127 Years of Family Serving Family: Cassie Mullen, Vandenberg SFB

One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 127 years of family serving family.

Who she is: Cassie Mullen, Express manager, Vandenberg SFB

Years with the Exchange: 25

What brought her to the Exchange: “I grew up around the military and the Air Force my whole life. I wanted to join the military but wasn’t able to because of a back injury in high school. My mom worked for the Exchange, and I saw what they did for her.”

What she did at first: Worked at the Vandenberg Exchange Burger King. “They were willing to work around my school schedule while I was in college.”

What she does now: Runs the Express/Class Six.

Where she’s worked: Mullen has spent her entire Exchange career at Vandenberg, moving from the Burger King to the Military Clothing store, then the main store for a time before managing the food court and then into her current position, where she’s been for 12 years.

Military connections: “I always grew up with the military. My dad served in the Air Force 26 years. Among my uncles, aunts, cousins and extended family, I probably have more than 20 relatives who have served. I remember hearing stories from my grandfather and my uncle who served in Vietnam.”

Exchange connections: “My mom worked for the Exchange for 20-plus years. She managed the cafeteria at Loring Air Force Base in Maine. When the base shut down, we got orders to Vandenberg, and she joined the food court here until she retired about four years ago.”

Memorable Moment: “When I ran the food court and theater, I loved doing the kid events, like showing movies for kids whose parents were deployed.”

Family serving family: “To me, it means we grow together. Sometimes you see your customers more than your own family. We’re there for them. I’ve been at Vandenberg for 25 years—I’ve seen some customers leave and then come back.”