Welcome To VGM Group’s 2024 Year In Review
Letter From The CEO
I’ve held a lot of positions at VGM Group in my more than 20 years with the company. And in 2024, I took on the hardest—yet most exciting—role in my career: CEO. Ask any other company and they’ll tell you leadership transitions are difficult. VGM isn’t like any other company, though. We are 100% employee owned. Everyone who works here has a vested interest in the success of the company.
Thanks to their dedication to Culture, Execution, and Excellence, we were able to take 2024—one of most challenging times in our company’s history—and turn it into one of the best years on record.
That’s why we call our annual report Stories Of Opportunity. In the pages that follow, you’ll read about some of the successes we had in 2024 and the employee owners who made them possible.
I am truly grateful to be part of VGM. I am constantly in awe of our more than 1,600 employee owners, and not a day goes by that I don’t learn something from one of them.
I hope you enjoy learning about our people and the future they’re creating for all of us. Whether you’re part of VGM, thinking about joining, or just curious about who we are and what we do, I’m glad you’re here.
Thank you,
Jeremy Stolz, CEO
Letter From The CPO
2024 was a massive success for VGM, not just from a business standpoint, but also from an employee owner standpoint. Our employee owners are VGM. They are what has driven VGM to be the industry leader it is today and given us the success we had in 2024. And the numbers are there to show it.
VGM is well above the national average when it comes to employee engagement, as based on McLean & Company surveys completed by our employee owners. We had a 72.5% engagement score in 2024, which is not only 5 points higher from 2023, but is also 10 points higher than the national average.
Over the course of 2024, we saw a significant increase of employee ownership attendance across all VGM events, matching (and in some cases, surpassing) pre-pandemic numbers. We also noticed a major increase of employee owners working in office for a majority of the work week, which is incredible to see!
One of my favorite moments this year was during our annual Employee Ownership Month Celebration, where I witnessed firsthand the camaraderie and passion that define VGM. The event was filled with excitement as we unveiled the new 100% employee-owned flag, a symbol of our collective dedication and unity. I was particularly moved by the opening ceremony, where Jenna McKinley, HOMELINK and Anna Kilburg, VGM Fulfillment joined CEO Jeremy Stolz and Executive Chairman of the Board Mike Mallaro in a symbolic passing of the torch. This moment encapsulated the spirit of unity and shared purpose that makes VGM such a special place to work. It’s moments like these that remind me why I am proud to be part of this incredible company.
I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished this past year. And I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together in the future.
Thank you to all our employee owners for continually Owning Your Ownership,
What Employee Ownership Means To Me
Employee ownership isn’t just one benefit. It’s a multitude of benefits—as varied as the more than 1,600 people who make up the company we call VGM. Here’s what a few of our employee owners in different phases of their careers had to say.
FINDTHEFUN INYOURDAY
Trey Germain
VGM Insurance
Employee Owner Since 2024
“Working at VGM is special. I enjoy coming to work and that is largely due to the culture. People at VGM like to work hard and Find The Fun In Their Day, doing it while fully embracing their ownership. Being a 100% employee-owned company makes VGM different from all the others. As a recent college graduate starting my career, VGM has provided me with a unique opportunity not found anywhere else. I’m thankful to be a part of such a great company.”
Brandi Miller
VGM Insurance
Employee Owner Since 2023
“In my nearly two years at VGM, I’ve come to understand the true essence of employee ownership and the importance of building meaningful relationships. Beyond feeling valued by my coworkers within my department, VGM Insurance, various clubs—such as our DEI Committee and Young Professionals Group—have enabled me to develop relationships and learn from coworkers throughout VGM. They have shown me how individuals can Make A Difference to VGM and our community. I’m incredibly grateful to work at VGM, where inclusion and opportunity are at the forefront, creating an environment that fosters growth, diversity, and a sense of belonging for everyone.”
MAKEA DIFFERENCE
Jackson Cahill
HOMELINK
Employee Owner Since 2019
“I’ve been with VGM for just short of 6 years, and through that, I’ve been able to witness firsthand the compassion, time, and effort people put in each day. That drive of helping people is in the nature of our staff. Any time I’m walking to get coffee or making my way to chat with a peer, I overhear empathy and understanding on the phones, folks taking their time to get to the bottom of what’s needed and making sure we deliver with integrity and honesty. Being able to go home and know that I made a difference for somebody is invaluable.”
