Altus Air Force Base News

 

Club Altus has a new manager!

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla --  Marlene Diaz is the new manager at Club Altus on Altus Air Force Base, and boy, does she have plans!

"I would like folks to look forward to many changes at the club to include new menus in the dining room as well catering options. (Also,) new programming for the community such as "Girls Night Out' coming in March of 2011, the re-start of bingo, Club Millennial (for 18-21 year olds) UFC Fight program, Wing Fridays, Football Frenzy, Texas Hold'em tournaments, comedy chows, a fine dining program and much, much more," said Diaz.

Diaz comes to Altus from Sheppard AFB, Texas. Before that, she served as club manager at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base where she was named Guantanamo Bay Naval Base's own Iron Chef by Food Network's Guy Fieri.

"I have worked at top New York Venues such as "Windows on the World," "Tavern on the Green" & "Russian Tea Room." I continue my education keeping myself competitive and I completed my certification for "Chef de Cuisine" through the American Culinary Federation demonstrating skill, knowledge and professionalism in the food service industry," she said.

In a recent focus group held to identify interests of club members and opportunities to grow, Diaz listened to the voice of the customer.

"If you can make it appealing to the family... there's money to be made there. We've been at war for 15-20 years and people are gone all the time. I quit coming to the club because I was away from my family enough. I just wanted to be home with family. If you can make that happen here..." said one focus group member.

"Sunday brunch is great, I love the lunch here. The staff here is incredible. I've never had a bad experience inside the club. It's just I don't see the value, and because of that, it's kind of hard for me to tell that Airman... you need to be club member, but you're not going to get anything out of it except a dollar off of lunch," said another attendee.

"Bottom line, I think it's always a matter of marketing, a matter of advertising, of having things that are interesting," was the opinion of another.

One of the first things Diaz and the 97th Force Support Squadron have done is to open a Facebook page for "Altus AFB FSS." Much like the "97 AMW - Altus AFB" official base Facebook page, the FSS page offers information from the Club and other Force Support functions. The FSS page also provides special offers and discounts. Coming soon, a Facebook page specifically for Club Altus.

"I think that the Facebook page is key to ensuring that we include everyone in what is available to them in the FSS and in the club in particular. In my opinion, Facebook has become the bulletin board, email, phone book, newspaper and sales paper for the new generation. To not utilize it is an inherent step backward in any most endeavor that you want to carry forward," said Maj. Calvin Daniels, 97th Force Support Squadron commander.

"I think that Marlene is just the shot in the arm that the club needs. She's experienced and literally brimming with new ideas for Club Altus. She's really concerned about improving the customer experience here at Club Altus and the customers will appreciate having her at the helm. I like her plans to make Club Altus and its programming much more dynamic," said Maj. Daniels.

To reach Diaz, call 481-6262. For more information about the 97th FSS and the Club, visit http://altusfss.com/dining-clubs/club-altus/.

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