous permanent-change-of-station moves over the years, I have worked in a variety of jobs. In addition to having served in the Air Force myself, prior to joining the DeCA team in 2003, I worked as a custodial worker, housekeeper, lodging desk clerk, cook, cashier, inventory specialist, and deli-bakery manager. Since joining DeCA, I have worked as an administrative clerk, grocery worker and work leader. What are your professional goals? My short-term goals are to continue to learn, work hard every day, and go back to college in an effort to improve myself. My long-term goals are to earn a degree and, if I’m fortunate enough, to earn the opportunity to become a store director. Who influenced your career most and why? The person who has the most influence on me is my husband. Whether it’s my work, school, family life, or anything that life brings our way, he always supports me. Even when applying for different positions within DeCA, when I didn’t think I had a chance to be selected for the position, he encouraged me and somehow everything always worked out for the best. w

Kim Graham DeCA photo: Rick Brink

We are truly fortunate to have Kim Graham. From her excellent work in the management support center to the outstanding job she is currently doing in the grocery department, Kim displays an exceptional work ethic and attention to detail that gains her the respect of all who work with her. Her outgoing personality and desire to always get the job done has made her a valuable member of Team Robins. I look forward to watching her move up in this organization. With her drive and dedication, I believe there is no goal Kim cannot reach!

Chris Milligan, store administrator 43

! customers deserve and expect. What’s your professional history? It’s unbelievable, but I’m now in my 29th year of government service. I served in the Air Force for 12 years. After separation, I worked within the Department of Defense in various retail positions including Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Navy Exchange, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. I joined the DeCA team in 2006. I hope that this will be my last stop in the DoD system. Clarence Hicks DeCA photo: Belinda Dowdle

Clarence Hicks Croughton Commissary, England What do you like best about your job as store associate? The part I like most is daily interaction with customers. Not only do I get the opportunity to provide a service to the customer, but I also get trained in various aspects of DeCA operations at store level. I’m making the first stop in transition from customer service manager to store associate. I’m training in the produce department, learning tasks such as ordering, receiving, inventory control and displaying a variety of quality products for our customers. How do you help make the commissary worth the trip? Because I work on such a small base, everyone pretty much knows each other. When customers come into the store we usually greet by first name. At Croughton, we have a more personal relationship with our customers – more than might be possible at bigger stores. Positive comments show we are moving in the right direction in giving the type of service the

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What are your professional goals? I would like to continue to learn and grow at store level until possibly being selected into DeCA’s GS1144 management program. I will start classes in the fall to continue working towards a degree in business or human relations. Who influenced your career most and why? I have to say that it was Ann (Miller) Borley, store manager for the NEX Mart at West Ruislip, London. She was the first manager that I had after separating from the military. She took a lot of her time grooming and training me for a future in retail. It was her words and actions that made me turn the corner and realize that I could be successful in the retail business.

Mr. Hicks continually seeks new challenges in each department within the store. He’s first to volunteer for any task no matter what. He recently requested a move from lead cashier to produce manager. He takes advantage of every training opportunity offered and seeks new opportunities to propel himself up the DeCA management ladder. Glen Taylor, store director

! to creating an efficient checkout process when I work the front-end operation as a backup cashier. What’s your professional history? In the 1980s, I worked in the Philippines at Naval Supply Depot Subic Bay as a computer operator and then in Sunnyvale, Calif., as a data-entry operator. In the 1990s, I was a teller with Bank of America at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. I came to Whidbey Island Commissary in 1997 as a cashier. I was promoted to teller, lead cashier and then to my present position in the management support center. What are your professional goals? My goals are to continue learning and become a fulltime management support center employee. In the future, I would like to be a general manager in one of the departments at the commissary. Meantime, I want to continue to contribute to the management support team and help the commissary maintain its reputation for excellent customer service. Who has had the most influence on your career and why? My husband and my two boys have influenced me the most. They inspire me to never give up at any job. My youngest just joined his brother as a college graduate, so a little bit of the pressure is off me now. My previous store director, Mr. Bob Liwanag (now store director, Anchorage Area, Alaska), influenced me when he gave me the chance to train in the management support center; and my current store director, Ms. Norma Kincaid, influences me when she encourages the team, even when we face difficult tasks. I also appreciate general manager Mr. Kim Ross for helping to maintain the harmonious environment that I enjoy working in so much. And finally, I learn from my officemates and co-workers. We are all a team!n Rida Cortez DeCA photo: Sherrie Scott

Rida Cortez Whidbey Island Commissary, Wash. What do you like best about your job in the management support center as an accounting technician? I enjoy learning about commissary operations by working with vendors, sales representatives and store managers. The knowledge I gain allows me to create a better customer experience. Coming from a military family, I take pride in knowing that I am helping to take care of other military families. How do you help make the commissary worth the trip? My main goals are to reduce commissary losses and make the checkout process efficient. I directly contribute

