From Cashier to Director: Fort Buchanan Commissary Leader Comes Home
For Quiñones Valentín, a Toa Baja native, the new role represents more than a promotion. It is the latest chapter in a career that began in 2006 at the same commissary she now leads.
After about 11 years at Fort Buchanan, she accepted assignments at commissaries across the United States, gaining experience at installations in Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, California, Alabama and Texas. Each assignment expanded her understanding of commissary operations and exposed her to different approaches to customer service and management.
Now, she is applying those lessons in Puerto Rico.
“My goal is for every customer and every employee to feel heard and know that their needs matter,” Quiñones Valentín said.
Since assuming the position during Labor Day week, she has moved quickly to make practical changes. She established a suggestion box for customers and employees and is developing a QR code-based system to make providing feedback easier.
“I understand the importance of knowing our community and its needs,” she said.
Quiñones Valentín has also focused on improving day-to-day operations. The commissary added a handyman to handle routine repairs, helping address minor maintenance issues more quickly while reducing reliance on outside support.
Another priority is expanding locally sourced products. Quiñones Valentín said the commissary is working to increase access to products distributed from Puerto Rico, giving shoppers more choices and potentially more competitive options.
The commissary is also preparing to install electronic shelf labels, allowing prices to be updated automatically while reducing paper use and the time employees spend replacing price tags.
In addition, Fort Buchanan is participating in a pilot program that allows authorized civilian customers to shop at the commissary, expanding access to its services.
“It is convenient for us, convenient for the employees and convenient for the customers,” Quiñones Valentín said.
Her return to Fort Buchanan brings her career full circle — from serving customers at the register to leading the organization responsible for serving them.
For Quiñones Valentín, the mission remains simple: take care of people, improve the shopping experience and ensure the commissary continues to meet the needs of the community she once served as a cashier and now serves as its director.
Fort Buchanan supports approximately 15,000 military personnel, including active-duty Soldiers, Army Reserve, Puerto Rico National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve and Navy Reserve members. The installation’s mission is to enable readiness and facilitate the deployment of forces anytime, anywhere.
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