NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- The Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service visited the Exchange here Aug. 19.
During his visit, Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson talked with Airmen about how the Exchange can better serve them.
"One of the best parts of my job as senior enlisted advisor is connecting with Airmen in person to find out how the Exchange can serve them better," he said. "I'm excited to visit Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and I want our Airmen to know our first duty is to serve them and their families."
Pearson is one of 52 active duty service members assigned to the Exchange to carry out this mission. The Exchange also employs 36,000 civilian associates worldwide.
"The Exchange wants to be the first choice for Airmen at Niagara Falls," Pearson said. "Exchange prices are remarkably competitive. And, we're always tax-free. This is a tremendous savings."
"If a customer comes in and wants something, we try our best to get it," said Chris Lannucci, branch manager for the NFARS Exchange.
The Exchange is a joint nonappropriated fund agency of the Department of Defense with a retail mission to provide quality products, services and food to service members, their families, reserve and Guard members, plus military retirees. Exchange sales generate earnings to help supplement Services programs.
"The benefit is real," Pearson said. "For every dollar earned, historically 67 cents comes back to the military community from the Air Force Services and Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation dividend. Last year, sales at the Niagara Exchange generated more than $94,000 on behalf of Services programs. Our shoppers get the products they want and deserve, and their military community is better for it."
When shoppers buy from the Exchange, money goes back to supporting quality-of-life services on the installation, Pearson says.
For more information about the Exchange and Exchange programs, visit shopmyexchange.com.
(Staff Sgt. Matthew Burke, 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this article.)
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)