May 13, 2005 (Washington, DC) – Based on his unmatched commitment to employee ownership, and his tremendous efforts on behalf of The ESOP Association, Mr. Richard E. Duffy has been awarded The ESOP Association’s Life Service Award, which is the Association’s highest honor. The Life Service Award has been presented only eight times in the Association’s 28 year history. The ESOP Association is the national trade association for companies with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and the leading voice in America for employee ownership
As an employee of the former Polaroid Company, his work for The ESOP Association and employee ownership includes the following: Duff was instrumental in the establishment of the Association’s award winning New England Chapter. Volunteering his time in the early 90s, he, along with his New England colleague, Charles R. Edmunson, now deceased, facilitated the development of the Association’s first Strategic Plan. He and Charles drafted the Association’s Vision statement, which has inspired employee ownership advocates all over the world. He was the second President of the New England Chapter and the second Chair of the Association’s State and Regional Chapter Council, the governing body for the Association’s Chapters. As Chair of the State and Regional Chapter Council, Duff served two years as a member of the Association’s Board of Directors. These highlights lead up to his instrumental role in helping found the Employee Ownership Foundation, and his service on numerous special task forces.
In 1997, Duff retired from Polaroid, and the Association quickly contracted with him to be the Association’s Chapter Development Officer. In this role he has not only consulted with all Chapters in helping develop excellent programs but he has personally given many programs and presentations for the Chapters focused on the most important factor in the ESOP world – the employee owner.
“Time passes. Many great and visionary men and woman have dedicated time and energy to the ESOP cause but the cycles of life have resulted in many no longer being in circumstances where helping is still possible. Duff is a constant. As such, his work is unparalleled in its effectiveness and in being a partner in helping America translate the Vision we all hold so dearly,” said J. Michael Keeling, President of The ESOP Association.
Founded in 1978, The ESOP Association represents over 1,300 ESOP companies and 750,000 employee owners who believe that employee ownership will improve American competitiveness, increase productivity through greater employee participation and strengthen our free enterprise economy.