Ms. Marilyn Iverson
Director
Veterans Canteen Service

Leadership philosophy is  “to maintain absolute integrity, know your stuff, declare your vision, show uncommon commitment, expect positive results, take care of your people, and stand out in the front.”

Ms. Iverson was appointed as the Director, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) on January 7, 2007. Her new assignment encompasses operational direction and leadership of more than 3000 VCS associates servicing 172 canteen locations in the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers across the United States.

With over 35 years of service, Ms. Iverson retired as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) headquartered in Dallas, Texas in October 2006. As the COO, she lead the Military Exchange Service, with annual sales in excess of 8 billion dollars, more than 48,000 associates, serving over 12 million military customers in Europe, Pacific, and throughout the United States. Most notable corporate results during her tenure include the successful execution of a world-wide Corporate Balance Scorecard; continual sales and earnings growth; Inventory reduction and efficiencies through a refined supply chain; and unparalleled expansion of military contingency operations in support of Bosnia and Kosovo; Operation Enduring Freedom; and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Executive Leadership positions since include Vice President of Specialty Stores, Senior Vice President of the Main Stores Strategic Business Group, Senior Vice President of the Sales Directorate, Senior Vice President of the Central Region, Senior Vice President of the AAFES-Europe Region and Senior Vice President of the Eastern Region.

Her staff perspective includes a collective 10 years experience as a Retail Buyer, the Branch Chief of Corporate Plans Directorate, Assistant Chief of Merchandising in the Sales Directorate, and Chief of Inventory Control, AAFES.

Ms. Iverson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University and an MBA from Golden Gate University. She has completed Executive/Senior Leadership Programs at Harvard, Darden, Texas A&M University, and Kenan-Flagler at Raleigh Durham. Her Leadership philosophy is “to maintain absolute Integrity, know your stuff, declare your vision, show uncommon commitment, expect positive results, take care of your people, and stand out in the front.”

Mr. Joseph (Ray) Tober
Chief Operating Officer
Veterans Canteen Service

“It is my honor to lead and provide the highest level of service and quality to America’s Heroes, the Veterans of the U.S. Armed forces and those who provide for their care. Our goal is to be an efficient and innovative customer driven organization, delivering exceptional services and value by a friendly and enthusiastic team of Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) associates.” - Joseph R. Tober

Mr. Joseph (Ray) Tober renders operations and customer service oversight of canteen operations across the country. Using a dedicated and professional corps of Central Office professional and administrative support staff, Mr. Tober ensures that canteen operations and programs are operated in accordance with national standards and policies. He is responsible for determining that these programs are designed to provide the highest level of services to Veteran patients and their caregivers throughout the Veterans Health Administration.

Mr. Tober joined the VCS family in 1992. He was formerly with the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Defense serving in Munich and Frankfurt, Germany. Since 1998, he has served as the Associate Director of Resources and Support for the VCS Central Office (VCSCO). His responsibilities included internal audit functions, internal security, human resources, VCS University, VCSCO administration and policy development, and balanced scorecard/strategic planning. He has 32 years of federal service, nine of which include military service with the United States Army.

As the leader of the VCS strategic business initiatives, he has been directly engaged in leading operating changes designed to enhance internal efficiencies, improve the supply chain process, focus on new business opportunities to expand services, drive new customer service initiatives, develop staff, introducing new programs, becoming an employer of choice, and aggressively moving VCS toward a strategically balanced, goal oriented, and metric measured organization.

Ray Tober has a degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland and a Masters Degree in Human Resources Development from Webster University, St. Louis, Mo. He is a 2004 graduate of the Federal Executive Institute, graduate of Leadership VA Class of 2001, and completed the Health Care Leadership Institute in 2000.