The American Logistics Association (ALA) recently announced the names of the new members of its Board of Directors and Councils (Exchange and Commissary).
Here is another in a series of profiles of these dedicated professionals, their impressions of the current military resale system, and what they hope to accomplish during their terms in office.
Bill Doyle, the newly named chairman of the American Logistics Association’s (ALA) Exchange Council, started in this business in 1987, working in Germany for EURPAC GmbH.
Thirty-seven years into the business, Doyle, senior vice president (SVP), Specialized Marketing International, a Division of EURPAC Service, Inc., believes that today’s business remains as energetic as it has always been.
“Retail is incredibly dynamic and that has not changed,” he stated. “Getting the opportunity to support military members, their families, retirees and veterans has been a constant source of motivation.
“The most impactful change for the industry, particularly the exchanges, has been, and is, the rise of all things online. The Internet has thrust the exchanges squarely into the retail ring with their civilian competitors, just about eliminating the inside/outside-the-gate dynamic.”
2025 AGENDA
As the Exchange Council chair, Doyle said that the body is currently working on its 2025 agenda, “and look forward to sharing this with the ALA Board within the next 30 days.
“There is a lot of interest and energy around retail execution, creating interesting, fun and dynamic shopping experiences with our exchange partners.
“All of the council members recognize our unique responsibility to continuously inform, educate and advocate for and about the resale system and its centrality to military quality of life.
“The ‘why’ behind resale must be shared at every opportunity, and never assumed. Public-private partnerships can work and the exchanges are a terrific example of that.”
GOALS
Doyle said that with its unique responsibility, the council sees opportunities for greater collaboration “that leverage available resources from ALA member companies and exchanges to work in complimentary ways — as opposed to duplication of effort.
“Many of the opportunities focus on coordination and synchronization of efforts that cost little to implement but can have an outsized impact. Alignment of resources, processes and effort will position the resale system and ALA member companies for success and growth in the years ahead.
“Partnerships, done right, should be force multipliers. That’s what we are striving for on the Exchange Council, and that’s what we are seeking to be with our exchange partners.”
