One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 130 years of family serving family
Who she is: Gavonne Jackson, Camp Shelby Exchange store manager
Years at the Exchange: 30
What brought her to the Exchange: A native of Mobile, Alabama, Jackson began her Exchange career in 1995 after moving to Georgia in 1989 with her then-husband. She heard that the now-closed Fort Gillem Exchange was hiring seasonal associates for the holiday season.
On her first day, she recalls thinking to herself, “I can make a life with this [career]. I knew then when I saw how nice the managers were that this is what I wanted.”
Jackson worked as a cashier for two years before joining Ops Squad, where she was responsible for maintaining the endcaps and displays, then transitioned to visual merchandiser. She later became Softlines manager and advanced to store manager.
After the closure of Fort Gillem in 2011, she relocated to Dobbins ARB, then to Keesler AFB.
What’s kept her at the Exchange? The people. Jackson says she strives to go beyond what is expected to serve those around her and treat everyone as she treats her own family.
During the COVID pandemic, a sergeant major approached her, explaining that service members preparing to deploy were “in the bubble” and could not be around the public. Jackson closed the store to the public for two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays so 1,400 service members could shop before deployment. At the time, she had one cashier, a foreman and two managers. She remembers agreeing, then panicking and asking her team, “What did I just do?” and “Did I really just [offer to] do that?” She laughs about it now, saying, “We’re here to help.”
A change in perspective: Jackson was known for her relentless, get‑it‑done approach to leadership, a style that earned her the nickname “pit bull” by her manager.
She tackled challenges head‑on and expected the same level of drive from her team. However, in 2020 Jackson was diagnosed with a tumor. Her battle with the diagnosis became a turning point that shifted how she viewed both work and life. After beating the disease, she says she gained a new outlook and realized that being a “pit bull” is not the way to live because “that doesn’t get you anywhere.”
The experience reshaped her leadership style, leading her to focus more on patience, empathy and building stronger relationships with those around her.
“I knew that I was never going to give up on this job, and I was hoping that they would never give up on me … and they didn’t.”
Exchange memories through the years: She remembers a promotion called “Midnight Madness,” when the Exchange opened at midnight with special deals on merchandise and even a promotion where shoppers filled a bag with items and received a discount on whatever fit inside.
In 2025, Jackson was recognized for 30 years of service by the Camp Shelby community and awarded the Civilian Service Commendation Medal recognizing her commitment to the community by Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center Post Commander Col. William Henry and Command Sgt. Maj. Carl Dean.
Family serving family: “I love what the Exchange represents and how it helps people and the communication among one another,” Jackson said. “The customers depend on us to help them when they are in need. We’re here to help the retiree, active duty, the reservist, everybody, that’s what you call family serving family.”
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