Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the governing body of VGM Group, Inc., and therefore has legal and fiduciary responsibilities for its actions and activities. The Board of Directors is responsible for making and maintaining policies, engaging in strategic planning, and VGM Group, Inc. strategic goals. The Board approves and operates under an annual budget.

Jim Walsh

Chairman of the Board Board member since 1986

Jim cofounded VGM with Van G. Miller and John Deery, Jr. in 1986. He became VGM's corporate counsel in 1996 and served in that role until his retirement in 2021. He has been an attorney with Clark, Butler, Walsh & Hamman Law Firm since 1976 and has owned JSA Development since 2001. From 1992 to 2014, Jim was the Waterloo City Attorney.

John Deery, Jr.

Board member since 1986

John cofounded VGM with Jim Walsh and Van G. Miller in 1986. He is a successful Cedar Valley entrepreneur whose core business has been in the automotive industry.

D. Jay Ellis

Board member since 2008

D. Jay founded VGM Club in 1994, and served as president of VGM Club and VGM Client Rewards until the business was sold to Foodbuy in 2018. Before joining VGM, D. Jay worked for Iowa Sports Supply and took over ownership of the company in 1977.

John Adams

Board member since 2008

John was initially Van Miller's tax advisor, and later became the tax preparer for VGM starting in 1983. He was employed by Den Hartog & Hogan CPA from 1976 to 1980; Heaton, Adams & Co. PC CPA from 1981 to 2013; and now Adams, Evenson & Co. PC CPA since 2014.

Jim Phillips

Board member since 2010

Jim worked with Van G. Miller at Miller Medical and eventually VGM beginning in 1986. He was the VGM chief operating officer from 2008 until he retired in 2017. He also worked for LeaseAmerica from 1977 to 1991 and VGM Leasing from 1991 to 2008.