In brief:
- Lisa R. Carr is a 32-year Exchange associate
- Daughter of a Soldier who served 30 years in Army
- Credits mentors with offering needed encouragement
One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 131 years of family serving family
Who she is: Lisa R. Carr, recruiting manager, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Exchange, New Jersey
Years with the Exchange: 32
Exchange connections: The daughter of a Soldier who served 30 years in the Army, Carr grew up shopping at the Exchange. Seeing a classmate working there inspired her to apply.
When Carr applied, paper applications were accepted. She would check with Human Resources about openings roughly every two weeks until her persistence paid off. She started as a cashier-checker shortly after graduating from high school.
Finding her career path: Store Manager Maurice Joyner helped Carr see possibilities beyond her first job. He introduced her to different career paths and encouraged her to try a temporary assignment as a learning facilitator.
“I loved being in front of people and teaching,” Carr said. “I had a passion for that.”
She served as a learning facilitator from 2003 to 2015 before moving into HR. To build her knowledge, she pursued a Human Resources Management certificate through Cornell University.
Carr also credits mentors, including Senior Vice President of Services, Food & Fuel Denise Hunter, with offering encouragement when she needed it. Today, she provides that support to others.
Helping others see opportunity: At recruiting events, Carr meets transitioning service members who may not realize how many career paths the Exchange offers.
In her current position, Carr shares her experience and explains Exchange career opportunities in different directorates, CONUS and OCONUS.
“Don’t sleep on the Exchange,” she said.
Candy, water bottles and an invitation to bring a friend help make her recruiting table a welcoming place to start a conversation.
Making a difference: One experience that stands out to Carr involved a newly hired associate who was returning to the workforce after about a decade.
During a lunch break, Carr learned that the associate did not have money for a meal, so she invited her to the food court and bought her lunch. The woman later shared that she was leaving an abusive relationship and working toward financial independence. Carr’s kindness helped her feel supported without judgment.
“I’m able to make a difference in somebody’s life,” Carr said.
Something people might not know: Carr’s career has included modeling and acting. She said she spent 10 years playing a nurse on the soap opera “All My Children” while continuing to work for the Exchange.
Her managers accommodated school and filming schedules. When episodes aired, coworkers gathered around the breakroom television to watch.
Advice for prospective associates: Carr encourages job seekers to consider how an Exchange opportunity could help them move forward.
“If you don’t have your future figured out, the Exchange can be a steppingstone to learning where you belong,” she said.
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