Amesbury, Duncan, Menard named ‘Employees of the Year’

Capt. Chad Menard, second from left, is “Firefighter of the Year” in Madison Fire & Rescue Department.
RECORD PHOTOS/GREGG L. PARKER

MADISON – For the 15th year, Rotary Club of Madison presented “Employee of the Year” commendation awards to three individuals who work for the City of Madison.

On May 9 at City Council meeting, Rotarian Debbie Overcash presented awards to Capt. Chad Menard, Madison Fire and Rescue Department; Officer Teresa Taylor-Duncan, Madison Police Department; and Crew Chief David Amesbury, Madison Public Works Department.

Menard has worked as a Madison firefighter since 2007. He completed paramedic training, was promoted to driver in 2009 and to captain in 2016. His superiors noted Menard’s contagious energy, positive attitude and his encouragement to co-workers to work to be the best they can be.

Menard earned an associate’s degree from Columbia Southern University and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fire services administration. He was both Madison’s and the state’s first firefighter to achieve professional credentials for “Fire Officer” from the Commission on Professional Credentialing.

Menard and his dog, Sampson, live in Rogersville. Menard is active with Rogersville Volunteer Fire Department.

Officer Teresa Taylor-Duncan, better known as ‘TD,’ is “Police Employee of the Year.” Since her hiring in 2012, she has spent most of her patrol assignment on second shift.

In 2014, Duncan was selected for the Street Crimes Unit. Her managers said she has made an impact in controlling vice and narcotics with 66 arrests.

Duncan identified and arrested ‘smurfers,’ who purchase pseudoephedrine-based products used in manufacturing methamphetamine. Her work led to a decrease in meth labs in the city.

Recently, Duncan investigated distribution of heroin from a residence with children. These offenders were arrested, but the children removed from this environment.

Amesbury has worked for the city for 15 years. He helped with start-up of the traffic signal for I-565/County Line Road interchange. Daily, he confirms correct operation of school and traffic signals and signage.

In the DOT field, Amesbury has kept abreast of the job’s technical aspects with training for field electrician, sign retroflectivity and controller programming. He strives to find cost-efficient solutions.

Away from work, Amesbury enjoys deer hunting, time on the lake and taking care of his family.