At Acadian’s annual company meeting, Bayou Region Operations Supervisor Edward Smith was recognized as the 2017 ESOP Employee-Owner of the Year. Acadian’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) gives employees the opportunity to own private stock in the company. The ESOP Employee of the Year award is given annually to an Acadian employee-owner who best exemplifies and promotes employee-ownership within the company.
Smith was presented with his award by Acadian’s ESOP Committee Chairperson, Harry Murphy.
A native of Houma, Louisiana, Smith has been with Acadian for 20 years. After receiving his EMT and paramedic certifications from South Central Louisiana Technical College, Smith worked his way up in Acadian from medic to field supervisor and finally to operations supervisor. He has also served on the ESOP Committee since 2000 and served as chairperson in 2001.
“Ed continues to be a tireless advocate for employee ownership and a helpful asset for new committee members,” says Murphy.
In addition to his Acadian duties, Smith is the chairman for the St. Mary Parish 911 Communication District and a death scene investigator for the St. Mary Parish Coroner’s Office. He volunteers with Relay for Life of Terrebonne and also serves on the National Relay Online Leadership Team.
Acadian instituted the Employee Stock Ownership Plan in 1993. Acadian sets up a trust fund for qualifying employees and contributes new shares of its own stock or cash to buy existing shares. Acadian employees currently own 80% of the company stock.
Since 1971, Acadian has been dedicated to providing the highest level of emergency medical care and transportation possible. The company has expanded to include a diverse suite of services designed to offer the very best support and education in health, safety, and transportation.
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