JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Army & Air Force Exchange Service Deputy Director Mike Immler is making it his mission to ensure the Exchange is doing all it can to serve Soldiers and Airmen at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
During his visit Aug. 3, Immler met with Army Col. Timothy Wulff, 673d Air Base Wing deputy commander, to discuss how the Exchange can best support the JBER community. Immler also toured the main Exchange, restaurants and Express locations to get a first-hand look at how the Exchange is meeting the needs of the community.
"The Exchange is committed to making JBER a great place to live and work," Immler said. "We are dedicated to ensuring Soldiers, Airmen, retirees and their families have a place to shop and dine that they can be proud of."
At JBER, the Exchange is dedicated to providing healthy options at restaurants and Express locations. In the food court, Subway, Charley's and Popeyes all have healthy meals available. The Expresses are stocked with fresh fruit and snacks so Soldiers and Airmen can make healthy choices. New island coolers at the Richardson and Elmendorf Expresses, both of which were recently upgraded, make it easy to grab a fresh, healthy snack on the go.
"It's important for Soldiers and Airmen to be mission-ready in both body and spirit," Immler said. "Offering fresh, healthy choices in a convenient location makes it easier to make the right nutritional decisions." In the main Exchange, a BE FIT center stocks the latest athletic wear and footwear for men and women, from brands such as Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and New Balance. The BE FIT center is designed to look and feel like a sporting goods store, creating a one-stop shop for products dedicated to ensuring Soldiers and Airmen stay healthy.
Every time Soldiers and Airmen shop the Exchange, grab a snack at the Express or dine at an Exchange restaurant, they are generating funds that help make life better at JBER.
"For every dollar earned, historically 67 cents comes back to the military community through dividends to military quality-of-life programs," Immler said. "Last year, sales at the JBER Exchange generated more than $903,000 on behalf of these programs. Every time shoppers go to an Exchange, they are improving their entire military community."
Immler is the first civilian deputy director of the 121-year-old Exchange, which employs approximately 35,500 associates worldwide. In addition, 35 active-duty service members are assigned to the organization.
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 website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.