Rida is an extremely hardworking employee who strives for perfection in everything she does. She demonstrates a high level of technical expertise and has been instrumental in helping to reduce commissary losses by ensuring accounts are accurate. She offers excellent customer service to customers and co-workers alike; she is a true team player who understands the value of offering extraordinary service. Norma Kincaid, store director 45

! frontandcenter obituaries MICHAEL ANSELMI, San Onofre, Calif. (March 12) JULIA BARNES, HQ DeCA, Va. (June 25) RAYMOND ALLAN HAHN, Richards-Gebaur, Mo. (July) WILLIAM STRICKLAND, Tinker AFB, Okla. (April 23) WILTRUD “WILLIE” ZEIMENS, Spangdahlem AB, Germany (Aug. 7)

retirements RONNIE CESENA, NOLF Imperial Beach, Calif. LELAND DIAMOND, NSU Saratoga Springs, N.Y. RICHARD FREDRICK, MCAS Yuma, Ariz. JESSE GROOMS, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. ELIZABETH HERMS, Bill Patterson (42) Fort Myer, Va. LARRY JOHNS, Nellis AFB, Nev. CHESTER MOSELY, Goodfellow AFB, Texas WILBUR PALMER, Offutt AFB, Neb. * WILLIAM PATTERSON (42), HQ DeCA, Va. BOB PHILLIPS, NSU Saratoga Springs, N.Y. STEVE SISK, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas EDWARD SUMMERS, March ARB, Calif. GARRY VanALSTYNE, NSU Saratoga Springs, N.Y. AMANDA VARNADO, Cannon AFB, N.M. JOSEFINO VILLAMARIN, NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. PHILIP WICKHAM, NSU Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

anniversaries (Mug shots welcomed for those with 40+ years of service) 40 years * SIGRID ALBERT, DeCA Europe, Germany * RICHARD CAMPBELL, Whiteman AFB, Mo. * DAVE MERICA, Fort Irwin, Calif. * KEITH SAVAGE, DeCA Europe, Germany ROSEMARIE SCHIMPF, Germersheim CDC, Germany 35 years ERNST BLINN, Kaiserslautern CDC, Germany 30 years MICHAEL GEORG BUTTERWORTH, Kaiserslautern CDC, Germany DAVID COSTELLO, CMPP, Ramstein AB, Germany JAMES DOCHERTY, Fort Lewis, Wash. KENNETH DOWNS, Fort Knox, Ky. RITA EHLENZ, Spangdahlem AB, Germany EDWARD GRIFFIN JR., Beale AFB, Calif. CAROL HUMPHRIES, McChord AFB, Wash. * Pictured

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Sigrid Albert (40)

R. Campbell (40)

Dave Merica (40)

Keith Savage (40)

WARDELL JOHNSON, McChord AFB, Wash. RAYMOND LANGFORD, Los Angeles AFB, Calif. KATHLEEN MESSMAN, NAS Jacksonville, Fla. CATHERINE MONTGOMERY, Fort Sill, Okla. EDWARD NOWOTTNICK, Fort Detrick, Md. O CHOM-POK, CFA Chinhae, South Korea NANCY O’NELL, DeCA West, Calif. ROBERTO PAPANDREA, Ramstein AB, Germany WILLIAM SARAFIS, Fort Hood I, Texas BERND SCHWARZ, DeCA Europe, Germany PAULA SENN, SC Smokey Point, Wash. CHRISTINE STENGEL, Germersheim CDC, Germany MARY WALKER, MCB Quantico, Va. MARLEEN WILSON, Fort Gillem, Ga. 25 years MARTINS ROBERTO BORGES, Lajes Field, Portugal ANDREA BRENNER, Germersheim CDC, Germany INHUI EGGERMAN, Yongsan, South Korea PETRA GRIES, Kaiserslautern CDC, Germany OBSTAREK JUTTA, Kaiserslautern CDC, Germany MICHAEL KLEIN, Ramstein AB, Germany GWEN OSBORN, NAES Lakehurst, N.J. DANIEL SMITH, Camp Courtney, Okinawa 20 years AMELIA ANDERSON, Andersen AFB, Guam ELENITA BAUTISTA, NAS Jacksonville, Fla. BRIDGET BENNETT, HQ DeCA, Va. CLAUDIA BÜRGER, Germersheim CDC, Germany CATHERINE CADDELL, Fort Stewart, Ga. LISA CALLAHAN, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. ALBERT CARTER, Fort Meade, Md. MARILYN CHAMBERS, Fort Sill, Okla. ROBERT CHEATAM, HQ DeCA, Va. MARIETTA COLE, Fort Sill, Okla. ZELMA COUSER, Walter Reed AMC, Md.

