HAGERSTOWN, MD. – The Chamber of Washington County announces its first-ever Legacy Award recipient: Adna “Ad” Fulton, who grew AC&T into what it is today.

AC&T offers many different services in the Tri-State area, including heating fuel, propane, convenience stores, portable toilets, mobile storage, petroleum products, liquid waste handling, transport services, plus heating and cooling.

Fulton has enjoyed giving back to his community over the years, supporting organizations such as Saint James School, United Way of Washington County, volunteer fire departments, The Maryland Theatre, Mason-Dixon Council of the Boy Scouts of America, American Cancer Society, Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Washington County Agricultural Education Center, Benevola United Methodist Church, Breast Cancer Awareness – Cumberland Valley, and HCC. The Fulton family is known for helping to solve problems within the community.

Fulton previously sat on the board of trustees at Saint James School, which named their Barbara J. Fulton Academic Building after his wife. At the Washington County Agricultural Education Center, one of the buildings is the AC&T Show Arena. The AC&T Student Center at HCC was named after the company in honor of the Fulton Family generously funding scholarships for HCC students.

Fulton, a native of Hagerstown, was raised by his mother, Irene Brewer Fulton, after his father A.J. passed away when he was two years old. Fulton’s mother instilled a hard-working mindset in her children, as they raised chickens and truck farmed. Fulton went to school in Hagerstown and considered himself an average student, since he was more interested in working to make money, getting his first truck at 15.

Fulton began working for Don Ardinger in 1956. Ardinger founded AC&T with Phil Castle and Dutch Tedrick, with Fulton joining them two months later as a business partner. Eventually, Fulton and Ardinger were the only two owners, until 1986 when Fulton bought Ardinger’s share of the business.

As Fulton ran his company, he also worked to raise his three sons, Brad, Steve and Mark Fulton. He also raised beef cattle with his wife, Barbara Fulton, who loved to cook and fine-tuned the beloved home-cooked menu offered at the AC&T convenience stores. Barbara sadly passed away from breast cancer in 2006. AC&T now matches funds raised for Breast Cancer Awareness, in her honor. Ad Fulton later married Janet Stiles, who he met through church. She raised dairy cows, and so they enjoyed farming together.

Fulton’s three sons operate the company today. They continue to keep the business diversified to ensure that the company remains viable. They are generous to their employees, offering good benefits, as well as educational scholarships for their families.

Ad Fulton has left a resounding positive impact on Washington County throughout his life, and his charitable nature has provided many individuals with opportunities, education, financial support, and assistance during difficult times.

Finalists for the Legacy Award are nominated and selected by The Chamber; finalists in the other Business Awards categories can be nominated by anyone in the community.

The Chamber of Washington County feels that a Legacy Award is an important addition to their Business Awards program. The award is given when warranted to recognize individuals who have left a significant impact on Washington County through their career achievements and community service. Legacy Award recipients encompass leadership and an exceptional work ethic and have consistently performed above and beyond normal expectations throughout their career.

Ad Fulton’s Legacy Award will be presented at the Business Awards event, taking place from 5-9 p.m., February 26, 2025, at The Maryland Theatre.

To purchase tickets to the event, and to see a full list of finalists for all eight Business Awards categories, visit The Chamber’s events calendar at Hagerstown.org.