Employee Ownership Month: Jerry Staton

As we celebrate Employee Ownership Month this October, we are proud to highlight colleagues who have served on the ACRT Services Board of Directors. At ACRT Services, our independence as a 100% employee-owned company empowers every employee-owner to share in our success and play a role in shaping our future. This commitment reflects our mission: to engage the best people and make them better to foster resiliency, environmental stewardship, compliance, stakeholder partnerships, and safer communities. Those who step up to Board service embody the ownership, leadership, and collaboration that drive our culture forward.

Jerry Staton, Senior Operations Manager, ACRT

What inspired you to run for a seat on the ACRT Services Board of Directors?

Several reasons. I personally wanted to see how our company was run from the top down. My background is in Forestry and Wildlife and not business but as I have moved up, I have had to self-learn and become interested more in the business side. When I first became an operations manager, I was forced to learn due to budgeting and making sure my projects were running efficiently. I quickly learned I had an interest in learning all the business side of ACRT. What better way than to sit on the board. Another reason was to broaden my thought process. I have been on the operations side of ACRT for close to a decade and sitting on the board gave me a broader knowledge of the strategic side. Lastly, I am very passionate about our team in the field as I started there. I took great pride in being our  “voice from the field.”

What surprised you about board service — and what did you find most rewarding?

Our board is comprised of some incredibly intelligent members, both inside and outside of ACRT. It is hard to express how much I learned by just sitting and listening to the questions, debates and discussions had. I was also surprised at how often my opinion was asked. I genuinely felt my opinion was wanted and listened to. Not so much of a surprise but after my tenure, I was reassured that ACRT is a company that cares about its employees and works very hard to take care of them while still operating a profitable business.

Can you describe what it felt like to sit at the same table as company leaders and external advisors?

At first, it was a little overwhelming. I was still somewhat new as an operations manager and knew I was sitting in the room where everyone had way more business acumen than I had. That feeling quickly went away as I got to know the board members through board dinners and subcommittee meetings. I took a lot of mental notes, especially on the strategic side. One of the biggest takeaways was from one external board member. She did a great job of asking tough devil’s advocate” type questions, even if she supported the decision.

How does being part of a 100% employee-owned, independent company shape the way you work and think — even now, after your board service?

It is extremely important to me. It motivates me to work hard, support our team, and drive growth. Not because some owner can buy a new vacation home, but because that return comes back to all of us. Every employee benefits from ACRT growing and being profitable.

If you had to describe your board experience in three words, what would they be?

The best decision.

People like Jerry are the key to our success at ACRT. If you want to start a career at a company that values its people, we might be the right fit for you.