is no greater honor than to serve those who associates are part of a long legacy of supporting our troops. Anywhere the troops go, our associates are there. Many of them have deployed and see first-hand the impact our actions have on service members around the world. All our associates play a critical role in the readiness of the greatest fighting force the world has ever am deeply honored to be named the first civilian Director/Chief Executive Officer in the history of the Army Air Force Exchange Service, and would like to acknowledge all the Commanders who have taken the Exchange through its storied history. As a military and retail veteran, my decision to join the Exchange team was based on a desire to serve again. My family, including my father, father-in-law, brother and brother-in-law, has a long history of military service. I spent nearly 20 years in the Army, and my commitment to the mission is as strong today as it was when I arrived at West Point in 1969. After leaving active duty in the 1980s, I had hoped to find a way to leverage my private sector business experience for the benefit of military families. Joining the Exchange allows me to once again be of service to our military family and give back to a community with which I have always shared a special bond. As with other major retailers, Internet shopping has will continue to primary focus for growth. We will expand our online presence so we can become more relevant to our lives, especially in times like these. From the Top Serving Those Who Serve Some of my other future Strategic Priorities for the Exchange include: Developing and inspiring future leaders Increasing national brands Growing concessions Growing the Express stores Reducing (Selling General and Administrative) expenses Our hard-working associates in the stores play a huge role in ensuring customers can find the products they want, whether in our stores or online. Collectively, they can become powerful advocates to guide customers to shopmyexchange.com to find great solutions to their shopping needs. Speaking of our associates, the Exchange is full of people who have devoted their lives to the Soldiers, Airmen and families of our U.S. military. Like the troops, our associates move from location to location and make sacrifices to deliver the benefit wherever the military is called to serve. Whether Afghanistan or Alaska, an Exchange bringing the comforts of home that troops have come to expect. Our dedicated associates selflessly go where the troops go to bring that of to the people who are the very best our country has to offer. Thomas C. Shull Director/CEO The Exchange, ranked 47th in the National Retail Top 100 retailers in the U.S. based on dollar sales, is responsible for nearly 3,700 facilities worldwide in more than 30 countries, five U.S. territories and 50 states. The Exchange operates 180 main stores, more than 2,000 brand-name restaurants and also provides military communities with convenience stores, specialty shops and movie theaters on installations worldwide, including locations in Afghanistan.