• DALLAS
Tom Shull, the director and chief executive officer of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), announced in a Jan. 13 communication with Exchange associates that he planned to retire on May 31 from his position as the organization’s first civilian director after 14 years at the helm of the largest military exchange service.
AAFES has not yet named his successor.
RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Shull told his AAFES teammates:
“Happy New Year! As we close out another highly successful fiscal year and prepare for new challenges and opportunities to come, I am reaching out to share that after 14 years of steadfast work together to transform the hard-earned Exchange benefit, my family and I have decided that 2026 is the right time to begin our next journey in retirement.
“Returning to my military family as a member of ‘Team Exchange’ has been the greatest honor of my life. Together, we have protected, preserved and strengthened the Exchange benefit.
“The important work we do sustains and strengthens Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families. Each day brings amazing opportunities to commemorate the selfless service of every great American who bravely raised their right hand and served with honor and distinction.”
Shull reflected on his father’s years of military service — and the sacrifices his family had to make — as he announced his own retirement.
“My father served 30 years in the Army, including 42 months in the Pacific in combat. He often said, ‘As long as my family is taken care of, I’m “all in” for the Army.’
“True to our ‘Family Serving Family’ core value, memories of the sacrifices my mom and dad made in service to our nation, as well as those of my older brother, fuel my passion to be ‘all in’ for the best customers in the world.
“Being a member of this team has been an extraordinary blessing. Thank you for all you have done, do and will continue to do to boost the morale of all who serve and have served.”
PRAISE FROM INDUSTRY
Steve Rossetti, President of the American Logistics Association lauded Shull’s contributions. “The military is so fortunate to have Mr. Shull’s talent and capabilities brought to bear on uplifting the quality of life for millions of military folks at their home bases and on the front lines,” Rossetti said.
“His long and distinguished record in the Army, the White House and industry prepared his well for the AAFES top job as he brought AAFES to great heights in supporting the nation’s defense including direct mission support of so many deployments at the point of the spear.”
“Along with galvanizing the AAFES workforce to reach these heights, he garnished the support and admiration of the thousands of members of American industry to meet AAFES’ noble mission,” Rossetti said.
“Our military and the nation are stronger and better as a result of his dedication and sacrifice .”
SMOOTH TRANSITION
Shull told Exchange associates that the coming months leading up to his retirement “will be focused on ensuring a smooth transition to allow this vibrant organization to continue to thrive and fully support the heroes and families we are so privileged to serve.
“Thanks to your tremendous efforts, we have the right people, plans and processes in place for the Exchange to be a force multiplier for military readiness, recruiting and resiliency for generations to come.”
SHULL’S RESUME
A 1973 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., Shull earned a Bachelor of Science degree, and he later received a Master of Business Administration with honors from Harvard Business School in 1981.
Shull’s line and staff assignments include assistant professor at the U.S. Military Academy and commander of a mechanized infantry company.
In 1981, he served as a White House Fellow in the Office of the Chief of Staff. In his last active-duty assignment, then-Maj. Shull served as military assistant to Robert “Bud” McFarlane, assistant to President Ronald Reagan for National Security Affairs.
Shull led a major re-evaluation and revision of White House management systems, conducted a comprehensive review of the National Security Council and coordinated National Security Council low-intensity conflict policy initiatives and U.S.-Soviet policy. He also represented the White House to oversee the construction and dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Prior to joining the Exchange, Shull co-founded Meridian Ventures Inc., where he served as president/CEO. He has also successfully turned around four major commercial businesses as CEO of Wise Foods, Hanover Direct and Barneys New York, as well as executive vice president (EVP) at Macy’s.
Shull has earned numerous military awards and decorations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Presidential Service Badge; Expert Infantryman’s Badge; Ranger Tab; Airborne Wings; the West Point Association of Graduates’ Distinguished Graduate Award; American Logistics Association (ALA) Distinguished Service Award; Department of Defense (DoD) Distinguished Service Award; and he was named to the Reserve Office Association’s Minuteman Hall of Fame.
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Shull aligned AAFES with private-sector best practices, tightening cost controls, reducing operational expenses and introducing top name brands to significantly improve military quality of life.
Under his leadership, he has championed DoD policy changes to strengthen military quality-of-life support, ultimately securing DoD approval to authorize approximately 18-million veterans to shop online at military exchanges.
Shopping privileges were later extended to 4.1-million disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients and certain caregivers, and under his purview, benefits were expanded for 575,000 DoD and Coast Guard civilian employees and retirees.
In addition, with Shull at the helm, AAFES has hired more than 65,000 veterans and military spouses to the Exchange rolls.
“SOLDIER FOR LIFE”
“As a ‘Soldier For Life,’ I will always be your biggest fan,” Shull stated. “You are a member of a truly exceptional team whose kindness, care and deeds make a compelling difference for so many.
“Take stock of your many successes, remain fully nested with our military community and its leadership and continue to keep the needs of warfighters and their families first as ‘Team Exchange’ leads the way!
“Godspeed and keep charging!”
Source: AAFES
Edited by Larry Lapka
