In brief:
- E-commerce associate has spent 26 years delivering exceptional customer service
- Career has included two Iraq deployments
- Military family members make Exchange mission possible
One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 131 years of family serving family
Who she is: Rose Dupree, e-commerce call center team lead, HQ
Years at the Exchange: More than 26
Military connections: A member of a military family, Dupree said the Exchange felt like a natural fit long before she joined the organization in February 2000.
“My husband, father and brother all served in the military, giving me a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by service members and their families,” Dupree said. “I wanted a career where I could make a meaningful difference every day, and the Exchange provided that opportunity.”
Leading by example: As a Customer Service lead at Exchange headquarters, Dupree helps resolve complex customer concerns, processes gift-card replacements and refunds, assists with jewelry upgrades, trade-ins, and supports the training and development of new associates.
As the Exchange celebrates Customer Service Week, Dupree’s career illustrates how exceptional service can make a lasting difference for military members and their families, whether they are shopping from home or serving thousands of miles away.
“I lead by example through professionalism, teamwork and a commitment to outstanding customer service,” Dupree said. “Leadership is demonstrated through actions rather than words.”
Memorable moments during deployment: Dupree’s commitment took her overseas twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In September 2006, Dupree deployed to Camp Liberty, Iraq, as a sales technician, helping ensure deployed service members had access to essential products and services. She returned to the region in December 2007, serving in Kirkuk, Iraq, where she supervised multinational associates, managed retail and warehouse operations and supported daily mission needs.
“The most memorable moment of my Exchange career was deploying to Iraq and supporting our troops firsthand,” Dupree said. “Experiencing the Exchange ‘We Go Where You Go’ mission in a deployed environment was both humbling and rewarding.”
Serving alongside deployed military members deepened her appreciation for the Exchange mission and the effect associates can have on troop morale and Quality of Life.
“Knowing that I played a role in providing essential goods, services and a sense of normalcy to military personnel far from home made a lasting impact on me,” Dupree said. “Those deployments reinforced my commitment to serving our military community and remain a source of pride throughout my Exchange career.”
Family serving family: For Dupree, customer service is also an expression of the Exchange’s core value of family serving family.
“‘Family serving family’ means caring for military members, Veterans, retirees and their families with the same respect, compassion and dedication that we would show our own family members,” Dupree said. “Whether helping a customer resolve an issue, supporting a deployed Soldier or assisting a military family member, I strive to make a positive difference in their experience.”
After more than two decades with the Exchange, Dupree remains proud of the role she plays in serving the military community.
“Supporting our troops during challenging times remains one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” she said. “The Exchange mission and the people we serve continue to inspire me every day.”
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