The Army & Air Force Exchange Service marked a historic transition as Director/CEO Tom Shull retired after decades of service to our Nation, passing the guidon to Brad Bingham during a formal change of responsibility ceremony.
The event honored Shull’s service and his legacy of strengthening Quality-of-Life support of Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians, military families and Veterans.
During the ceremony at the Exchange’s Dallas headquarters, Shull was surrounded by family, friends, classmates, members of the Exchange’s Board of Directors, military leaders and Exchange teammates. Videos throughout the ceremony honored Shull’s commitment to the Exchange’s core values: respect everyone, courage to use good judgment and family serving family.
Shull grew up in an Army family, and his father served 30 years, with 45 months in combat. Shull followed in his brother’s footsteps and attended the U.S. Military Academy, graduating in 1973.
During his 23 years in the Army, he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, Support Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and Infantry Company Commander.
In 1981, he was named to the 17th class of White House Fellows and served in the Office of the Chief of Staff. During his last active-duty assignment, he served as Military Assistant to Robert “Bud” McFarlane, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. He represented the White House in championing the construction and dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
“Every day, I try to emulate Bud’s faith and leadership example,” Shull said.
Shull then helped restructure iconic American brands including Macy’s, Barneys New York, The Company Store and Wise Foods. He returned home to his military family as the Exchange’s first civilian director/CEO in June 2012.
“Serving at the Exchange has been the greatest honor of all,” he told the crowd, which filled the Braswell Auditorium with additional teammates watching a live feed in the food court and hundreds tuning in via Microsoft Teams. “Only this team can strengthen Quality of Life the way you do for all who serve.”
Shull emphasized that the ceremony was not about him, but about Team Exchange and its accomplishments over the past 14 years, including:
- Extending the lifelong Exchange benefit to 22 million Veterans who served honorably.
- Hiring 68,000 veterans and military spouses and 2,200 wounded warriors.
- Serving 1 billion meals, including 45 million school meals to dependents overseas.
- Supporting at the tip of the spear, including serving 1.2 million warriors and during 350 exercises.
- Outfitting more than 14 million combat uniforms at cost.
- Supporting first responders and communities impacted by fires, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
- Generating $19 billion in benefits supporting Quality of Life for the military community.
“You were always on point, keeping the needs of heroes and families we serve first,” he said.
Shull reflected on two significant milestones occurring back to back in 2017: the resilience of the Exchange’s Puerto Rico team after Hurricane Maria and the opening of the Exchange’s largest main store in the Pacific at USAG Humphreys in South Korea months ahead of schedule and in time for traditional Black Friday shopping.
“Their resiliency is testament to their outstanding leadership and courage to ‘Go where you go,’” he said.
During his remarks, Bingham thanked Shull for his steadfast devotion to serving those who serve.
“Tom, you have left an indelible mark on the Exchange and our people, reinvigorating this benefit and setting us on a path for success,” Bingham said after the guidon was passed. “I have deep respect for what you accomplished, and I am committed to carrying your legacy forward. … Thank you for decades of selfless service to our Nation.”
Before giving his final salute, Shull thanked his wife, Dorothy, and their three children, Jeffrey, Josh and Emily, for their unwavering support and closed with a reference to Micah 6:8.
“‘Act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God,’” he said. “Thank you, and may God bless our troops and families.”
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