SHIRLEY DISCH, DeCA Europe, Germany UI SON DOMINO, Fort Belvoir, Va. THOMAS DYE, NNSY Portsmouth, Va. ULRIKE EITZENHOFFER, DeCA Europe, Germany JÜRGEN FELDMANN, Germersheim CDC, Germany ULRICH FLEISCHER, Ramstein AB, Germany RICHARD FREDRICK, MCAS Yuma, Ariz. SOJUNG GARCIA, Hannam Village, South Korea ALEXANDRA GUNDERMANN, Germersheim CDC, Germany JERRY HALL JR., HQ DeCA, Va. ERICH HAUS, Bitburg AB, Germany JUDY HUNT, McChord AFB, Wash. FLORENDO “DANNY” IGNACIO, NAES Lakehurst, N.J. BARBARA JACQUES, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. SHAWNEE JOHNS, Tyndall AFB, Fla. SYLVESTER KENNEY, Fort Benning, Ga. GABRIELE KERN, Germersheim CDC, Germany SHERRY KING, Fort Benning, Ga. WALTRAUD KRONES, Spangdahlem AB, Germany CINDY LEWIS, Robins AFB, Ga. FRANCES MALY, MCB Quantico, Va. CHARZETTA McCAINEY, Redstone Arsenal, Ala. MARCUS McDONALD, Hunter AAF, Ga. PATRICIA McGILPIN, Selfridge ANGB, Mich. THOMAS McMAHON, NAS Lemoore, Calif. LYNN O’NEALL, Fairchild AFB, Wash. ORA PHILLIPS, Sheppard AFB, Texas EMERSON POLLOCK, HQ DeCA, Va. CAROLYN REEISE, Fort Sill, Okla. DEBRA ROBERTS, Fort Eustis, Va. CONNIE SCOTT, Fort Sill, Okla. HAROLD SELVEY, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. SIN TAE-SU, Osan CDC, South Korea JANE SMITH, Fort Detrick, Md. MICHAEL SUNDSTROM, Andersen AFB, Guam ADRIENNE SUTTON, NAES Lakehurst, N.J. DELTINA THOMAS, Fort Hood II, Texas CONSTANCE TOBIAS, San Onofre, Calif. GAIL TOLBERT, HQ DeCA, Va. ALBERT VILLAGOMEZ, Guam CDC FRANK WEBER, Kaiserslautern CDC, Germany SUE WHITHAM, Fort Myer, Va. RONALD WILKE, NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii REGINA WILLIAMS, Walter Reed AMC, Md. HERMENIA WILSON, NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 15 years AMELITA BURGARD, Vogelweh, Germany KIM CHAE-SUNG, Taegu Camp Walker, South Korea MICHAEL MAHONEY, HQ DeCA, Va. PATRICIA TILLER, RAF Croughton, England PATRIZIA TRUCCOLO, Aviano AB, Italy 10 years DARLA ALEX, NAS Meridian, Miss. JOHN BERGMAN, Nellis AFB, Nev. JAMES BROWN, Dover AFB, Del. HYON BUSHKE, Fort Wainwright, Alaska SHEILA CLAYPOOL, F.E. Warren, Wyo. YVONNE CRABTREE, Tinker AFB, Okla. KIMBERLY DAVIS, McClellan, Calif. LILLI DENK, DeCA Europe, Germany THOMAS DUBOIS, Fort Detrick, Md. ILHAN ERDEM, Izmir AS, Turkey CHERYL EVANS, NNSY Portsmouth, Va. JANET FREEMAN, Andrews AFB, Md. EUFRICINA FULLER, NS Port Hueneme, Calif. BEVERLY GAVIN, Langley AFB, Va. MARY GIBSON, Fort Detrick, Md.

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pRESOURCE MANAGEMENT HONOR: DeCA’s Coupon Reconciliation Team, Resource Management Directorate, won the Team Award, Headquarters and Major Command, competing in the Office of the Secretary of Defense Comptroller’s Financial Management Award Program this spring. Team members Maria Howard, supervisory financial specialist; Nida Baker and Janet Chambliss, accounting technicians; and Janie Murphy, lead coupon technician, improved coupon receivables, netting more than $140,000 in outstanding coupon debt and decreasing receivables greater than 60 days by 74 percent. DeCA photo: Cherie Huntington SEU GRIER, Fort Lewis, Wash. AYTUG GUVEN, Izmir AS, Turkey LARITA HARDY, Fort McPherson, Ga. MARY HARRIS, Fort Campbell, Ky. ERLINDA HUFF, SC Smokey Point, Wash. ARLEEN JACKSON, Fort McPherson, Ga. SANDRA JOHANNES, DeCA Europe, Germany KIM MYONG-SU, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea CHRISTIAN LOVING, Tyndall AFB, Fla. LARRY MAYFIELD, NSCS Athens, Ga. MARIA McCARTY, MCB Camp Lejeune, N.C. SYLVIA NEWCOMB, NSA New Orleans, La. KAMILAH NEWSOME, Maxwell AFB, Ala. O CHANG-HYON, Taegu Camp Walker, South Korea CHRISTOPHER PITTMAN, Keesler AFB, Miss. ANATOLI SCHEPP, Germersheim CDC, Germany PATRICK SCHWEHM, CMPP, Ramstein AB, Germany GEOFFREY SMITH, RAF Lakenheath, England BELINDA SORIA, MCACC Twentynine Palms, Calif. FLORENE SWANSON, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho RHONDA SWAYZEE, HQ DeCA, Va. MILANY TETREAULT, Offutt AFB, Neb. OMER TOZ, Izmir AS, Turkey FOTU TUA, Fort Knox, Ky. U TAE-WON, Yongsan CDC, South Korea JEANNE VASQUEZ, Fort Irwin, Calif. JOHN WARNER, Charleston AFB, S.C.

