127 Years of Family Serving Family: Neal Smart, Lakenheath

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

Who he is: Neal Smart, Main Store Manager, Lakenheath

Years with the Exchange: 29

What brought him to the Exchange: “I spent 10 years in the Air Force and was a frequent customer of the Exchange. It was part of our community. When I left the Air Force, I found civilian life quite different. I took a job with the Exchange to get back into the community I knew. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

What he did at first: Smart began his Exchange career in 1994 as an early morning stocker in Lakenheath. He moved to Ramstein AB shortly after as a stockroom manager. He was a sales merchandise manager at Tyndall AFB, Florida; and a store manager at Camp Shelby, Mississippi; Fort McCoy, Wisconsin; Fort Knox, Kentucky; and Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Memorable moment: “Being temporary duty in Kuwait was truly like being deployed! We lived out in the desert, slept in tents and ate Army rations. Absolutely was one of the greatest experiences I have had. Bringing a bit of home to the deployed Army troops just gave you tremendous satisfaction knowing how much of an effect you had on their lives at the time.”

Best part of the job: “The best part of the job is taking care of Soldiers and their families, especially overseas when they have limited access to essentials.”

Family serving family: “Working with the Exchange is a way of life. It gives your life meaning with a mission. The mission to make life better for Soldiers. The Exchange is a whole family.”