BEST COMMISSARY AWARDS: DeCA announces its top stores for 2020 in virtual events

  • Published
  • By Jessica Rouse, DeCA public affairs specialist
  • Defense Commissary Agency Public Affairs

The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) recently announced the winners of the 2020 Best Commissary Awards in virtual ceremonies.

The agency held three separate virtual events – one for the East and Central areas, plus Headquarters; one for the European Area and one for the West and Pacific Areas – to celebrate the anniversary and announce the 2020 winners. Attendees included store directors, zone managers, area directors and agency senior leadership.

“2020 was a tough year for all of us, but our store employees once again stepped up to the plate and got the job done,” said Bill Moore, DeCA director and CEO. “We are so proud and thankful for the hard work, service and commitment you all have shown. Now more than ever, you all have earned these awards.”

“The criteria for these awards are very stringent, and the competition was steep,” said Rogers Campbell, store operations executive director. “Every associate at these stores should be very proud of their achievements. You are all winners every day, and we applaud you and your accomplishments.”

The winners are:

Richard M. Paget Award - United States Best Small Commissary

  • 1st Place - Fort Detrick Commissary, Maryland
  • 2nd Place - Grand Forks Air Force Base Commissary, North Dakota

L. Mendel Rivers Award - Overseas Best Small Commissary

  • 1st Place - Lajes Field Commissary, Portugal
  • 2nd Place - Camp Casey Commissary, South Korea

Bill Nichols Award - United States Best Large Commissary

  • 1st Place - Naval Base Port Hueneme Commissary, California
  • 2nd Place - Ord Community Commissary, California

Dan Daniel Award - Overseas Best Large Commissary

  • 1st Place - Camp Humphreys Commissary, South Korea
  • 2nd Place - Naval Station Rota Commissary, Spain

Director’s Award - Best Large Commissary Overall

  • 1st Place - Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay Commissary, Hawaii
  • 2nd Place - Peterson Space Force Base Commissary, Colorado

Each of the five awards are determined by store location and size, and four of the awards are named in honor of government officials who protected the commissary benefit and championed quality-of-life issues for the military and their families.

The Director’s Award is won by the best overall large store, regardless of location. DeCA zone managers nominated one store per awards category from their zone. Nominations were judged on tangible and intangible qualities such as friendly environment, a well-run store, good work ethic and sense of a cohesive team. Tangible qualities include:

  • sales
  • Commissary Customer Service Survey (CCSS) results
  • organization, cleanliness and visual appeal
  • safety
  • accountability
  • recycling and solid waste diversion
  • photo portfolio
  • display contests
  • special events
  • organization, cleanliness and visual appeal

“It’s an honor to announce awards like these because we cannot understate the service our people render to the greatest customers in the world,” said Moore. “On behalf of the customers you serve, ‘Congratulations on a job well done.'”

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.