A former UA adjunct lecturer and former chief financial officer for a local medical device manufacturing company has resigned from his job after shooting a video of himself criticizing a female employee in a Tucson Chick-Fil-A drive through, then later uploading it to YouTube.
Adam Smith formerly served as CFO for Vante as well as a UA adjunct lecturer of finance, according to a UA press release. Smith shot the video on Wednesday during “Chick-Fil-A Day,” a following started by Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to support the restaurant after its owner made statements against same-sex marriage.
In the video, which took place at the Chick-Fil-A at 3605 E. Broadway Blvd., Smith ordered a free cup of water in the drive through. He then expressed his distaste about the company’s views to the employee at the window, eventually telling her, “I don’t know how you live with yourself and work here; I don’t understand it. This is a horrible corporation with horrible values.”
The original video has since been removed from the site, but not before going viral and being downloaded and posted again several times.
According to a university press release, Smith held his non-tenure eligible position as adjunct lecturer from Jan. 2 to May 20, and “presently holds no appointment with the University.”
The release goes on to say that, “The University of Arizona strives to provide an environment where a free and respectful exchange of ideas is valued and encouraged. We strive to have a workforce that is diverse and respectful of different viewpoints and where opinions are respected.”