One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 130 years of family serving family
Who she is: Annette Lewis, inventory control associate, Edwards Air Force Base
Years at the Exchange: Lewis has been working at the Exchange for more than 41 years.
Military connections: Lewis’ husband served as a jet engine mechanic in the Air Force for more than 20 years. She credits the Exchange with allowing her to work and still have time to raise a family while her husband served.
“It was convenient,” Lewis said. “We lived on base while I was raising a little one, and I needed something that would work with my time.”
Career history: For Lewis, the Exchange was not only a workplace but also a partner that supported her family through deployments, frequent TDYs and the realities of military life. When her husband was away, she knew her job would work with her needs as a spouse and parent.
Her Exchange story began at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, where she worked as a sales clerk earning $3.54 an hour—wages that felt substantial at the time to a young military spouse starting out. What started as a part-time position soon became a career.
Lewis worked around the world, including overseas in England, where she held a variety of roles across multiple departments, including customer service and accounting, before transitioning into inventory operations. In 1989, her family settled in Edwards AFB, California, where Lewis continued to grow her career.
Memorable moments: One of the most meaningful experiences of her career came when she served as an Equal Employment Opportunity counselor, an experience she described as eye-opening—reinforcing her belief that the Exchange treats employees fairly.
Family Serving Family: “When I worked in customer service, assisting a customer who may be upset and putting a smile on their face can really make someone’s day,” she said. “We’re all facing challenges and knowing I can offer patience and a smile to a customer is really fulfilling.”
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