Last modified Wed., February 13, 2008 - 05:00 PM
Originally created Thursday, February 14, 2008

Navy Exchange holds awards ceremony

By Kaylee LaRocque, Editor

NAS Jax Navy Exchange (NEX) employee Barbie Austin happily accepts the 2007 Associate of the Year Award from NEX Store Manager John Wood during a ceremony Feb. 7. Photos by Kaylee LaRocque

A special ceremony was held Feb. 6 to honor employees from the NAS Jax Navy Exchange (NEX). "We are holding this awards ceremony today to honor the associates of the NEX with service awards, special recognition awards, associates of the month and associates of the year. We have more than 600 years of service to recognize today," said NEX Store Manager John Wood.

On hand to help honor NEX employees was NAS Jax Executive Officer Capt. Steven Holmes and Command Master Chief CMDCM(SS/SW) Jeff Hudson.

"I was first stationed here in 1987 and I've only moved away from here for five years so this NEX is my home NEX. I see a lot of familiar faces every time I come in here. I want to thank each and every one of you because for as long as I've been coming here, I don't think this NEX has been any better than it is right now. It's because of each and every one of you," said Holmes. "I know that by being in the Navy, it takes every single person in this outfit to make it good; every one of you is invaluable no matter what you do, day in and day out. So, I want to thank you. The NEX is a great part of Team NAS Jax."

NAS Jax NEXpress Mini-Mart Supervisor Carmen Calderon is presented the 2007 Supervisor of the Year Award from Navy Exchange (NEX) Store Manager John Wood as NEX Store Director Steve Foster, left, and NAS Jax Executive Officer Capt. Steve Holmes look on during a ceremony Feb. 7.

After recognizing numerous associates for the accomplishments and length of service, a very surprised Barbie Austin was called to the front of the room.

"Always demonstrating the exact skills and dedication to superior performance that outstanding associates possess, you can and do handle all operations of a receiving department that repeatedly ranks as one of the most productive receiving departments in the world. You also stepped up to assist the exchange this summer when several of our associates at our Yellow Water location were out due to injury

NAS Jax Navy Exchange (NEX) employee Freddie Moxin, right, reads his award for 35 years of service after receiving the award from NEX Store Director Steve Foster.

NAS Jax Navy Exchange (NEX) employee Bell Horne proudly displays her certificate for 35 years of dedicated service to the NEX with NEX Store Director Steve Foster, left, and NAS Jax Executive Officer Capt. Steve Holmes.