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In a pair of senior-level executive moves that addressed a long-standing vacancy and other positions that had been held in “acting” capacities, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) named DeCA Europe Director Thomas E. Milks the agency's chief operating officer (COO). Acting COO and DeCA East Director Michael Dowling was named to succeed Milks at the helm of DeCA Europe. Both moves became effective in August.

Milks' selection to the COO position comes after serving almost two years as the agency's Europe Region director. In his new role, Milks' duties include oversight of the agency's retail operations, safety and security, program management and plans — all in support of the day-to-day operations of DeCA's worldwide chain of 255 commissaries.

To read the July E&C News interview with Tom Milks, click here.

Dowling's return to Europe comes after completing his second tour of duty as acting COO. He first served in that capacity from November 2007 through April 2008, and then, most recently, beginning in March of this year upon the retirement of Richard Page. As DeCA Europe director, he oversees 42 commissaries, two distribution centers (DC) and one central meat processing plant.

DeCA East Deputy Director Robert G. Vitikacs, who was appointed DeCA East acting director when Dowling became acting COO, continues at the region's helm.

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) has a new Pacific Region commander and sergeant major. Col. Mark K. White, USAF, assumed command of the region on July 13, succeeding Col. Steven A. Kimball, USAF, while Sgt. Maj. James A. Pigford, USA, replaced Sgt. Maj. Ruben Ortiz-Valazquez, USA.

White had been commander of the 22nd Mission Support Group at McConnell AFB, Kan., directing the support activities of seven squadrons, and managed an annual budget of $98 million and $312 million in physical assets. He also led more than 1,400 personnel, including more than 400 civilians.

Pigford's previous assignment was as the command sergeant major for the 82nd Sustainment Brigade Task Force Provider, Fort Bragg N.C. “It is truly a pleasure to be able to serve with an organization that provides excellent goods and services while contributing back to the military community,” Pigford said.

AAFES's Pacific Region covers exchanges in Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Okinawa, Guam, Saipan, Kwajalein and American Samoa.

Looking ahead to 2010, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) named several upper-level executives to new positions that will become effective during the next calendar year.

The headquarters-based Sales Directorate (SD) will see its two top executives changing in 2010. Dale Bryan, currently senior vice president (SVP), Logistics, was named as the successor to Maggie Burgess as SVP of the Sales Directorate. According to the exchange service, Burgess will retire when this move becomes effective, in July 2010.

The exchange service named Ana Middleton, who is presently the vice president (VP) of SD's Main Store Hardlines, as the SD's future VP. This move, which becomes effective in March 2010, will see Middleton succeed Karin Duncan, who was recently named to succeed Dan Tompkins as Pacific Region senior vice president (SVP), effective July 2010. (See E&C News 8/09.)

In August 2010, Robert White, the SVP of the Eastern Region, will trade positions with Jack Morris, the SVP of AAFES-Europe. White will become SVP of the European Region, while Morris will become SVP of the Eastern Region.

Succeeding Middleton as VP of Main Store Hardlines is John Engroff, the VP of the SD's Consumables Division. Like Middleton, he will assume his new position in March 2010.

The exchange service had not yet named Bryan's or Engroff's future successors as SVP, Logistics and VP, Consumables, respectively, as this issue went to press.

The Defense Commissary Agency's (DeCA) May 2009 case-lot sale proved once again why it is such a popular event, showcasing expanded assortments and record spring sales.

Offering about 100 more products than the previous May sale's 260 items, the agency's record May case-lot sales of $17.96 million bested the previous May's figure by 1 percent. Leading the way was DeCA East, which tallied sales of $8.91 million. DeCA West was next, with sales of $8.54 million, followed by DeCA Europe — which had mainly larger stores participating — with sales of $504,700.

A customer stocks up on numerous items during the case-lot sale at Chièvres AB, Belgium, on May 30-31.

“Our customers love these worldwide sales,” said DeCA Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Philip E. Sakowitz Jr. “Where else are you going to see products in bulk, offering savings that approach 50 percent? During Commissary Awareness Month, nothing speaks to the heart of what we do better than these events.”

In a personnel move that becomes effective this month, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) appointed JoAnn Chambers its chief of staff.

Chambers served the past three years as the chief of staff for the Army's Installation Management Command's (IMCOM) European Region. In her new position, she will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations and interrelations of the DeCA headquarters staff, serving as the principal business management advisor to Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Philip E. Sakowitz Jr. and newly appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) Thomas Milks.

With Chambers' appointment, Vicki L. Archileti, who had been serving as acting chief of staff since September 2008, returns to her position as director of corporate planning

Archileti was the first executive to hold DeCA chief of staff position when it was reintroduced in September 2008 to the headquarters command structure (see E&C News 10/08). It was last filled by Col. Ronald McCoy, USAF, who retired in 1996.

In Archileti's absence from the plans directorate, both Sheila W. Walton and Mark L. Simpson split time as acting directors.

Maj. Antoinette B. Grimes, USA, has been named chief, Public Affairs, Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), and Lt. Col. William D. Thurmond, USA, has retired, effective July 27, as the exchange service's chief, Corporate Communications. Thurmond's retirement from the Army is effective Oct. 1.

