The Menke Group Welcomes Michael Dee and Jessica Quaday to our Annual Administration Staff

The Menke Group is proud to welcome Senior Benefits Consultants Michael Dee, MBA, QKA and Jessica Quaday, QKA to our Annual Administration team. Accurate, reliable, and efficient recordkeeping is the backbone of a healthy ESOP, and our team of highly trained and experienced administrators are here to handle any ESOP recordkeeping challenge.

Mr. Dee and Ms. Quaday bring a combined total of over 45 years of retirement plan experience and knowledge to their roles. They, along with the rest of the Annual Administration team, provide the vital services that keep your ESOP running smoothly: tracking employee eligibility and vesting, ensuring every ESOP participant receives their correct allocation, testing for compliance, processing distributions, helping you prepare your tax filings, and much more.

Michael Dee, MBA, QKA has over 25 years of experience working with defined contribution plans. Prior to joining The Menke Group, Michael served as a Senior Manager at Crowe LLP for over 20 years where he administered both ESOPs and 401(k) plans. Michael is an expert on ESOP and 401(k) compliance, and is available as a technical resource for preparing and reviewing the annual Form 5500 for ESOPs and 401(k) plans. While he has been providing essential support to ESOP companies for more than two decades, this is the first time he has been a part of one.

Jessica Quaday, QKA has more than 20 years of experience working with retirement plans. She was previously the Director of Client Services at ESOP Partners, and has extensive knowledge around administering ESOP and 401(k) plans. She is a member of The ESOP Association, The National Tax-deferred Savings Association, and the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries.

We asked them, “What do you love about working with ESOPs—and for one?”

Michael Dee: After working with ESOPs for 20 years, joining Menke now allows me to say, “I work for an ESOP company.” I love the way that my daily contributions have a direct impact, not only on the company’s success, but also my retirement. The harder and smarter I work, the better off I will be when it comes time to retire. And it’s not just me, I know that everyone around me is in the same boat and that by supporting one another each individual success will build our team into a stronger ESOP company for all of us.

Jessica Quaday: What I love about ESOPs is that it creates sustainability for the company to grow in the future and that it creates wealth for the employees in retirement. I love working for an ESOP as it gives me an ownership stake in the company and gives me the ability to help drive the success of the company!

Click here to learn more about Michael and Jessica, and the rest of our Annual ESOP Administration staff.

Menke & Associates, Inc. has helped over 3,500 companies successfully transition to employee ownership. Our holistic ESOP approach enables a positive outcome for the company, its employees and its shareholders. We believe ownership is powerful.

Share this article:

Learn why an ESOP is better for You,
your Business, and your Employees

Upcoming Web Seminar

How ESOPs Help Businesses Navigate Rising Costs,
Market Uncertainty & Succession Planning

Free 90-Minute Webinar for Business Owners, CFOs & Advisors

📉 The Economic Reality

Inflation. Tariffs. Tight labor markets. Cost of capital on the rise.

2025 is shaping up to be a year where strategic moves—not reactive cuts—will define the companies that come out stronger. If you’re a private company leader facing rising costs and succession pressures, now is the time to consider the unique benefits of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

🚀 What You’ll Learn

✅ ESOP 101: How it works, who qualifies, and why it’s more relevant than ever

✅ Countering Margin Pressure: Offset cost increases from tariffs and wages using ESOP tax incentives

✅ Tax Strategies for Owners & Companies: Capital gains deferral, corporate income tax reduction, and more

✅ Talent Retention: Keep your best employees with meaningful ownership—not just raises

✅ Valuation & Financing: Understand the 2025 deal landscape and flexible funding models

📌 Who Should Attend

This session is ideal for:

- Business Owners planning an exit or recap
- CFOs evaluating corporate tax or capital strategy
- Succession Planners seeking values-aligned ownership transitions
- HR & ESOP Committee Members aiming to understand the full value of employee ownership

💬 Hear From Past Attendees

“I came in skeptical. I left with a clear understanding of how ESOPs could be our best path forward—even in an uncertain economy.”

— Mark T., CFO, Manufacturing Company

"This webinar helped clarify both the exit plan and how we can support employees at the same time."

— Susan D., Founder & CEO, B2B Services Firm

🎯 Why 2025 is the Time for ESOPs

ESOPs can create a rare win-win:

- Liquidity for founders without third-party control
- Tax savings that protect cash and buffer costs
- Employee ownership that attracts, retains, and motivates talent
- In today’s economic climate, that edge is no longer optional—it’s essential.