CAROLYN WASHBURN, Fort Carson, Colo. DENNIS WATSON, Fort Carson, Colo. WILLIAM WEINERT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio LAWRENCE WHEATON, NCBC Gulfport, Miss. DAWN WHITE, Fort Bragg North, N.C. MONICA WILKERSON, McConnell AFB, Kan. MARGARET WRIGHT, RAF Croughton, England 5 years PAK SE-CHUN, Yongsan, South Korea PAK SUN-HO, Osan CDC, South Korea

top employees Employees of the Year JOSE YRACHETA, NB San Diego, Calif.

Jose Yracheta

Safety Award 2008 Goodfellow AFB, Texas: JOSEPHINE ANDERSON SANDRA BRADLEY ELAINE BURLEY JOSHUA CAVANESS DELMER COOK DEANNA CORONA ROBERT DILLARD

PATRICE FUNDERBURK DIXIE GONGORA JOHN GONGORA TERRY HARRISON JUSTIN HUMPHREYS MARGIE JACKSON MERCEDITA JARAMILLO ERIN JOHNSON LEONARD JUNGMAN DENISE MOTE LINDA RADLOFF DANIEL SCHROEDER JANICE TARRAFERRO MAGDALENO VALDEZ EUGENE WENDLAND KEITH WESTBROOKS CYNTHIA WILLIAMS Employees of the Quarter 3rd Quarter 2009 DESIREE BOLLIG, Okinawa CDC BRANDI CRAIG, MCLB Barstow, Calif. YVETTE ELLIS, McConnell AFB, Kan. SEICHU HAYASHI, Okinawa CDC KARLA IXTLAHUAC, San Onofre, Calif.

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! DAMITA JONES, NAF Atsugi, Japan PATRICIA LAMPSHIRE, McConnell AFB, Kan. SANDRA McGEE, McConnell AFB, Kan. OKITAKA MEDORUMA, Okinawa CDC SHINJI NAGATA, Sasebo, Japan KAZUE NISHINO, Misawa AB, Japan RUBY RAMOS, NB San Diego, Calif. DIANE RASMUSSEN, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan MONICA WILKERSON, McConnell AFB, Kan. VICTORIA WILSON, McConnell AFB, Kan. SHOTA YAMASHIRO, Okinawa CDC

BILLY WOODS, Vance AFB, Okla. YI SONG-HUI, Taegu Camp Walker, South Korea YI UI-YONG, Osan CDC, South Korea

2nd Quarter 2009 BONNIE ADAMS, Malmstrom AFB, Mont. GLEN BRANDON, Osan CDC, South Korea BOBBY BURNS, Anchorage Area, Alaska JESSICA CERVANTES, March ARB, Calif. CHON HAE-SAENG, Camp Stanley, South Korea JULIE COLE, Hill AFB, Utah FABIOLA ELDRIDGE, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. DINAH FERNANDEZ, San Onofre, Calif. EUFRICINA FULLER, Port Hueneme, Calif. RENE HALL-CURIE, Twentynine Palms, Calif. VANESSA HINES, Edwards AFB, Calif. AKANE HIRAYAMA, Sagamihara, Japan KIM MYONG-SU, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea SUZANNE McKINLEY, Ord Community, Calif. HIROSHI OKABE, NFA Yokosuka, Japan PAK SIN-KYU, Hannam Village, South Korea PAK YONG-CHIN, Yongsan CDC, South Korea MARNITTA PAVAO, NAF El Centro, Calif. DOMINIC PEREZ, Dugway PG, Utah MARK PRESTEL, NAWS China Lake, Calif. JOYCE RIVERS, Hario Village, Japan ANDY SALAZAR, NB San Diego, Calif. SIN CHU-HYON, Yongsan, South Korea SON CHANG-HO, Camp Casey, South Korea REBECCA TARNOWSKI, Malmstrom AFB, Mont. PAUL TAVARES, MCACC Twentynine Palms, Calif. HITOSHI TOGUCHI, Camp Foster, Okinawa SERGIO TORRES, Fort Irwin, Calif.