MEMORABLE SERVICE
Sherry Buck HOMELINK
Employee Owner Since 1994
“In my 30+ years of employment with VGM, I have had the honor of working with some awesome people who I now call my friends. I am truly grateful to be part of HOMELINK, and this company has allowed me to not only grow as a person but also as an integral part of this great organization. The tremendous growth and changes I have witnessed are a true testament of the great work and commitment of its employee owners. Without the successes of VGM, I would not be where I am today—succeeding in my career goals and beyond in my future retirement goals.”
CREATEYOUR FUTURE
Matt Flaherty VGM & Associates
Employee Owner Since 2010
“Working at VGM has been more than a career opportunity—it’s been a chance to grow both personally and professionally. From starting as a picker in the warehouse to where I am now within the company, I feel like living proof that you can truly Create Your Future here at VGM. I didn’t know VGM was employee owned when I started in 2010, but the moment I realized I was a part of an ESOP and an employee owner, I knew I didn’t want to be anywhere else. VGM has empowered me to evolve, push boundaries, and continuously discover new potential within myself.”
Employee Owners Sharing Their Expertise
VGM employee owners are everywhere. Whether you’re at an industry event, out in the Cedar Valley community, or on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., there’s a good chance one of us will be there sharing our expertise, demonstrating excellence.
Scott Hagberg
Corporate IT
From panels and presentations at industry conferences and even throughout the Cedar Valley community, Scott has traveled far and wide over the last couple of years. His mission? To help people and businesses see the potential AI has to offer.
“All of this really started because I was just excited about what AI could do,” Scott said. “When Chat-GPT launched, our CIO Jeremy Kauten said, ‘We need someone to look into this.’ I raised my hand and spoke up, and I just didn’t stop talking about it.”
Scott continues to help educate business leaders about the technology’s capabilities. And in doing so, he’s also helping eliminate their fear around adding AI to part of their operation.
“We’re going through a transformative time, and VGM is leading the way,” Scott said. “And thanks to advances in AI, we as people will be able to spend our time on more meaningful things.”
“WE’RE GOING THROUGH A TRANSFORMATIVE TIME, AND VGM IS LEADING THE WAY.”
Holly DiMarco Human
Capital
Holly is a familiar face around the Cedar Valley community these days. In the last few years, she’s been involved with ONE Cedar Valley and the area’s Junior League. But it was in 2021 that she really stepped up her community involvement with Cedar Valley SHRM (Society for Human Resources Management).
“I first joined as a way to deepen my knowledge in HR through SHRM’s certification and ongoing education,” Holly said. “But my favorite part has been all the people I’ve met and had the opportunity to work with.”
“MY FAVORITE PART HAS BEEN ALL THE PEOPLE I’VE MET AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH.”
Serving in various positions on the Cedar Valley SHRM board, including President in 2023, Holly played a key role in organizing the annual DisruptHR, an educational event designed to energize, inform, and empower those in the HR field.
“Everyone benefits from continued education and networking, and I love being part of those efforts,” Holly said. “There’s always some place to get involved, and you should. It’s so great to be connected with others who share your interests, and to learn and grow together in your community.”
Mike McGill
Corporate Communications
Employee ownership is a big part of Mike’s role. He regularly works with the Employee Ownership Ambassadors on communication and events to share the benefits of employee ownership. He enjoys it so much, he’s opted to share his knowledge beyond the walls of VGM.
“Employee ownership is unique,” Mike said. “Most people don’t know what it’s about. It really is at the core of everything we do at VGM, and I love getting a chance to spread the message.”
Mike has been a go-to presenter for VGM on numerous occasions, speaking with small groups
“WE ALL RALLY AROUND THIS COMMON GOAL, AND IT REALLY IS SOMETHING SPECIAL. I’M ALWAYS EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT IT.”
who come to VGM’s Headquarters, visiting students in college classrooms, and of course, presenting at various ESOP conferences. For him, it all comes back to one of his biggest passions: bringing people together.
