WASHINGTON — Dakota Supply Group, an employee-owned company headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, was named the 2014 ESOP Company of the Year by The ESOP Association. The award was presented at the Association’s 37th Annual Conference in Washington, DC. The ESOP Association is the national trade association for companies with employee stock ownership plans.

According to the association, Dakota Supply Group is a strong supporter of employee ownership and its employee owners strive to represent the company at both Chapter and National ESOP Association events.

"Employee owners are regular attendees at Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter meetings and enthusiastically participate on Chapter committees and as presenters at Chapter and National conferences," reported The ESOP Association. "The company actively recruits Dakotas ESOP companies to join the Chapter and was a catalyst for changing the Chapter name to accurately represent North Dakota and South Dakota."

Dakota Supply Group employee owners also meet with members of Congress and work to promote ESOP issues both in their home state as well as at the national level.

“I’m delighted to present the employee owners of Dakota Supply Group with the 2014 ESOP Company of the Year Award,” said J. Michael Keeling, president, ESOP Association. “The employee owners integrate the ESOP into all they do at the company and also endeavor to share that ESOP spirit with the community. Dakota Supply Group is an example of the value and potential that employee ownership can bring to a company.”

Visit www.esopassociation.org for more information.