{"id":806,"date":"2012-05-23T19:53:03","date_gmt":"2012-05-24T00:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=806"},"modified":"2012-05-23T19:53:03","modified_gmt":"2012-05-24T00:53:03","slug":"ten-billion-dollar-military-retailer-names-new-director-and-chief-executive-officer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=806","title":{"rendered":"Ten Billion Dollar Military Retailer Names New Director and Chief Executive Officer"},"content":{"rendered":"

MEDIA CONTACT:\u00a0Judd Anstey
\nMEDIA ADVISORY: 12-027
\nRELEASE DATE:\u00a0May 23,\u00a02012<\/p>\n

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DALLAS \u2013 <\/strong>After a rigorous process led by executive search firm Reffett Associates, Ltd, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service\u2019s Board of Directors has selected military and retail veteran Tom Shull<\/a> to lead the Department of Defense\u2019s (DoD) oldest and largest Exchange Service.<\/p>\n

Shull will be the first civilian Director and Chief Executive Officer in the nearly 117-year history of the $10 billion military retailer. The change, mandated by the DoD which instructed the conversion of the Exchange\u2019s Commanding General\u2019s assignment to a non-military position, means Shull will replace the Exchange\u2019s last uniformed Commander, Brig. Gen. Fran Hendricks.<\/p>\n

In an announcement informing the Exchange’s 43,000 employees of Shull’s selection, the organization’s Chairman of the Board, Lt. Gen. Raymond Mason, USA, cited “vast retail experience and proven leadership skills” and said the new Director and Chief Executive Officer will “be a magnificent first Director and Chief Executive Officer as the Exchange moves forward in an ever changing marketplace.”<\/p>\n

The announcement also highlighted Shull\u2019s experience as a West Point graduate who received a Harvard University MBA. In addition to serving in a variety of positions in the U.S. Army, including infantry company commander and assignments at the White House and National Security Council, Shull has served as CEO of Wise Foods Inc., Hanover Direct Inc. and Barney’s New York. Shull was most recently CEO of Meridian Ventures LLC.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Exchange, ranked 43rd<\/sup> in the National Retail Federation\u2019s Top 100 retailers in the U.S. based on dollar sales, is responsible for more than 3,100 facilities worldwide in more than 30 countries, five U.S. territories and 50 states. The Exchange operates 180 main stores and more than 2,000 fast food restaurants and also provides military communities with convenience, specialty stores and movie theaters on installations worldwide, including locations in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. \u00a0The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. 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>.<\/p>\n

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Media Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Judd Anstey, 214-312-3861 or Anstey@aafes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t

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