Center for Leadership Development honors Enoch Edusei for outstanding achievements
Contact:
Beth King, APR, Media Relations Manager
(317) 285-4168 or beth.king@oneamerica.com
For Immediate Release:
Indianapolis (March 9, 2010) – The Center for Leadership Development has honored AUL Retirement Services Vice President of Administration Enoch Edusei with its Human Achievement Award. An annual honor, the award recognizes individuals who have personally achieved in spite of unusual barriers or impairments.
Edusei came to the United States in 1979 for college from Ghana on an academic scholarship. The son of an Ashanti tribal King and the fifth oldest among nine siblings, Edusei arrived in New York with $50 in his pocket and dressed in traditional African clothing. Before connecting in Boston and Portland, Maine and after eating only a salad to conserve money, Edusei asked an airport worker for the quickest route to Waterville, Maine. He was told to take a bus, but opted for a cab instead, amid fears his academic building would be closed if he had to make several stops. After paying the tolls and fare, Edusei arrived on campus well after the academic building had closed. Sleeping on just mattress springs, he met with his advisor the following morning who thought his wardrobe was pajamas and asked him if he would like to change clothes. This was Edusei's introduction to American culture -- and the start of something good.
During the next four years, Edusei excelled in his studies, played soccer for Colby and was part of the Division III winning team in 1979. Following graduation in 1984, Edusei launched a successful career in financial services with positions in actuary, employee benefits and retirement services at such groups as CIGNA, Fidelity and JP Morgan. He joined OneAmerica in 2006 and is known as a shining star throughout the Enterprise because of his excellent project management, use of metrics to maximize efficiencies and willingness to be equal parts friend, mentor and professional.
“Enoch is responsive, approachable and has a passion for the business and for doing the right thing,” said Bill Yoerger, senior vice president of AUL Retirement Services. “In the three years since he's been at OneAmerica, he's changed our culture, improved communication and contributed to a higher level of employee trust. We are thrilled for him to be recognized for his accomplishments.”
Upon Edusei’s arrival, there were areas that lacked significant employee engagement. Realizing that employees had great minds and that the best ideas came from those doing the work, Edusei and his team developed the "Idea Incubator," an ongoing database of ideas that starts with knowing the issues, how to form groups, quantify costs, illicit and impact notable change before finally providing incentives . Edusei also reduced operating cost by $130,000 in 2009 and has employed metrics that are used to determine merit increases and enhance performance, while maximizing efficiencies.
Independently, Edusei supports the Wheeler Mission and the Indiana State Trooper's Association. Additionally, he developed a diversity program for Zionsville-Boone County Community Schools and has served various community groups as a featured speaker about Ghana. He believes in helping minorities recognize their fullest potential through guidance, mentoring and the development of an after school enrichment program. Following retirement, Edusei hopes to start a school in Ghana for disadvantaged children. Most notably, when Edusei’s younger sister and her unborn child died during her seventh month of pregnancy from organ failure in 1997, he stepped up, adopted her three children and brought them to the United States to mitigate the loss for his family in Ghana and to enable better lives with more potential for his three daughters.
“This is not only about giving back and understanding the importance of charity and family, but also something one should do as a way of further understanding how to be brought back to earth with a different mindset,” Edusei said. “I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can understand this and be able to have a profound impact in the lives of others.”
About AUL Retirement Services
American United Life Insurance Company® (AUL) is the founding member of OneAmerica® and offers a wide range of products and services for retirement plans of individuals and employers. As a leader in the retirement services industry, AUL provides local service through a national network of experienced professionals focusing on the 401(k), 403(b) and 457 markets.
About OneAmerica
OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc., is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. The companies of OneAmerica® can trace their solid foundations back more than 130 years in the insurance and financial services marketplace.
OneAmerica’s nationwide network of companies offers a variety of products to serve the financial needs of their policyholders and other clients. These products include retirement plan products and services; individual life insurance, annuities, long-term care solutions and employee benefits. The goal of OneAmerica is to blend the strengths of each company to achieve greater collective results.
The products of the OneAmerica companies are distributed through a network of employees, agents, brokers and other distribution sources that are committed to increasing value to our policyholders by helping them plan to meet their financial goals.
We deliver on our promises when customers need us most.
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