HAYS, Kan. — Eagle Communications, Inc., the parent company of Hutchinson radio stations KWBW, KHMY and KHUT , has been recognized as the 2017 Heart of America “ESOP Company of the Year.” The Heart of America ESOP Association presents this award annually to a company that embodies employee-ownership.

“We are honored to have received this award and be considered one of the companies that have laid the foundation for what it means to be Company of the Year,” said Eagle Communications President and CEO Gary Shorman. “We were recognized for our internal and external promotion of ESOPs; the various ways we educate, share and participate in the ESOP throughout the year and our continuous involvement to stay connected in the communities we serve.” An ESOP, or Employee Stock Ownership Plan, is designed so that each eligible employee shares in the ownership of a company.

Each year, Eagle Communications allocates a percentage of its profits to the employee-owners, similar to a profit-sharing plan.

In addition to being named “ESOP Company of the Year,” Eagle employee-owner, Andrea Clinkscales was also recognized by the Heart of America Chapter as runner up for “Employee-Owner of the Year.” She was recognized for her work to promote the ESOP within Eagle and efforts making Eagle’s ESOP recognized nationally in the ESOP Association community.