#IAMIMSC: Jim Krueger Jr.
Duty title and unit: Air Force Food and Beverage Policy, Procedures and Strategic Initiatives Chief, Air Force Services Center, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
Primary duty responsibilities: Working and posturing Air Force Food & Beverage to continue to be the Department of Defense leader in delivering, sustaining and modernizing for our future; the absolute best affordable food, beverage solutions and systems our customers seek.
What’s the best part of your job?
Innovation; dreaming, planning and programming solutions for our customers around the globe!
Why are you and your job important to the Air Force and AFMC?
The mission of AFMC and AFIMSC is to provide innovative and direct support on an enterprise level, where practical, to optimize our wartime mission each day. In my roll of providing the absolute best food and beverage solutions, my job is to incorporate facilities modernization, long-range planning, day-to-day operational logistics, and the latest industry innovation to enhance our customers’ experiences each meal. I hope these efforts give our customers the best the Air Force can provide in a dining experience. While just food and beverage, I feel it directly impacts readiness. Most customers don’t recall quickly the best meal they had, but almost instantaneously they’ll remember the worst. We strive to be the best each day in Air Force Food and Beverage.
What’s a recent project that gave you a great sense of accomplishment?
I’m proud of multiple projects, from small to large, including the Halvorsen Hall Dining Facility renovation at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, to the reopening of the renovated Space Force Beachcomber Dining Facility at Vandenberg AFB, California, on Aug. 7 and converting them to our Food 2.0 latest model.
Any claims to fame?
I’m an industry volunteer, serving as a National Restaurant Association Kitchen Innovation (NRA-KI) volunteer judge for more than 10 years. It allows me personally to see the latest in Food and Beverage industry innovation, allowing us to integrate and fast-track the latest and greatest industry has to offer where applicable into our day-to-day operations. I’m also the past president of the International Military Community Executives Association.
Do you follow any mantra?
Service before self has always been my true mantra. A “team” unites us all. Thinking “I” (about yourself) simply concentrates on you, not the team!
Which AFIMSC value do you identify with the most and why?
Clearly innovation. It’s way more than a trend. While I hear often, “help us get to yes,” it’s dangerous not to know the “why” first.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
In my opinion, the concept for Air Force to establish the Air Force and Installation Mission Support Center, now complete, was long overdue. Everyone within working toward complex, enterprise solutions surely is best for our great Air Force!