By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Eagle Communications has won a national award for its efforts to communicate the benefits of its employee-owner structure.

The National ESOP Association awarded Eagle Communications is 2019 Total Communications award for companies with more than 250 employees during the association’s National Conference in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes efforts to educate the public and employee-owners of its ownership culture under ESOP.

ESOP stands for Employee Stock Ownership Plan, giving its workers ownership interest in the company.

Eagle was a runner-up for two other awards: The Videos category, and the Employee Ownership Marketing category.

Andrea Clinkscales with Eagle Communications was a National “Employee Owner of the Year” finalist.

“The great educational curriculum for employee owners includes ESOP 101 content, information discussed on weekly bulletin videos, a weekly revenue call, an ESOP Facebook group, eight educational videos, and a pre-retirement seminar. A leadership program is a great development opportunity for employee owners looking to take a greater role. The company also engages in local Chamber of Commerce events to share about the company and employee ownership,” commented the AACE judges in presenting Eagle Communications the national award.

The AACE awards are sponsored each year by the Association to recognize the outstanding communications and educational programs of its members.

Gary Shorman, CEO of Eagle Communications is Chairman of the National ESOP Association.

“The National Conference brings together some of the best employee owned companies in the country. For us to be represented as award winners shows the passion of our Eagle team for providing great customer service and ‘no excuses’ employee ownership in the communities we serve,” Shorman said in a written statement.