Michael P. Howard

Chief Operating Officer, Army and Air Force Exchange Service

Michael P. Howard Profile

The Chief Operating Officer

The Chief Operating Officer helps the Director/CEO direct the overall operation of the Exchange. The Chief Operating Officer supervises those staff elements (Operations Group) that directly support retail and service activities in the field.

Michael Howard was born in St Louis, Missouri in 1954 and graduated from high school in Aurora, Colorado, in 1972. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance in 1976. He has also been an attendee of the Executive Continuing Education Programs at the University of Chicago and at Darden University.

Mr. Howard attended the University of Colorado, majoring in Accounting and in 1976 was award a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.  Mr. Howard continued his education, at Texas Womans University, majoring in Business Administration, and was awarded a Master of Business Administration in May 2008.

Mr. Howard began his career as a part-time worker at Lowry AFB Exchange, Denver, Colo. in 1972. After graduating college he served as a Supervisory Accounting Technician for Central Area; Operations Manager at McChord AFB, Wash.; then Sales and Merchandise Manager at McChord; followed by Sales and Merchandise Manager duties at the Hanau Exchange Frankfurt, Germany. Next he was promoted to Assistant Main Store Manager at the Frankfurt Exchange. Mr. Howard became the Main Store Manager at March AFB, Calif.; then Main Store Manager at McChord AFB; General Manager in Colo. Springs, CO; and Area Manager for the Columbia Area.

Mr. Howard came to the Exchange Headquarters in 2003 as Vice President of Real Estate; later he was the Project Retek Director. He served as the Chief Information Officer; the Chief Financial Officer; and he became the Chief Operating Officer in 2006.

Mr. Howard has been the recipient of ten Superior Accomplishment Awards.