Navy Exchange (NEX) Washington Navy Yard (WNY) associates and Naval Support Activity Washington (NSAW) leadership were honored with the Bingham Award in a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard Oct. 24.
The award was named after Capt. W.H. Bingham, who in 1946 was directed by the Secretary of the Navy to establish the Navy Exchange system. The award recognizes Navy Exchanges for work done throughout the year in support of military members, and is presented to the best Navy Exchanges in nine sales categories for overall financial results and customer service. NEX WNY won the award in the $1.4 million to $3 million sales category fiscal year (FY) 2012.
Robert Bianchi, NEX Services Command (NEXCOM) CEO, presented the award and offered his congratulations to the team on their success.
“Winning this Bingham Award represents a tremendous achievement on the part of all our store associates and our base community,” said Bianchi. “Celebrations like this one today exemplify the true spirit, the dedication, and the professionalism of our associates. You all take to heart the mission of the Navy Exchange Service Command, which is to provide quality goods and services at a savings and to support Navy quality of life programs. Customer service, and more importantly customer satisfaction, is what Washington Navy Yard associates deliver each and every day.”
Bianchi went on to cite specific achievements that led to the selection of NEX WNY as the recipient of the award, such as the higher than national average customer satisfaction index score of 91, and an associate satisfaction index score of 83. Additionally, NEX WNY exceeded its planned exchange operating profit by 206 percent while decreasing its selling administrative and general expenses by nearly 30 percent. Bianchi praised the NEX WNY staff for its “premier customer service” during events such as store renovations and chief petty officer selection season, and the store’s ability to generate over $97,000 in local dividends supporting WNY.
“Customer service, and more importantly customer satisfaction, is what Washington Navy Yard associates deliver each and every day,” said Bianchi.
Capt. Monte Ulmer, NSAW commanding officer, said he was honored to not only be receiving the award with the NEX WNY personnel, but also to have written the endorsement that accompanied the store’s nomination.
“Winning this award represents a remarkable accomplishment for all of this team and the Washington Navy Yard community,” said Ulmer. “The management and associates of the Washington Navy Yard Exchange provide Naval Support Activity Washington and the Washington Navy Yard with the most professional service you will find in any Navy Exchange. The service that you provide contributes to the pride of the Navy Yard. I believe that our continued relationship will earn the Washington Navy Yard Exchange future Bingham Awards. To the management and associates of the Washington Navy Yard Exchange, I say job well done.”
The ceremony closed with remarks from WNY/Anacostia NEX branch manager Gary Elliott, who offered a brief but heartfelt statement on the level of pride he feels for his team upon winning the Bingham award.
“To my associates, today is your day,” said Elliott. “You made this achievement possible with your cohesive teamwork and your customer service. As soon as a customer comes through the door, you are first rate. I want to thank each one of you for your performance and your dedication in providing the great assistance that made this award stand out from the rest. I am proud to call you shipmates.”
NEX WNY opened its doors Nov. 25, 1963, and is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary of service to WNY personnel and the region as a whole.
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