Tom Kolstad

 

Vice President, Operations Pacific

 

Thomas Kolstad is the son of a former 30-year career Air Force Officer and grew up enjoying the opportunities of living in various locations in the U.S. as well as South America and England. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1974.

Mr. Kolstad began his career with the Navy Exchange System in 1974 and enjoyed a successful career supporting the troops and their families through the Navy Exchange Retail and Service Operations as:

 
  • Food Service Manager, NAS Patuxent River, Md. (1974)
  • Food & Beverage Manager, Navy Exchange Operations, Puerto Rico (1976)
  • Food & Beverage Manager, Navy Exchange Operations, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (1980)
  • Southeastern Regional Navy Exchange Food Service Manager, NAS Jacksonville, Fla. (1983)
  • Worldwide Navy Exchange Food Service, Beverage & Vending Branch Manager, NY (1985)
  • Worldwide Deputy Director of Navy Exchange Retail & Services Operations, NY (1987)
  • Navy Exchange Senior Executive Manager, Marianas Islands, Guam (2000)
  • Navy Exchange Senior Executive Manager, District Manager, Midwest District, Great Lakes, Illinois (2003)
 

While serving as a Navy Exchange Executive, he was on the personal staff of:

 
  • COMNAVMARIANAS
  • COMNTC
  • COMNEXCOM
 

Mr. Kolstad received numerous Bingham Awards from the Navy Exchange System for financial and operational “Best in Class” Navy Exchange Operations while directing all operations of Navy Exchange, Guam, and Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill.

While leading the Navy Exchange Operations on Guam, he was the recipient of the US Navy Civilian Distinguished Meritorious Service Award for his leadership and support role to the U.S. armed forces during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Prior to being selected as the vice president of USO Pacific Operations, Kolstad was Director of Retail Store Operations, Operational Cost Efficiencies for a $7.0B regional supermarket. His responsibilities included directing cost-saving initiatives for more than $700M of annual operational expenses.