Meet Debra, Outbound Planning Team Leader & U.S. Air Force Veteran

In celebration of National Veterans and Military Families Month, we're excited to introduce Debra, Outbound Planning Team Leader and United States Air Force Veteran. Debra served on active duty for more than four years, and continued to serve as a military spouse for another 32 years. Thank you, Debra, for your incredible service and sacrifice!

Get to know more about Debra.

What is your job title? And what do you love most about your job and working for Giant Eagle?

I’m an Outbound Planning Team Leader. I also help with Wholesale Customer Service. One part of my job that I love is transportation. I enjoy helping our store locations when they need a trailer dropped and taking care of the fueling and maintenance when needed. I have gotten to know a lot of store leaders, grocery leaders, and receivers over the years.

What branch of the military did you serve in? How long did you serve?

I was active duty in the United States Air Force for four years.

Please provide a brief description of your time in the military.

I started as an Officer Performance Report/Airmen Performance Report Manager working in the CBPO and ended as a Unit Orderly Room Manager.

I was responsible for a variety of squadron programs in support of about 100 assigned military personnel, some of which included Basic Allowance for Subsistence, leave accounting, strength accounting, performance reports, weight management, dependent care, decorations program… really anything my assigned personnel needed.

What made you think of Giant Eagle as a possible place of employment?

When our youngest graduated high school, I wanted to go back to working full time and felt Giant Eagle would be a great place to use my skill set.

Do you actively participate in any of our Business Resource Groups?

I’m involved in our Veterans Business Resource Group. This group has helped me make connections with other prior service Team Members and the various opportunities this group makes available. One of which, I was able to listen to Bart Womack talk about an opportunity to go back to college and use my credits from the military and the skills learned there.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment would have to be my family, our children, and 35 years together. My husband and I met on active duty and have been together since we were 19 years old. I’m proud of 36 years of military service, four as active duty and then as a military wife raising two children, while my husband was deployed all around the world.

What are some interesting hobbies or talents that most people may not know about you?

I love to craft. I refurbish old furniture and make a lot of holiday crafts from old wood and wine bottles. My husband and I love to travel and go antiquing. We have found our retirement job!
Most people probably don’t know that I ran a Christian Preschool for about 14 years prior to coming to Giant Eagle.

Check Out Opportunities to Join the Team

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National Veterans and Military Families Month at Giant Eagle

This November, we celebrate both National Veterans and Military Families Month and Veterans Day (Nov. 11). It is a time to honor and thank current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have paid tribute to our country through the highest acts of service. We also recognize the families and loved ones of our service members for the sacrifices they have made in support of our Nation’s heroes. We owe our gratitude, respect, and freedom to these members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy for the tremendous sacrifices they and their families have made on the battlefield and at home.

Giant Eagle is privileged to have hundreds of Veteran Team Members working within our stores, Retail Support Centers (RSC), and offices. Our Veteran Team Members continue to serve their local communities by helping Giant Eagle provide life’s essentials so that our neighbors have the opportunity to thrive.