Outgoing SWA Regional Logistics Manager Recognized for Work With Army Transportation Brigade

For the past two years, Artie Van Riper has been deployed to Southwest Asia, where as Regional Logistics Manager he worked logistics for Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

In July, Col. Ricardo Sierra-Guzman, commander of the 595th Transportation Brigade, presented the Exchange’s Artie Van Riper with the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service. The accompanying certificate cites Van Riper’s exceptional service and “expert knowledge and partnership” while serving as Regional Logistics Manager in Southwest Asia. Van Riper is redeploying to Dallas this month after two years in SWA.

“When we run logistics here, we’re doing it via water, land and aircraft,” Van Riper said. “We have to work very closely with the military because we’re dependent on them for movements.”

Van Riper worked most closely with the Army’s 595^th Transportation Brigade, which ships all the Exchange’s containers on its vessels.

“You could say that the Exchange is actually their customer,” he continued. “But it’s more of a partnership, because it’s up to me to do my job, so I can get my containers cleared and delivered to installations on time. If not, we can get hit with what are called detention fees.”

The total of detention fees from July 2021 to April 2022 was $1,000—a significant drop from when Van Riper arrived in 2020. In July of this year, Col. Ricardo Sierra-Guzman, commander of the 595^th, presented Van Riper with the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, citing the decrease in detention fees as a factor in the recognition.

“I was surprised to get it,” said Van Riper, who has been with the Exchange since 2017. “I really thought all I was doing was my job out here.”

It was still a complicated job for Van Riper, who will redeploy back to Dallas headquarters this month after spending his first seven months in SWA in Iraq and the remainder in Kuwait. “We watch the cargo, we have the cargo delivered, I coordinate with the bases, we work through any issue,” Van Riper said.

Van Riper’s team has even helped the military run test routes that have led to opening up new shipping lanes. He said the lessons learned working closely with the military will serve him well when he returns to Dallas. Deployment has increased his knowledge of the ebb and flow of logistics in Southwest Asia and has improved his understanding about dealing with customs officials in different countries.

“On the logistics side, you get to know the military very well,” he said. “I’ve been working with the military day in, day out, on ground movements, on air movements, on clearing of goods, on moving things faster. I get to see my hard work firsthand. If I’m able to get a good delivery out quicker, that keeps the shelves fuller, and that means there are more products out there to sell.”

Van Riper added that everyone works as a team in Southwest Asia.

“My retail partners are always there to support and help out wherever needed,” Van Riper said. “We also could not do what we do out here without the support of the Europe Region.”

Karen Stack, executive vice president and chief logistics officer, added that the collaborative spirit is key to serving those who serve.

“When we trust our person on the ground and give them the support and authority to do their job, coupled with the true partnership and support of Ken Limtiaco, the Contingency vice president, great things happen for the Soldiers and Airmen,” Stack said.

Marla Smith Randolph, senior vice president, Europe/SWA/Africa region, said that Van Riper often went above and beyond to help out.

“He also assisted with movement of merchandise from Kuwait to Germany in support of Operation Allies Welcome and most recently provided logistical support for Cairo, Egypt,” Randolph said. “We are grateful for his Europe/SWA-inclusive engagement that will pay dividends in years to come.”

During his deployment, Van Riper has seen what a small taste of home means to troops stationed overseas. He saw how difficult it was for troops when a store closed because of COVID. “Sometimes Soldiers go to the store just to walk around,” he said. “It’s a distraction for them. When you’re deployed, you get to see what it means to them.”

When the command sergeant major of the 595^th couldn’t find a favorite product at one store, Van Riper found it in another store and brought it to the sergeant major later in the day.

“I try to do little things like that for Soldiers because it makes their day,” he said. “Just those little things like that bring a smile to their faces. They’re happy for the little things—the drinks, the chips, the candy bars. It’s those little things that make these men and women happy.”