HomeNewsArticle Display

Tinker Commissary team running award-winning operation

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  When John Spaur became Tinker Commissary's store director in January 2008, he said he set a goal for the employees. He asked the 102 staffers to perform the very best job they could do. His efforts paid off, four-fold. Tinker Commissary, a Defense Commissary Agency grocery store, recently won four headquarters-level awards. Officials said it was the first time Tinker won so many awards at once.

DeCA honored Tinker Commissary officials with the awards during the agency's 2009 Conference and Training Event in Richmond, Va., in late May. Tinker Commissary won the Director's Award for Best Superstore; DeCA Hero Award; 9th Annual Produce Merchandising Award; and Best Outreach to Guard and Reserve members' award.

"I realized the potential that the Tinker Commissary had and I tried to create a real team environment to go out and win these awards," Mr. Spaur said, "and they surpassed all expectations.

"This is a true testament to the outstanding job that my team members do day-in and day-out," he said. "These awards are not won by any individual. It's a true team effort to truly excel." Col. James Eilers, 72nd Mission Support Group commander, agreed.

"One of my goals since my arrival here at Tinker has been to instill a genuine sense of customer service and teamwork from all of Tinker's support operations," Colonel Eilers said. "We have clearly come a long way and our commissary has done an outstanding job satisfying its patrons. Winning these awards demonstrates the highest degree of customer service and commitment by all to excel and achieve the highest standards."

DeCA operates 255 commissaries on U.S. military installations worldwide. Much like a civilian grocery store, a DeCA commissary sells produce, dairy, deli, bakery, meats, non-perishable items and household goods to active duty military, military retirees, National Guard members, Medal of Honor recipients, 100-percent disabled veterans, family members and overseas civil servants. Unlike a civilian grocery store, commissaries sell items at cost plus a 5 percent surcharge. Surcharge funds are used to build new commissaries and modernize existing ones. Last year, Tinker Commissary sales totaled more than $46 million. In addition to services provided by other commissaries, Tinker also sells sushi, healthy and organic foods.

Tinker was one of five commissaries honored by DeCA with a best commissary award. Mr. Spaur said the last time Tinker won best superstore was more than 10 years ago. The contest is metrics driven. Commissaries are judged on accountability, operational costs, sales, and customer service scores, which are calculated from an annual survey that is executed in July.

Andrea White, Tinker Commissary store manager, won the DeCA Hero Award. Ms. White began her service in 1974 in the administration office. In her years at Tinker's Commissary, Ms. White has proved committed to the commissary mission and its customers. She is active in community and volunteer projects.

"The DeCA hero award recognizes outstanding DeCA employees who go above and beyond on a daily basis to take care of our customers," Mr. Spaur said. "Andrea White's devotion to the commissary and her patrons has no boundaries. She has reached out to customers in the most amazing ways."

Ms. White said she feels honored to be recognized, but she didn't expect it.

"I thoroughly enjoy serving the military community and I'm so blessed to be doing something I love," she said. "I never expected it. I [just] love coming to work every day."

Tinker also won DeCA's 9th Annual Produce Merchandising Award in the large store category. Following the theme, "Fresh Fruits and Veggies = Health and Fitness = Mission Ready," the Tinker commissary was judged in four categories: display and merchandising, consumer education and outreach, store performance metrics and entry presentation.

"These awards showcase our stores' excellence, imagination and hard work in bringing excitement to the sales floor," said Philip E. Sakowitz Jr., DeCA director and chief executive officer. "Our merchandising award recipients have raised product displays to an art form."

Tinker was also one of seven commissaries to win in the DeCA Outreach category. Abiding by the theme, "The Commissary - It's Worth the Trip!" commissary directors were encouraged to bring the commissary benefit to authorized shoppers that may not be utilizing it. Last year, Tinker folks traveled as far as Tulsa four times. This year, Mr. Spaur said staffers will go to the Tulsa metro six times delivering the commissary benefit to their front doors.

"When we acknowledge our best it sets a standard across the agency that raises the bar for all our stores," Mr. Sakowitz said. "These awards validate the excellence of our employees and industry partners as they deliver a world-class benefit to our most deserving customers."