{"id":1927,"date":"2015-03-31T11:14:42","date_gmt":"2015-03-31T16:14:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=1927"},"modified":"2015-03-31T11:14:42","modified_gmt":"2015-03-31T16:14:42","slug":"after-43-years-of-serving-team-scott-exchange-associate-says-goodbye","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=1927","title":{"rendered":"After 43 Years of Serving Team Scott, Exchange Associate Says Goodbye"},"content":{"rendered":"

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE \u2013 <\/span><\/b>Since the Scott Air Force Base Exchange opened in 1972, <\/span>Margo Gobin<\/a> has been a fixture in the community, serving Airmen, retirees and families with her can-do spirit. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Now, after spending 43 years\u2014more than half her life\u2014dedicated to Team Scott, Gobin is bidding farewell. The 80-year-old associate, who works on the sales floor in the health and beauty department, is retiring March 31.\u00a0\"IMG_0344\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will miss my customers tremendously,\u201d Gobin said. \u201cI\u2019ve met a great bunch of people who have become my friends.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Gobin helped open the Scott Exchange in 1972, working as a stocker. Her husband was an Airman assigned to Scott, and once the youngest of their four children started school, Gobin decided to look for work. The Exchange was a natural fit.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t drive, so my husband would take me to work and pick me up,\u201d Gobin said. \u201cI learned to drive when he got tired of taking me.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

During her career, Gobin has worn many hats, working at the jewelry counter, as an office clerk and Express manager. For 43 years, she\u2019s kept going strong\u2014except for four months back in 1999, when she retired for the first time. That retirement lasted just four months.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI got bored staying at home,\u201d Gobin said. \u201cI came back to be of service to the Airmen\u2014and myself.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

She\u2019s seen many changes over the decades\u2014including the introduction of computers in the workplace\u2014but her dedication to Team Scott has remained constant. One of her favorite parts of her job was getting to know the Airmen at Scott, not just as customers but as friends.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have customers who have acquired the German language from their time in the Air Force,\u201d Gobin said. \u201cWhen they hear I have an accent and detect I\u2019m from Germany, they want to speak the language. I\u2019m like a grandma to some of the Airmen who want to keep up with Germany.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Gobin, with her long Exchange tenure, is in good company at Scott. Her fellow associate Carol Potts, a logistics assistant, has been with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service since 1977, working at Exchanges around the world and serving Team Scott for more than 10 years. And, Scott Exchange associate Joyce Roberts began her career with the organization in 1974.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Together, Gobin, Potts and Roberts have 121 years of service. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Sean Applegate, the Exchange\u2019s senior enlisted advisor, honored the women during his recent visit to Scott AFB, presenting them special coins for their service.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Exchange General Manager Ralph Kleemann calls Gobin, Potts and Roberts shining examples of the organization\u2019s commitment to taking care of service members.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve all had remarkable careers with the Exchange and have dedicated their lives to serving those who serve us,\u201d Kleemann said. \u201cTheir passion for the Exchange\u2019s mission is an inspiration to other associates.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Gobin plans to leave quietly, with no grand party in her honor. And that\u2019s how she wants it. Soon, she\u2019ll be heading to Vermont to be closer to family.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would love to say goodbye to all the customers\u2014and the sad part is knowing I can\u2019t say goodbye to them all, especially the retirees who don\u2019t always make it in very often,\u201d Gobin said. \u201cBut it\u2019s time for me to retire. It\u2019s time for me and my family.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http:\/\/www.shopmyexchange.com<\/a><\/span> or follow us on Twitter at https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>###<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Media Notes:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/b>For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or mitchelljul@aafes.com.<\/span><\/p>\n\t

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