Our primary hosts for the day were members of the USAA-VFW Affinity team, lead by Mr Joe Torres out of their Phoenix office. Many of you have met Joe at our national conventions. VFW and USAA have just completed ten years of partnership in helping veterans and after this visit it was clear we all want another ten years. As a pointed showing of their interest in the VFW, the new CEO, Mr Wayne Peacock, and the Executive Vice President joined us for lunch to talk issues over an excellent meal. When I say "new" CEO, he was officially taking that title the day after we had our lunch. As an aside, I sat next to him at the Army-Navy game dinner a few weeks ago before he got the promotion. Very nice man and I hope to meet him again.
After entering the park-like setting and getting our visitor badges [security is paramount] we started the tour. They had a mock up of the facility and I think you will be able to see just how large this place is. After parking in the next county and walking in, Mama and I can assure you it is a large facility. Notice the pictures at the end and how the main walk areas and work areas on the multiple floors look like a shopping mall. Rumor has it, our guide was GREAT, that the complex was built that way because shopping malls were all the rage and if the business failed they could sell it to any company interested in starting a mall.
We toured the center walkways quite a bit and the words integrity, honesty, excellence, and courage just resound from all of the exhibits. When USAA tells you it cares about veterans and America you can believe it. The walking tour was really something to see. We then had separate briefings on different aspects of the business as well as a great inside look at their Audio Visual production facility. It's not a kid with an 8mm projector! The system they have rivals that of any network television station and they use that capability for their commercial work as well as in house training and messaging. I was really enamored with the Cyber Security briefings. Obviously I can't go into details but if you are a USAA member or thinking about becoming one, they have got you covered, hands down. Their center rivaled anything I saw or worked on when I was an attorney working cyber projects for the Department of Defense.
At the end of the long day we met again to come together on our take-aways and plan a loose way ahead. VFW is already tweaking our way of handling interaction with USAA and they are doing the same. Yes, progress was made that quickly. It's easy when both sides respect each other and want to get to yes in an efficient way. USAA is the real deal and they are out there working for you every day. They truly live their core values and it certainly is all about taking care of their members.
The leadership team of USAA and the VFW. This photo shows the feeling of mutual cooperation into the future. It's rare for all three national line officers to be at an event like this. It shows that we know this is critical.
A nice pathway leading to the main entrance
This complex truly is huge...buildings shown are not actual size!
This Elcar was owned by a founder of USAA and in 1922 it was the first car insured at a premium of $114.77. At this time in America cars were considered luxury items and he was protecting a significant financial investment. It is only speculation that on the 100th anniversary of USAA they are going to start the car and drive it around the building.
The IT Kiosk. Have a problem with your work phone or computer? Come here and they will fix it or give you a new one on the spot. No more trouble tickets, no more long waiting. Time is money and they wring each minute of the day to do the best for their members.
The traditional office doesn't exist at USAA HQ. There are multiple workstations and collaboration stations throughout the building. The yellow pod is a soundproof room that anyone can pop into to do work at any time. Innovation!
Motivational kiosks abound in the main walkways all over the building.
USAA loves the military, veterans, and their families. These electronic displays are all over, showcasing USAA employees who were also military members. For non-veteran employees, they put up information about veteran family members.
2019 Award for World's Most Ethical Company. I'll leave you with that!
