130 Years of Family Serving Family: Annamaria Williams, Fort Bragg

One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 130 years of family serving family.

Who she is: Annamaria Williams, shift manager at the Glider Express at Fort Bragg

Years at the Exchange: 22 years

What brought her to the Exchange: “I started in Bamberg, Germany. My sister and her husband PCS’d there, and they wanted me to help take care of their baby, so I went over there and I started working for the Exchange. I was hired on the spot.”

Military connections: Williams’ father served as chief petty officer in the Navy. Her daughter served in the Army, retiring as a major. Her sister also served in the Army, achieving the rank of staff sergeant. Her nephew served in the Navy as a quartermaster.

Early Exchange memories: Williams said she remembers her time in Germany fondly.

“My sister and her family PCS’d and left, but the Exchange found a way for me to stay. I lived in a studio apartment with the Germans. They’d bring me bagels and set them at the door. The Exchange also looked over me while I stayed and helped me learn to relate to the Army life.”

Her Exchange career: After living in Germany, Williams was assigned to Fort Bragg.

“When I came to Bragg, I started back from the bottom. I came to work at the South Post Exchange as an associate, then I became a shift manager. I’ve been all over this base at different facilities as a shift manager. I pray, someday, I’ll have my own store before I retire.

“My special project here is running the Glider Express. It is one of the biggest Expresses on Fort Bragg. I want to stay and be a leader here.”

Memorable moments: “My boss gave me an award and a plaque in recognition of my effort and time spent going above and beyond as a shift manager. … That made me so happy, and I don’t think I’ll forget that moment. I went home, sat down and I cried because I work hard. It meant a lot to me because someone sees what I do and knows I give everything to do this job.

“I’ve also had a Soldier tell me, ‘Annamaria, I’ve been on this base a long time and you’re one of the best people I’ve talked to since I’ve been here.’ That made me feel good.”

Family serving family: “It means I’m here for the Soldiers, I’m here for the organization and I am here for my own family too. It means we’re all a family here. Even when I talk to my relatives, they say, ‘That’s your family out there.’ It means taking care of all of us. Some of these guys will even call me ‘mama.’ I feel comfortable with it because they trust me to help them if they need help.”