Sheppard lieutenant to speak at ALA convention

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Beyond the great accomplishment of winning the first place prize of $1,500 for the worldwide Department of Defense annual Commissary Commando competition in May, Sheppard was the only air force base to win a prize. 

Sheppard's success was so great that 1st Lt. Daniel Chavez, 82nd Training Wing warrior weekend operations officer, received an invitation to speak and present a slide show Sept. 30 at the American Logistics Association convention in Baltimore, Md., being held from Sept. 29 - Oct. 1. 

He said his job was to get as many Airmen to attend as he could. He used a few of the Wing Staff meetings to ask the commanders to allow their Airmen to attend, he then sent out and later collected rosters for Donna Romolton the store director, and coordinated with training operations to getting the Airmen to the commissary safely.

"The Defense Commissary Agency is extremely impressed with our ability to get 4,000 plus Airmen into the commissary building that they want me to share with them how it is that we were so successful," the lieutenant said.

"This was the sixth year competing and was Sheppard's most successful year," Mrs. Romolton said. 

The point of this event is to let new military members that come to Sheppard be more familiar with what the commissary offers, and to educate them as well. 

"This is the number one unpaid benefit for the military. It's meant to be fun and educational," said Manuel Othon, the store director. "It helps to know what you are looking for as military members for deployments and when they change bases." 

There were several games throughout the store to help Airmen get familiarized with how the store is organized. 

"We had several games that day such as, 'Healthy Choice Shopping Challenge,' a Shopping cart race, watermelon eating contests, and turkey bowling," said Alfreda Dumas the grocery manager.

Mr. Othon said he appreciates everyone's help and contributions. He said the troops made it a successful year and was a great commissary awareness and outreach opportunity.

"In the end, no other commissary DoD wide came close," said lieutenant Chavez.