
Maria Elena Hess earned the recognition out of nearly 220 ambassadors.

The winners were randomly selected from more than 1,170 military students who entered the drawing after maintaining at least a B average during the 2024 fall semester.

The warehouse worker, who started at the Exchange in 1983, served with the Maryland Air National Guard.

For more than 20 years, the Exchange has delivered thousands of boxes of cookies overseas to help the Girl Scouts of the USA’s overseas branch, USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO), make a difference by improving…

The Human Resources recruiting manager, a military spouse, celebrated her fifth anniversary with the Exchange in December.

JBSA-Lackland Exchange Service Business technician Kristen Ruiz and JBSA-Randolph Express laborer Jemse Cruz are planning to reach another milestone together as a couple – joining the Nation’s military, as newlyweds.

Ashly Gutierrez, a shift manager, was named both the winner and second runner-up.

“I like all the opportunities I have here,” says the services business technician, who is a Navy Veteran and a Military spouse.

One customer even waited outside overnight to be first in line for the opening of the restaurant, the first Panda Express on a military installation and Korea and only the second in the country.

The upgraded Express features two new quick-serve restaurants.
