VOL. 11 NO. 9 July 23, 2010 - August 5, 2010
Naval Weapons Station Charleston NEX brings home Bingham Award By Eric Sesit
Photo by MC1(SW/AW) Jennifer Hudson
A happy group of NEX employees, winners of the 2009 Bingham award, pose in front of their award-winning exchange along with RADM Steven Romano, Commander, Navy Exchange Service Command (center). The NEX achieved first place in the 20 to 40 million dollar category with more than 24 million dollars in sales during 2009.
Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Charleston’s Navy Exchange (NEX) management and employees were presented the prestigious Bingham Award at a ceremony held at the NWS Charleston NEX, June 15. Charleston placed first in the 20 to 40 million dollar category with more than 24 million dollars in sales for 2009. Rear Admiral Steven J. Romano, Commander, Navy Exchange Service Command, was the guest speaker at the ceremony. “This award demostrates that you are one of the best Navy Exchanges in the world;
only nine other stores out of 103 can claim this award,” Romano said to the crowd of NEX employees. “This is like winning an Olympic gold medal.” Romano added that as he walked through the facility, he noticed four qualities that led to the Charleston NEX’s success: “You do the basics right, you make a mature facility look great, you are managed by extraordinary leadership and you have great training.” General Manager Beth Munoz gave credit to the employees who operate the store on a daily basis. “This team has always had the necessary skills and teamwork in them to win this award,” Munoz said, “and they show it everyday.” The team includes long time employees Willie Ellis and Bernice Mac. Mac has been working at the NEX for 20 years while Ellis has been with the company for 37. Looking to retire in the near future, Ellis was thrilled to see all the hard work put in by him and his fellow employees has paid off. “It’s a very prestigious award for us,” Ellis said. Mac added, “This took a lot of team effort, but in the end, it was worth it. This award is just great for morale and makes us want to keep working hard.” The Bingham Award recognizes Navy Exchanges that have demonstrated excellence in customer service, operations and management. The award is named after the late Captain W.H. Bingham, SC, USNR, who was the chief executive of the R.H. Macy’s Company and in 1946 was appointed by the Secretary of the Navy to lead an advisory board for the establishment of the Navy Exchanges system.
IN THIS EDITION
Next issue street date
Friday, August 6
Submission deadline
Friday, July 30
NEX announces scholarship winner See page 3
Brig opens NTC See page 3
Night swimming See page 12