For many leaders and staff members of ACC, supporting the organization’s mission of serving older adults is more than just a job, but an opportunity to develop fulfilling careers and find enrichment in enhancing and preserving the quality of life for the community’s seniors and their families.
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Tony Waterford is one such person at ACC who strives to go above and beyond his duties to represent and support the organization’s mission and vision. Leading ACC’s Human Resources Department, Waterford describes his position as one that allows him to “serve as a strategic partner adept at leading change in support of a growing and changing company and be a leader and champion for a healthy, safe, and engaged workforce.”
Tony discusses a leadership tool with Chia Moua and David Lin
Although his day-to-day job duties keep him busy, Waterford finds the time to show his commitment to the community’s seniors in a variety of ways. With a talent and interest in singing and dancing, Waterford often performs at major ACC events like the Big Day of Giving party every May, and emcees the annual Care Center Fundraiser in September. At these events, he enjoys singing hits from a variety of genres that include country, disco, and pop. Tony also hosts ACC’s annual staff holiday party, and gives concerts for ACC Care Center residents and visitors every month.
“Having the opportunity to perform at Care Center concerts and ACC fundraising events is a ‘bonus’ for me,” he said. “When I was a child, my three siblings and I dreamed of becoming professional entertainers. While my parents supported our dreams, they emphasized the importance of getting a good education, and I was ultimately groomed to become an HR professional and entertainer. Their advice paid off!”
Originally from Chicago, Waterford’s early beginnings include an interest in aviation, and he became a cadet in the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. However, over time, he developed a new found passion for community health and public administration, which led him to complete a Masters of Arts degree in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University and go on to a fulfilling career in human resources.
Now approaching his ninth year at ACC, Waterford has seen how much the organization has changed over the last decade, and why a strong team of leadership, staff, and volunteers is important to its success. “I am amazed and excited about the continued growth of ACC and Meals on Wheels by ACC (MoW),” he said. “I am very fortunate to be part of an organization that embraces change, champions diversity, and celebrates success.”
Tony and Maeley Tom put on a Christmas show with special guest Darrick lam at ACC Care Center last December
According to Waterford, the combined workforce of ACC and MoW has grown over 50 percent since 2010, and will continue to grow as ACC prepares for its grand opening of ACC Maple Tree Village, an assisted living and memory care center slated to open later this year.
With this projected growth, Waterford will continue to work towards building and supporting a workforce that truly desires to enhance the quality of life for seniors and their caregivers and families. “To serve our community and have an impact on the quality of life of seniors is precious,” he said. “I think that many of our employees and volunteers have chosen careers (not jobs) at ACC and MoW, and as Confucius says, ‘Choose a job that you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.’ That says it all for me.”
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