Exchange Deputy Director Focuses on Making Airmen’s Lives Better at Columbus

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  • Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Army & Air Force Exchange Service Deputy Director Mike Immler is making it his mission to ensure the Exchange is doing all it can to serve Airmen at Columbus Air Force Base.

“The Exchange is dedicated to making Team BLAZE a community, ensuring Airmen, retirees and their families have a place to shop and dine that they can be proud of,” Immler said.

To better understand how the Exchange can best meet the needs of the community, Immler toured the Main Exchange, food court, mall and Express during his June 7 visit to Columbus. He met with 14th Flying Training Wing Vice Commander Col. James Fisher, 14th Flying Training Wing Chief Master Sgt. Rita Felton, 14th Mission Support Group Commander Col. Kurt Kayser, 14th Mission Support Group Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Jenny Christian and 14th Mission Support Group Chief Master Sgt. William Whitt to address how the Exchange can customize support for Team BLAZE.

The Exchange is focused on making improvements to deliver a contemporary shopping experience. Last year, the Columbus Exchange re-energized its PowerZone area with new fixtures for a more modern look. New walk-in coolers were added to the main store as well. At the Express, new flooring, counters, coolers, an air station and a digital fuel price monument were added.

The Exchange is dedicated to bringing top national products, such as Michael Kors, GoPro and Lucky to store shelves.

“We are committed to helping make Columbus AFB a great place to live and work,” Immler said. “The Exchange remains focused on bringing terrific brands and great value to Airmen.”

If Airmen can’t find the products they need in the Columbus Exchange, they can go to shopmyexchange.com, which has been improved to make shopping and order fulfillment easier, Immler said.

“The Exchange online store is continually being updated to ensure the best brands are just a click away,” he said. “Being able to shop the Exchange online for an expanded product assortment is a key part of our efforts to provide a consistent experience on the Internet or on the installation.”

Every time Airmen shop at the Exchange or shopmyexchange.com, they are generating funds to help make life better at Columbus AFB.

“For every dollar earned, historically 67 cents comes back to the military community through the Air Force Services dividend,” Immler said. “Last year, sales at the Columbus AFB Exchange generated more than $226,500 on behalf of Services programs. Every time shoppers buy from the Exchange, they are improving their community.”

Immler is the first civilian deputy director of the 120-year-old organization, which employs approximately 35,000 associates worldwide. In addition, 35 active-duty service members are assigned to the Exchange.