AAFES chief visits Holloman

by Airman 1st Class Colin Cates
49th Wing Public Affairs

11/14/2012 - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M.  -- The senior enlisted advisor for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service visited the Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Nov. 7 and 8.

During his visit, Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Pearson toured Exchange facilities, met with Airmen and community members and addressed Exchange-related issues.

"This is my first time visiting Holloman AFB, and I have been excited about this visit from the time I arrived," said Pearson. "Each group that I have interacted with today has been truly wonderful."

The Exchange is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality 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, and military retirees. Exchange sales generate earnings to supplement Air Force Services programs as well as Army Morale Welfare and Recreation activities.

Pearson is one of 72 active-duty service members assigned to AAFES which carries out this mission while employing more than 42,000 civilian associates worldwide.

"For every dollar earned, 67 cents comes back to the military community from the MWR dividend. Last year Holloman activities got back more than $436,000, so shopping at the Exchange is a win-win," Pearson said. "You get great products at a great price and your spent money comes back to the installation through the dividend."

Part of Pearson's job as the senior enlisted advisor is to visit bases throughout the world and find out what the Exchange services can do better to serve its customers and fix existing problems.

"Educating our customers on the AAFES benefits is the most important part of my job," Pearson said. "You can go anywhere to purchase an iPod or a TV, but when you buy from the Exchange, that's money going back to support our military and communities. AAFES will keep striving to meet our customers' needs and be their number one choice."