Pros
Loved the cooperative business model; never had to question if the company cared about its employees (and their families), customers or members. The health benefits and work/life balance are phenomenal! There's a lot of cross-functional collaboration across the organization and individuals are provided the tools they need to succeed. Employees at all levels of the organization are part of decision making processes--sometimes almost to a fault.
Cons
Advancement opportunities are limited. The paid time off plan and compensation package are competitive; however, the market is very competitive with a turnaround in the economy and the oil boom in NW North Dakota. Cooperatives are very conservative and work through change management slower than other business models; not always a bad thing, but something to keep in mind.