“I just love building relationships and being able to help people connect,” Mike said. “What’s great about employee ownership, is that everyone has a vested interest in creating something that works for everyone. We all rally around this common goal, and it really is something special. I’m always excited to talk about it.”
Mike “Ike” Isaacson
Government Relations
If you’re looking for Ike around the halls of VGM Headquarters, there’s a good chance your search will come up short.
“I’d say over a third of my year is spent traveling,” Ike said. “From fundraisers to strategic planning sessions to working with legislators in D.C., and in state houses across the country, my calendar is never boring.”
Along with VGM’s Government team, Ike works to create advocates for the DMEPOS industry throughout the country. It’s work that makes a difference, not only for the businesses VGM serves but for millions of patients in the U.S. And Ike cherishes it.
“I have the greatest job in our company,” Ike said. “I get to talk about the amazing things VGMers are doing every day. And I get to connect policymakers with providers to help drive meaningful change for countless business owners and patients. I get to Make A Difference and help others do the same. What could be better than that?”
“I GET TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND HELP OTHERS DO THE SAME. WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN THAT?”
Tera O’Hare
VGM Insurance
VGM has helped businesses leverage the opportunities technology provides since it was founded. And this commitment reaches well beyond the customers we serve directly thanks to Tera’s work.
“I was fortunate to connect with the Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) through their Iowa Technology Leaders Institute in 2024,” Tera said. “The experience helped me collaborate with leaders at other organizations on how to tackle emerging challenges and opportunities. Those connections help strengthen the solutions we offer at VGM, and create a technology community.”
TAI is an organization committed to driving technology and developing tech professionals within the state of Iowa. It hosts over 100 annual events and advocates for public policy that supports businesses creating more opportunities.
“It is amazing and eye opening to see how technology has become the fabric of so many organizations that are serving our Iowa communities. I was hesitant at first to join TAI. But the knowledge I’ve learned and been able to share has had a tremendous impact. I encourage everyone to take every opportunity you can. It will be worth it.”
“I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY YOU CAN. IT WILL BE WORTH IT.”
Creating a Future. Building a Legacy.
Make A Difference: Our Commitment To Giving Back MAKEA DIFFERENCE
Be The Change
On Feb. 14, 2024, the VGM Community Giving Committee announced VGM’s 2024 Be The Change Partner as Habitat For Humanity—a global nonprofit organization that helps build or improve homes in countless communities for those in need of housing. They have changed the lives of millions across the world and Made A Difference for families in VGM’s own community.
VGM’s donation to Habitat For Humanity totaled $45,000, and was spread across three cities near VGM location in the U.S.
Iowa Heartland VGM Headquarters
$30,000
Greater Des Moines Two Rivers Marketing
$10,000
Greater Harrisburg VGM Fulfillment, Pennsylvania
$5,000
On top of the financial donation, CEO Jeremy Stolz announced that VGM would contribute 3,000 volunteer hours—allowing employee owners to get hands-on with Habitat For Humanity and Make A Difference for the communities we call home.
In total, employee owners contributed
3,179 hours to volunteering in 2024.
A Spotlight On Volunteers
With CEO Jeremy Stolz’s announcement of committing to 3,000 volunteer hours during 2024, many employee owners took up the initiative to Make A Difference in the communities they call home.
Each month since June 2024, we’ve spotlighted an employee owner who was nominated for their volunteer work.
“I volunteer because it’s incredibly rewarding,” said Jen Gilbert, Senior Copywriter for Two Rivers Marketing and VGM’s June 2024 Spotlight. “Volunteering for an organization like Habitat For Humanity—it just makes you feel good knowing you can truly make a difference, no matter how big or how small your role might be. You’re still contributing to making a difference in our community.”
Jen had volunteered for our Be The Change Partner, Habitat for Humanity—somewhere where she had volunteered many times in the past. But Jen wasn’t on her own. She was also with a handful of members from Women In Leadership.
This is a very common occurrence at VGM—employee owners working together to build a better community. If you don’t want to volunteer alone, it’s easy to look around to your fellow employee owners for opportunities to arise.