Employees of the Month June 2009 MICHAEL BALZER, Kanto Plain CDC, Japan DESIREE BOLLIG, Okinawa CDC CLEMENTINE BROWN, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan MARGIE COOPER, NBK Bremerton, Wash. SEICHU HAYASHI, Okinawa CDC TAKARA KOIWA, Sagamihara, Japan BRANDON MOHLER, Iwakuni CDC, Japan YASKUKO NAGAOKA, FA Sasebo, Japan PETER OLDERON, Misawa AB, Japan HELEN PATERNO, NAF Atsugi, Japan MORIMICHI TAMAYOSE, Okinawa CDC AUDEMAR TAPIA-DE COOK, Hario Village, Japan KUNIHIKO URA, Camp Courtney, Okinawa SHOTA YAMASHIRO, Okinawa CDC

2nd Quarter Safety Award FRED FISHER, NAF El Centro, Calif. SAMANTHA HENNING, Vance AFB, Okla. DOLLY WOJCIECHOWSKI, Malmstrom AFB, Mont. 1st Quarter 2009 EUFRUCINA FULLER, NS Port Hueneme, Calif.

May 2009 STEVEN ANDERSON, Kanto Plain CDC, Japan JAMES BALL, Kadena AB, Okinawa CASEY BATCHELOR, Osan CDC, South Korea DESIREE BOLLIG, Okinawa CDC PEARL CARDIEL-SANTOS, NS Port Hueneme, Calif. CLYDE CEARNEL, Camp Courtney, Okinawa RIMA DELUZE, Edwards AFB, Calif. KAZUO FURUTA, Misawa AB, Japan MICHINARI HAMANAKA, Iwakuni CDC, Japan

DAMITA JONES, NAF Atsugi, Japan KIM CHUNG-HWAN, Hannam Village, South Korea KIM MYONG-SU, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea KIM YONG-KUK, Yongsan, South Korea JURI KOUDA, Sagamihara, Japan TAITO MIYAZATO, Okinawa CDC NA KYONG-WON, Camp Stanley, South Korea SHINJI NAGATA, FA Sasebo, Japan YOSHINO OSHIRO, Okinawa CDC DELEAN PACE, Kadena AB, Okinawa PAK SUN-HO, Camp Casey, South Korea JOYCE RIVERS, Hario Village, Japan SIN CHU-HYON, Yongsan, South Korea MIYAKO TASHIRO, Yokota AB, Japan KIYOKO TOKESHI, Camp Foster, Okinawa ERIKO TOYAMA, Kadena AB, Okinawa U TAE-WON, Yongsan CDC, South Korea SAYAKA UEHARA, Kadena AB, Okinawa REMINGTON WIMBERLY, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan LILLIAN YAMASHIRO, Camp Kinser, Okinawa NORIAKI YAMAMOTO, Camp Kure, Japan HIROKAZU YASUI, Okinawa CDC YUN HWA-SIK, Osan CDC, South Korea May Cashier of the Month PAULETTE ROBERTS, FA Sasebo, Japan April 2009 MASAMITSU ARAKAKI, Camp Foster, Okinawa MICHAEL BANNERMAN, Edwards AFB, Calif. YOLLY BASULTO, FA Sasebo, Japan YAEKO CHINA, Kadena AB, Okinawa CHRIS CRUZ, FA Sasebo, Japan JOHN GUEVARRA, NAF Atsugi, Japan SEICHU HAYASHI, Okinawa CDC IMELDA HEADRICK, Yokota AB, Japan SUZUKI HIROKAZU, Yokota AB, Japan TOMOKATSU ICHIDA, Iwakuni CDC, Japan FUTOSHI ITO, Yokota AB, Japan JAMES KIRCHNER, Yokota AB, Japan NAOJI MATAYOSHI, Kadena AB, Okinawa HITOSHI NAKAMATSU, Okinawa CDC KAZUE NISHINO, Misawa AB, Japan HIRO OCHUICHI, Yokota AB, Japan MASAAKI OGIDO, Okinawa CDC NORMAN OKADA, Hario Village, Japan TOSHIO SHIODA, Yokota AB, Japan KELLY STEPHENS, Yokota AB, Japan HIRONIRI SUNAKAWA, Okinawa CDC MAYUMI TANIBAYASHI, Yokota AB, Japan GRACE VERCELES, NS Port Hueneme, Calif. SHINJI WAKAMATSU, Sagamihara, Japan HIROKAZU YAMASHIRO, Camp Courtney, Okinawa April Cashier of the Month JAMES BUHLER, NFA Yokosuka, Japan

pFREE EATS: Grocery Manager Divina Francesconi, light blue shirt, helps serve about 500 soldiers at a free barbecue during May’s Commissary Commando Competition, Vicenza, Italy. S&K Company donated the popular cookout staples. U.S. Army photo: Laura Kreider 48