Originally from Phoenix, Ariz., Grimes enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves as a 91B (Combat Medic) in 1991 and was commissioned from the University of Arizona in 1995. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Masters of Science in Health Services. She is currently working on a second Masters in Professional Studies with a concentration in Public Relations and Marketing Communications.

Maj. Gen., Keith L. Thurgood, USA, commander of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), congratulated Lt. Col. William D. Thurmond, USA, AAFES chief, Corporate Communications, during his July 27 retirement ceremony in Dallas, Texas.

Her previous assignments include brigade executive officer, 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat) (Airborne Corps), Fort Bragg, N.C. and company commander, 50th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge), Camp Laguardia, Korea. Grimes has also served as public affairs officer, joint visitor bureau officer and safety officer for 3rd Brigade, 87th Division, Camp Shelby, Miss.; and deputy public affairs officer, 101st (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Over his 26-year Army career, Thurmond held three commands — Charlie Battery, 3-17th Field Artillery; Echo Battery, 1-19th Field Artillery; and the 49th Public Affairs Detachment, 82nd ABD. He has served in division and corps Assistant Public Affairs Officer roles, and set up the V Corps press center for the coverage of the capture of Saddam Hussein.

Thurmond's assignments have taken him to Central America, Europe, the Mideast, and Asia, in addition to a number of U.S. states. These postings included Fort Benning, Ga. (36th Engineer Group); Honduras (Joint Task Force - Bravo); Fort Bragg, N.C. (XVIII Airborne Corps and 82nd ABD); and Camp Pelham, Korea (2nd ID).

Early torrential rains and the threat of thunderstorms didn't daunt participants who gathered for the American Logistics Association (ALA) New York Chapter's 2009 George Hanson Memorial golf outing. The weather didn't dampen the chapter members' generosity either, as chapter members and resale industry participants combined to generate enough monies to establish a series of $5,000 scholarships for the Military Commanders' Scholarships Fund. In addition, during ceremonies before the June 15 tournament, Coty Prestige Fragrances donated $7,500 to the fund, and Colgate Palmolive presented a check for $5,000.

Among the participants in the check presentation ceremony of $5,000 from Colgate-Palmolive Co. to the Military Commanders Scholarships Fund were, Lou Belizzi, Director Special Markets Colgate-Palmolive Co. (far right); Mike Long, Military Team Leader, Colgate-Palmolive Co. (second from right) and Pat Farley, ALA New York Chapter Vice-President and President, Military Prestige Marketing (center).

Participating in the check presentation ceremony of $7,500 from Coty Prestige Fragrances toward the Military Commanders Scholarships Fund were, from left, Dominic Pisani, VP Sales Coty Prestige Fragrances; Stan Gilman, Director of Sales, Coty Prestige Fragrances; American Logistics Association (ALA) New York Chapter Vice President Pat Farley, president Military Prestige Marketing; and Josh Brossia, Military Prestige Marketing.

Prior to the shotgun start, Chapter Vice President Pat Farley, president, Military Prestige Marketing, LLC., thanked chapter members and industry partners for their donations to the scholarship funds, silent auction and raffle prizes. He also noted that the chapter, which had long donated to the Cmdr. William S. Stuhr Fund, will now donate to the Military Commanders' Scholarships Fund, which will permit the chapter to direct a greater percentage of the proceeds directly to military scholarships.

NEWSMAKERS ... Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) stores, along with industry partners, were active participants in the fundraising that accompanied this year's American Logistics Association (ALA) Washington, D.C., Chapter's Jim Griffin Memorial Golf Tournament and Picnic, to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). ... Exchange, Commissary Sales of Pet Products Benefit Injured Veterans: The Hartz Mountain Corporation, manufacturer and marketer of pet care products, will dedicate a portion of all proceeds from the sale of Hartz products in military resale stores in 2009 to help fund the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), an initiative which empowers injured servicemembers. ... ... ... • Click Here for Complete Stories

Few things provide servicemembers deployed away from the U.S. a more poignant taste and touch of home than do favorite candy products in the familiar wrappers they remember from stateside candy shelves. Whether at home or overseas, the category is a key one for both exchanges and commissaries and an important area for savings — it's also a category that thrives on a blend of both innovation and tradition when it comes to product mix.

E&C News spoke with a number of key resale candy suppliers about the nature of the military market, and about new product introductions they think will resonate with servicemembers and their families.

• NAME BRAND FAST FOOD PARTNERS A popular stop during the shopping day at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. AAFES ...   MCX ...   NEXCOM ...   • Click Here for Complete Details

With 32 years' experience at all levels from store on up through area, region and headquarters of commercial retail, including JCPenney and Jones Apparel Group, Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Stationery Buyer Bob Schmid has honed an appreciation for both the needs of the customer and the work of the retail team. In the last year, Schmid has added the military servicemember to that sense of patron-orientation.

In this exclusive interview, Schmid speaks with candor about the challenges facing today's “merchants,” as they negotiate and solve the vicissitudes of the modern stationery business, while providing the support needed to deliver a compelling and effective benefit.

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