“VGM played a pivotal role in helping me find time to volunteer,” said Amanda Nugent, Associate Scrum Master for VGM Fulfillment and VGM’s December 2024 Volunteer Spotlight. “Being part of the Young Professionals Group and a chair for DEI, the opportunities started to present themselves.”
“YOU’RE STILL CONTRIBUTING TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.”
Are you a VGM employee owner who’s interested in being featured or knows a deserving colleague? Submit a nomination today!
“VGM PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN HELPING ME FIND TIME TO VOLUNTEER.”
Volunteering can, and does, come in many forms. Melanie Tournier, Senior Account Executive for Strategic Imaging and VGM’s October 2024 Volunteer Spotlight, runs the gamut. From helping pack boxes of stuffed animals and organizing events for Furries 4 Fosters (her daughter Aaliyah’s organization) to making salsa and selling it to fundraise for Let’s Start Talking (her daughter Tehya’s organization).
But above all else, the most common piece of advice given by all of our Spotlights when it comes to volunteering has been to make sure you find something that interests you and take that first step.
“Even giving back in the smallest of ways, whether that’s making a monetary donation, providing an hour of your time, or promoting a cause you’re passionate about—it can make a huge difference for someone,” said Holly DiMarco, Human Resource Generalist for Human Capital and VGM’s November 2024 Volunteer Spotlight.
“EVEN GIVING BACK IN THE SMALLEST OF WAYS CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR SOMEONE.”
MAKEA DIFFERENCE
New Charity Partners
During the Be The Change event, Christa Miehe, President of Corporate Communications, announced that employee owners will have the opportunity to nominate four new charities to be featured on the charity wall during the VGM Journey. This stop on the Journey is significant, as visitors can put their name on a sticker, place it under one of the four featured charities, and VGM will make a donation to that charity in the visitor’s name.
The four new charities chosen by employee owners were:
House of Hope provides a home, a community, and a transformation for homeless, single-mother families and women ages 18-24 who age out of foster care.
This nonprofit organization is passionately committed to enhancing the lives of veterans and children with autism through a specialized Service Dog training program. The dogs go through more than two years of training to meet the needs of their specific client.
OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, VGM HAS MADE OVER $1.5 MILLION IN FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO MORE THAN 150 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
This nonprofit organization uses funds to raise suicide prevention awareness, feeling education is key to preventing suicide. They also host two grief support groups in Waverly and Waterloo for those who have experienced a loss due to suicide.
Kadens Kloset supplies material items and necessities for families, sustains ongoing services for foster and adoptive families, and equips people to engage in caring for children and families in need. Foster and adoptive families, children, teens, expectant mothers, and local families in need are then invited to “shop” the closet.
Our Child Care Center Turns 1
In November 2023, the VGM Child Care Center opened its doors for the first time to employee owners and their young ones. With the constant struggle of securing reliable child care over the last few years, the VGM Child Care Center lifted a weight from the shoulders of dozens of employee owners.
Relief
The opening of the child care center was a selling point for Samantha Doering, Production Manager for Corporate Communications. The struggle leading up to the child care center’s opening was at times incredibly stressful.
“When I was expecting Weston, I figured that living in a larger city, child care shouldn’t be an issue,” Samantha said. “I was calling everyone, everywhere regardless of what their ratings were. I just needed something. But almost everything had at least a six-month waiting period. The opening of the child care center is what made VGM appeal to me.”
Convenience
If there is a common theme between all of the employee owners utilizing the child care center, it’s convenience. With the center built directly inside VGM Headquarters, employee owners no longer have to go out of their way to drop off or pick up their kids. That’s been a major benefit to Tyler Mahncke, SVP of Clinical Mobility And Accessibility at VGM & Associates, who has had two kids in VGM’s child care center: daughter Lakelyn and son Conway.
“Nothing beats having your kids in the same place you go to work,” Tyler said. “We live close to VGM, and I come to work in the office every day, so it just makes sense. And of course, when the kids are sick, it helps that I’m already there to be able to pick them up and take them home. When they were at the other center, it would take me over an hour to pick them up, take them home, and then get to back to the office if I needed to.”
“NOTHING BEATS HAVING YOUR KIDS IN THE SAME PLACE YOU GO TO WORK.”