decavision!Summer 2009

March 2009 AN CHONG-HWAN, Yongsan, South Korea GLEN BRANDON, Osan CDC, South Korea CHARITY BUGAWAN, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan ANDY CABUSAO, NB San Diego, Calif. ADELVI CALBES, NBK Bremerton, Wash. JASON CHOI, Osan CDC, South Korea KANG JAE-HUI, Camp Casey, South Korea KIM CHONG-PIL, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea KIM CHUN-HYONG, Camp Stanley, South Korea KIM CONG-IL, Yongsan, South Korea KIM YONG-KUK, Yongsan, South Korea CHOM KIMBLE, Hannam Village, South Korea PAK CHONG-HYE, Osan CDC, South Korea PAK SIN-KYU, Hannam Village, South Korea PAK YONG-CHIN, Yongsan CDC, South Korea STEPHANIE PENLAND, NFA Yokosuka, Japan

tLOCAL FAVORITES: Lajes Commissary, Portugal, offers a new “Taste of Portugal” section, designed by Mario Avila, produce manager. Selections highlight local and other Portuguese products available at the commissary. DeCA photo: Jim Marino DOMINIC PEREZ, Dugway PG, Utah ANDREW ROCHARD, NFA Yokosuka, Japan SIN CHU-HYON, Yongsan, South Korea SIN WON-HO, Yongsan CDC, South Korea CARL SMITH, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan SO YONG-SIK, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea SONG HAE-JUN, Camp Casey, South Korea YANG SUNG-HAN, Yongsan, South Korea YI SONG-POK, Osan CDC, South Korea YU YONG-KUN, Camp Stanley, South Korea

pro honors (Other winners from listed contests may have been published previously) Coleson Foods Big Catch Display DeCA West: YONGSAN, South Korea E&C News Big Game Display DeCA West: TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. General Mills Cinco de Mayo Display DeCA East: NS NEWPORT, R.I. General Mills Just Add Milk Display DeCA East: LANGLEY AFB, Va. Idaho Potato Lover’s Month Display DeCA East: HARRISON VILLAGE, Ind.; HURLBURT FIELD, NAS JACKSONVILLE, Fla. DeCA West: ALTUS AFB, Okla.; LACKLAND AFB, SHEPPARD AFB, Texas Kashi Top Gun Award DeCA West: NOLF IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif.; KIRTLAND AFB, N.M.; TINKER AFB, VANCE AFB, Okla. Kellogg’s Crystal K DeCA West: TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. Kellogg’s Fit to Serve Display DeCA West: FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz.

Kellogg’s NASCAR Display DeCA East: EGLIN AFB, Fla. Kellogg’s Snack Free Milk Display DeCA East: TYNDALL AFB, Fla. DeCA West: McCHORD AFB, Wash. Kraft Excellence in Execution DeCA West: VANCE AFB, Okla. MDBS Bakery-Deli Champion Cup DeCA West: FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. Motts March Madness DeCA East: COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. DeCA West: FORT HOOD I, FORT HOOD II, Texas National Apple Month Display DeCA West: LACKLAND AFB, SHEPPARD AFB, Texas Otis Spunkmeyer Customer Appreciation Display DeCA West: FORT BLISS, Texas; KIRTLAND AFB, WHITE SANDS MR, N.M. Pepsi Super Bowl Display DeCA West: NAWS CHINA LAKE, Calif.; FORT SILL, Okla.; MARCH ARB, VANDENBERG AFB, ZONE 18, Calif. Procter & Gamble Special Olympics (Grand prize winners) DeCA East: ABERDEEN PG, ANDREWS AFB, FORT DETRICK, FORT MEADE, ZONE 25, Md.; BANGOR ANGB, Maine; BOLLING AFB, D.C.; CARLISLE BARRACKS, TOBYHANNA AD, Pa.; MCAS CHERRY POINT, N.C.; COLUMBUS AFB, Miss.; NSF DAHLGREN, FORT BELVOIR, MCB QUANTICO, Va.; FORT BENNING, FORT McPHERSON, NSB KINGS BAY, Ga.; FORT HAMILTON, MITCHEL FIELD, N.Y.; HURLBURT FIELD, NAS KEY WEST, MacDILL AFB, Fla.; NAES LAKEHURST, N.J.; MAXWELL AFB, REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.

