Naval Weapons Station Charleston NEX Brings Home Bingham Award

By Eric Sesit, Naval Weapons Station Charleston Public Affairs

CHARLESTON, S.C. (NNS) -- Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Charleston's Navy Exchange (NEX) management and employees were presented the prestigious Bingham Award at a ceremony held at the NWS Charleston NEX in Charleston, S.C., July 15.

Charleston placed first in the 20 to 40 million dollar category with more than 24 million dollars in sales for 2009.

Rear Adm. Steven J. Romano, commander, NEX Service Command, was the guest speaker at the ceremony.

"This award demonstrates that you are one of the best Navy Exchanges in the world; only nine other stores out of 103 can claim this award," said Romano, to the crowd of NEX employees. "This is like winning an Olympic gold medal."

Romano added that as he walked through the facility, he noticed four qualities that led to the Charleston NEX's success.

"You do the basics right, you make a mature facility look great; you are managed by extraordinary leadership and you have great training," said Romano.

NWS Charleston NEX General Manager Beth Munoz gave credit to the employees who operate the store on a daily basis.

"This team has always had the necessary skill and teamwork in them to win this award, and they show it every day," said Munoz.

The team includes long-time employees Willie Ellis and Bernice Mac. Mac has been working at the NEX for 20 years, while Ellis has been with the company for 37.

Looking to retire in the near future, Ellis was thrilled to see all the hard work put in by him and his fellow employees has paid off.

"It's a very prestigious award for us," said Ellis.

"This took a lot of team effort, but in the end, it was worth it. This award is just great for morale and makes us want to keep working hard," said Mac.

The Bingham Award recognizes NEXs that have demonstrated excellence in customer service, operations and management. The award is named after the late Capt. W.H. Bingham, who was the chief executive of the R.H. Macy's Company and in 1946 was appointed by the Secretary of the Navy to lead an advisory board for the establishment of the NEX system.