Burns announces move to new government position; Flannery named acting executive director of Sales, Marketing, Logistics

FORT LEE, Va. - Christopher "Chris" T. Burns, executive director of the Marketing, Sales and Logistics Group and a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES), will be leaving the Defense Commissary Agency in December. He has accepted a senior vice president of operations position at the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM), announced DeCA Director and CEO Bill Moore.

Jim Flannery, the agency's chief transformation officer (CTO) since Sept. 30, 2020, was named acting executive director of Marketing, Sales and Logistics. DeCA will recruit Burns' permanent replacement in accordance with DOD policy pertaining to SES positions.

In his announcement, Moore thanked Burns for his service.

"Chris decided to pursue another opportunity in accordance with his career goals, and we appreciate his dedicated leadership and expertise during his tenure at DeCA," Moore said. "He led several critical aspects of DeCA's mission, along with two of our major transformation lines of effort. We wish him all the best in his next assignment."

Burns has served since November 2019 as executive director of the then DeCA Sales, Marketing and Policy Group, which was later reconstituted as the Sales, Marketing and Logistics Group. In this position, he directed the sales, marketing and logistics directorates with missions that directly impact the agency's annual sales of nearly $5 billion.

Before becoming a permanent career SES, Burns served as headquarters chief of staff from June to November of 2019. He managed the daily operations and interrelations of the DeCA headquarters staff, serving as the principal business management advisor to the agency's chief operating officer and the director.

From January 2016 to June 2019, he was the provisional executive director of business transformation, a limited term SES position. In this position he was responsible for planning, evaluating and implementing business efficiencies that led to changes in DeCA's business model, which included an improved market basket savings method, introduction of private label and variable pricing, and category performance improvement.

Since entering federal service in 1984, Burns has served in a variety of assignments within the commissary system, including several as a store director along with many other leadership positions at region, headquarters levels and an assignment in the Defense Department.

In announcing Flannery as acting executive director of Marketing, Sales and Logistics, Moore noted his vast experience in the grocery industry, to include over 36 years at Proctor & Gamble, followed by six years as the executive vice president of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. His experience and energy are vital to DeCA's evolution to a modernized business model that employs variable pricing, private label and improved category performance.

"For more than a year we've benefitted from Jim's extensive background as an industry supplier. He always brings a business perspective we need to help us improve how we deliver this vital commissary benefit to our patrons. In addition to this interim role, he will still perform his role as DeCA's Chief Transformation Officer, implementing innovative techniques and strategies to help us take advantage of industry and consumer shopping trends." Moore said.

Click here to read Flannery's full biography.

-DeCA-

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.

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