DeCA Europe: ANKARA AS, Turkey; CAIRO, Egypt; GRAFENWOEHR, KELLEY BARRACKS, VILSECK, VOGELWEH, ZONE 31, Germany DeCA West: BEALE AFB, NAF EL CENTRO, NAS LEMOORE, SAN ONOFRE, Calif.; CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa; CAMP ZAMA, NFA YOKOSUKA, ZONE 35, Japan; CANNON AFB, KIRTLAND AFB, WHITE SANDS MR, N.M.; DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, FORT HUACHUCA, LUKE AFB, YUMA PG, ZONE 19, Ariz.; NAS CORPUS CHRISTI, NAS JRB FORT WORTH, SHEPPARD AFB, Texas; HICKAM AFB, MCB KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii; MOUNTAIN HOME AFB, Idaho; TINKER AFB, Okla. Quaker-Tropicana Fuel Your Morning Display DeCA East: NSF DAHLGREN, Va.; McGUIRE AFB, N.J. DeCA West: NAF ATSUGI, Japan Smart Spot Display-Sales DeCA East: NSF DAHLGREN, Va. DeCA West: NOLF IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. Smucker’s Celebrating Freedom Display DeCA West: CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa; TAEGU CAMP WALKER, South Korea; TRAVIS AFB, Calif. Spoke Produce Strawberry Contest DeCA West: MOUNTAIN HOME AFB, Idaho 14th Annual StarKist “Charlie” Display DeCA Europe: ANSBACH, Germany; NS ROTA, Spain Unilever Mom’s Taste of Home Display DeCA East: NAS PATUXENT RIVER, Md. DeCA West: FORT SILL, TINKER AFB, Okla; PETERSON AFB, Colo.; SHEPPARD AFB, Texas USA Pear Display DeCA East: FORT BELVOIR, Va.; PATRICK AFB, Fla. DeCA West: McCHORD AFB, Wash.

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! Webco Crystal Truckload Display DeCA West: McCONNELL AFB, Kan.; YONGSAN, South Korea Organizational honors BAMBERG, Germany, commander’s coin to David Mitzner, store director; Robert Vogel, store administrator; Ray Gonzales, grocery manager; Jessica Molinar and Harry Hairston, store associates; and Nicole Rzymianowitz, bakery, from commanding general, for outstanding customer service. CAMP KURE, Japan, certificate of appreciation from U.S. Army Garrison, Japan, for exceptionally dedicated, professional service. F.E. WARREN, Wyo., outgoing commander’s coin to Robie Ledet, produce worker, and Sam Pappalarda, cashier, for outstanding customer service. FORT HOOD I, Texas, certificate of appreciation to Betty Carey and Yasmin Fresse from Directorate of Public Works, for outstanding service; letter of appreciation to Joel Springer and Yasmin Fresse from III Corps commander, for positive comments received via Interactive Customer Evaluation. NAS MERIDIAN, Miss., certificate of appreciation from cooperative education department, Northeast High School, for support of distributive educational program and contribution to development of tomorrow’s leaders. NS NEWPORT, R.I., certificate of appreciation from Rhode Island Food bank, for outstanding support. NAS OCEANA, Va., plaque from Ocean Lakes High School Work Experience Program, for

providing work opportunities for six students. MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, S.C., commander’s coins to following staff members from commanding general officer, for service and support for morning colors ceremonies and excellent customer service: Sandra Cook, secretary; Jeffrey Dewey and Robert Edwards, meatcutters; Silas Ferguson, storeworker; Rufus Fripp, grocery manager; Earlene Mills, customer service manager; Joenathan Moultrie, Keyonna Pringle and Chasity Williams, store associates; Cynthia Scott, teller. NS PORT HUENEME, Calif., plaque from command master chief, in appreciation for continuous support. SCOTT AFB, Ill., certificate of appreciation to Rubie Sidney, general manager, and Nathan Russum, commissary management service intern, for support of 8th Annual Blue Bow Campaign, which provided new clothes and toys to 289 abused, neglected children. SPANGDAHLEM AB, Germany, certificate of appreciation from medical support group commander, for commissary and industry support of installation DARE campaign. TINKER AFB, Okla., commander’s coins to seven employees for outstanding performance in best commissary competition, winning best superstore category: Shelley Anderson, Yolanda Grady and Pam Walker, sales store checkers; Fred Parsons, meatcutter; Rose Rybicki, storeworker; David Westbrook, work leader; and Andrea White, store manager. VANCE AFB, Okla., plaque from base student pilot class, for outstanding support. WIESBADEN, Germany, certificate of appreciation and battalion coins to delibakery department from 102nd Signal Battalion, in recognition of professional, courteous service and dedication to customer satisfaction, and outstanding support of the community. YONGSAN, South Korea, Platinum Award from Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas.

pHAPPY ANNIVERSARY: Wiltrud vin Wallis, deputy, Kaiserslautern Cold Storage, Germany; Xenia Bond, administrative services chief, KCS, and Linda Matthews, chief of DeCA Europe’s accounts control business unit, enjoy the KCS 50th anniversary celebration. Read more about the occasion in the next issue of Vision. DeCA photo: Gerri Young 50

decavision!Summer 2009

Individual honors RYAN BATALLA, NOLF Imperial Beach, Calif., Bachelor of Arts in math, San Diego State University, Calif. BILLY BENNER, store director, NS Port Hueneme, Calif., Goodwill Hope Crystal Plaque. REYNOLD CANDELARIA, storeworker, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Associate of Science in liberal arts, Copper Mountain College, Joshua Tree, Calif. TAMMY CARROLL, teller, Vance AFB, Okla., Bachelor of Science in psychology, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Enid, Okla.

