Yaker of Amalgamated and Plamann of Unified Grocers honored by NCB with 2014 Stan Dreyer Spirit of Cooperation Award

National Cooperative Bank (NCB) has named Ed Yaker, president of Amalgamated Housing Cooperative, and Al Plamann, retired CEO of Unified Grocers, dual recipients of the 2014 Stan Dreyer Spirit of Cooperation Award. The honor is bestowed annually to those who live and work with the spirit of the cooperative principles. Yaker was born at Amalgamated Housing Cooperative, one of the oldest limited equity co-ops in the U.S, and has served on the board of directors for over 30 years, including many years as president. His commitment to the housing community, both for Amalgamated and the Coordinating Council of Cooperatives in New York has been instrumental for the success of housing cooperatives in New York. Yaker has helped foster a thriving community at Amalgamated that is more than a place where people live - it is a place where people have a life. The second recipient of the Cooperative Spirit award was Plamann, retired president & CEO of Unified Grocers and outgoing NCB board member. Plamann served on NCB's board of directors for a total of 12 years starting in 1995 and was president and CEO of Unified Grocers from 1994 to 2013. His commitment to cooperatives and furthering their success as a sustainable business model has been critical for both Unified Grocers and NCB. His passion for cooperatives, and the mission focused organizations will truly be missed as a member of NCB's board of directors. "Both Ed's and Al's contributions to the cooperative community have been tremendous and I am very excited to be able to honor two cooperative leaders this year," said Charles Snyder, NCB president and CEO. "These men are dedicated, hardworking and committed to the cooperative mission." The bank carefully selects the yearly recipient of The Stan Dreyer Spirit of Cooperation Award, named for Dreyer to ensure it's given to an individual or organization who lives the spirit of the cooperative principles. Dreyer, who is now retired from NCB, was one of the people who was instrumental in the passage of the Congressional Bank Act in 1978 which created NCB. The award is bestowed annually on an NCB employee or member-customer whose devotion and contribution to the cooperative community emulate those embodied by Dreyer. Among his long list of accomplishments, Dreyer served as executive director of NCBA and, in that role was the premier advocate to Congress in helping to pass the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act, which created NCB. Throughout his career, his dedication to fostering the growth and success of cooperatives, nationally and internationally, has earned him widespread recognition and an enduring legacy.