In October 1987, Karin Duncan graduated from the Exchange’s College Trainee program at Fort Hood, Texas, kicking off her Exchange career.
Now, after a 35-year journey that has seen her rise through the ranks to Senior Vice President of the Pacific Region, Duncan is retiring from the Exchange.
“I have learned many things in the various assignments and got to work with a lot of amazing people, many of whom made lasting impressions on me, like (former Sales Directorate SVP) Maggie Burgess and (former Chief Operating Officer) Mike Howard.” Duncan said. “Working for the Exchange is more than just a job—you are part of a family.”
According to the Exchange’s Director/CEO Tom Shull, Duncan is a trailblazer who has consistently gone above and beyond for the Exchange and its people.
“We are a better organization because of Karin’s selfless service,” said Shull. “Her sincere passion for our teammates and the benefits the Exchange provides our Nation’s military community has been a significant force multiplier for the Exchange for more than three decades. Karin personifies ‘family serving family.’”
For Duncan, the Exchange and family are inexorably linked—during her time as sales and merchandising manager at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, she met her spouse for 28 years and counting.
“He was in the Air Force and worked as the kennel master for Lackland,” Duncan said. “He also worked part time for the Exchange as a store detective, and that’s how we met. Once we started dating, he moved from Lackland to Fort Sam Houston because the GM said we couldn’t work in the same store. Eventually we got married, and he followed me to my next assignment at Whiteman AFB.”
After various assignments spanning Hawaii, Virginia, North Carolina and the Exchange’s Dallas headquarters, Duncan’s Exchange journey brought her to the Pacific Region, where she assumed the role of Senior Vice President in June 2010. The Exchange’s COO Jason Rosenberg says Duncan is a first-ballot Exchange Operator Hall of Fame inductee.
“The complexities of an overseas region are incredibly unique and challenging,” said Rosenberg. “Karin’s operational skillset and leadership are textbook examples for future Exchange leaders to follow. She is one of the greatest operators we have ever had at the Exchange.”
In 2012, preparations began for the relocation of the Exchange’s Korea operations to U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, a nine-year effort that Duncan counts among her proudest achievements with the Exchange.
“We move around so much at the Exchange that it’s very unusual to be involved in a project of that magnitude over a nearly 10-year period,” Duncan said. “To be able to be here and see the various stages was incredible. Most significant was getting the store open before the holidays—that was a big deal for the community.”
The effort saw the opening of a new, 300,000-square-foot Exchange shopping center and a 255,800-square-foot distribution center and bakery at Humphreys, along with the opening of 46 and relocation of 19 Exchange facilities.
Duncan said she was particularly happy that the region and store teams—including Yongsan General Manager Ann Yi—were able to work together to find homes for associates moving to Humphreys after the closure of the Yongsan Exchange and other facilities during the relocation project.
“That’s one of the most important things—the associates,” Duncan said. “They make things happen. We can guide them and coach them and lead them, but nothing gets done through me; it gets done through the associates.”
Reflecting on her time in the Pacific Region, Duncan said she couldn’t have asked for a better assignment over the last 12 years of her career.
“Through the years I’ve met so many people. Chatting with them these last couple of months and hearing what they’ve done and stories they remember about our time together really has been very rewarding,” Duncan said. “It reminds me that as leaders, we’re always on. We’re always being watched. You say and do the littlest things that you think aren’t that big of a deal, but they can be very impactful.
“It’s something I tell my mentees—you never know what kind of difference you can make in someone’s life. You always have to teach and coach. Sometimes you have to provide some guidance and sometimes someone might not be doing something the best way, but that’s why you’re there—to always help that team member learn how to be and do better.”
SSG Mark Kauffman contributed to this story.
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