DENNIS CLAXTON, store administrator, NAS Jacksonville, Fla., outstanding achievement in scoring 100 percent in the food safety manager class in June, the first person to do so since the course began in 2004, with the test given 641 times to date. Dennis Claxton RICHARD GORMALLY, meat manager, McConnell AFB, Kan., certificate of appreciation from sailors and families of Navy Operational Support Center, for serving as guest speaker for Navy Preparedness Day. ROBERT HOUGHTALING, store associate, Vance AFB, Okla., Bachelor of Science in business administration, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Enid, Okla. CIANNA LACOUR, student store associate, Edwards AFB, Calif., won Miss Edwards Contest 2009. ERIN McCORMICK, Sheppard AFB, Texas, Associate of Arts in art, Vernon Regional Junior College, Wichita Falls, Texas. RICHARD NORNHOLD, store director, NS Newport, R.I., nominated by State of Rhode Island, Office of Rehabilitation, as this year’s honor roll recipient, for demonstrating best hiring practices. Award recognizes businesses for their efforts in developing a qualified, diverse workforce that includes individuals with disabilities. ALLEN PAPPAS, Sheppard AFB, Texas, Bachelor of Arts in biology, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas. GLORIA ROBINSON, secretary, MCLB Albany, Ga., represented AARP in Washington, D.C., meeting with congressional leadership to discuss health reform as part of AARP’s “Health Action Now” campaign. KEITH SAVAGE, lead accounting technician, DeCA Europe, Germany, Topper Award for best actor in a minor comedy role, as “Big Billy Goat Gruff” in “The Surprising Adventures of the Three Little Pigs.” DANIELLE STODDARD, storeworker, NB Keith Savage San Diego, Calif., Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, California State University, San Diego. CONNIE TALLON, store director, Vogelweh, Germany, commander’s coin from outgoing air base group commander, in appreciation for outstanding base support. GEORGE WILLS, store manager, Vogelweh, Germany, now supervisory store associate, Camp Lejeune, N.C., received commander’s, security forces’ and United Service Organizations’ coins at a farewell luncheon, for his support to patrons and community.n

Nan Day, produce manager for the commissary at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., was one of 25 retail produce managers in the United States and Canada recognized for excellence by the United Fresh Research and Education Foundation. U.S. Navy photo: Megan Mooren

Powered by pride

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Nancy O’Nell DeCA West public affairs officer

an Day, produce manager for the commissary at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., was recognized by United Fresh Research and Education Foundation as a top retail produce manager during a ceremony in Las Vegas on April 24. Day and 24 finalists from the United States and Canada were selected based on their excellence in merchandising, special displays and promotions, community service, company recognition and commitment to total customer satisfaction. “The produce department is the showplace of any commissary,” said DeCA Director and CEO Philip E. Sakowitz Jr. “Nan Day consistently brings in fresh and innovative merchandising ideas to make the Lemoore Commissary worth the trip for our shoppers.” An illustration of typical Day creativity is the way Lemoore Commissary produce department promoted the President’s Challenge, a program that encourages Americans to make being active a part of their everyday lives. The staff set up a miniature golf game in the produce aisle, and customers who

Lemoore produce manager wins North American honor scored a hole-in-one were given a cookbook with healthy recipes. Shoppers who tested their skills were given fruit and water that was naturally flavored with mint, lemon and cucumber. Day said the point of the display was to encourage people to eat healthy, drink water and be active. “I never get tired of this job,” said Day. “I enjoy coming to work, and it’s the customers who drive me to excel.” Day credits her staff with keeping the produce department in tip-top shape throughout the day. “It looks the same at 8 p.m. as it does at 6 a.m. when we set it up, and that’s because I have a dedicated staff that truly cares,” said Day. “When we set up the produce department each morning, then stand back and say, ‘Wow, that looks good,’ I get a great sense of satisfaction,” she added. Day was evaluated alongside retail produce managers from commercial grocery stores. She is the second produce manager from a military commissary to achieve this honor. In 2008, Harry “Spike” Lewis, produce manager for Luke Commissary, Ariz., was also a retail produce manager award winner. “My mentors taught me that you can be the best at what you do every day if you keep a positive and open mind,” said Day. “I challenge myself to learn everything I can about produce and pass it on to others.”n 51

HISTORIC MILESTONE: Ramstein Commissary, Germany, achieved monthly sales of $5 million in March, a milestone for overseas commissaries. See story, Page 23. DeCA photo: wallyimages.com