Expansion
VGM is committed to helping our employee owners in any way we can. That’s why over the last year, the child care center was expanded to employee owners who were grandparents, aunts, or uncles to children needing child care. While VGM strives to Make A Difference for our community, we also aim to Make A Difference for our employee owners.
“I appreciate that VGM listened to its employee owners and the community, and then did something about it,” said Irina Hageman, Underwriter for VGM Insurance. “So few companies would see parents struggling like that and choose to do anything about it. And VGM did.”
The VGM On-Site Campus Child Care Center is operated by CUCCC. There are still openings available. VGM employee owners can learn more and submit an application on the Intranet
Accreditation
And while convenience is true for all employee owners utilizing the child care center, other factors also play a role in their decisions to use the center. For Brooke Kraft, Vice President of Talent Management for Human Capital, and Lathan Ehlers, Copywriter Lead for Corporate Communications, the child care center’s accreditation was the selling point to enroll their daughters Viv and Ceely.
“Our previous in-home care provider was like family to us,” said Brooke. “But now, the girls are part of something that has a curriculum—there are teachers that teach the kids. That scheduled curriculum and learning doesn’t always happen at in-home day cares.”
MAKEA DIFFERENCE
“SO FEW COMPANIES WOULD SEE PARENTS STRUGGLING LIKE THAT AND CHOOSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. AND VGM DID.”
A Year For The Next Chapter Life-ch Wealth
The phrase “life-changing wealth” can be heard often at VGM, especially in relation to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). But that’s because it’s true. Did you know that nearly 100 employee owners currently have ESOP balances over $1 million? And these employee owners span all roles and positions within VGM!
This kind of life-changing wealth is the financial blanket for employee owners once they reach retirement, and in some cases, allowing employees to retire early. In fact, VGM had 24 total retirees in ‘24, and the ESOP has prepared each one of them for their next chapter. This wave of retirees results in opportunities for employee owners to Create Their Future within VGM by moving into these roles.
“The ESOP Is A Life Saver” anging
Debbie Kline, who started in HOMELINK in 1994, retired in July 2024. But even before her retirement date, the ESOP allowed her to get a head start on a big home project.
“We’re already starting to remodel our house, which we didn’t plan on doing until sometime after I retired,” said Debbie. “But with ESOP, I knew I was going to be well set for my retirement. So, we decided to start early!”
Today, not only is her remodel project finished, but she’s already on to the next big project for remodeling the bathroom in her house.
“My financial advisor said to me, ‘If I didn’t already know you had your ESOP, I would normally discourage clients from doing this many costly projects in such a short span of time.’”
While the ESOP is great for planned projects, sometimes the unexpected can happen. In late 2024, Debbie’s dog, Brailey, was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her mouth. The cancer hadn’t yet spread, but treatment was costly.
“Between all of her scans and cost of treatment, it was a lot of money,” said Debbie. “If I didn’t have the ESOP, there was a very high possibility we would’ve had to put her down. But with this financial comfort, there was no question that I was going to do whatever I could to give her the best life possible. The ESOP is a lifesaver.”
And as of January 2025, Brailey’s treatments are finished with the prognosis showing the tumor was visibly shrinking. Brailey is currently living her best doggy life.
In her retirement, Debbie also makes sure to keep her connections with previous coworkers strong, often going out to lunch or dinner with them, saying it’s important to always keep those connections.
And what else does Debbie have planned for retirement?
“We’re keeping busy with the grandkids and all their sports,” she said. “We have trips booked for February to meet up with a patient I took care of for years and his wife. And overall, I just love having the freedom to pack up and go wherever we want on any given day.”
Celebrating 2024 Retirees
Rhonda Ackerman
Dec. 31
HOMELINK
Lisa Crawford
Oct. 4
HOMELINK
Paul DiMarco
Dec. 31
Human Capital
John Friel
July 12
Forbin
John Gallagher
Dec. 27
VGM & Associates
Jim Greatorex
Dec. 31
VGM & Associates
David Harnois
Dec. 31
VGM Insurance
Brian Jones
Dec. 31
Two Rivers Marketing
Debbie Kline
July 12 HOMELINK
Don Knock
July 8 HOMELINK
Bob Kroll
July 24 HOMELINK
Pat Lutwitze
May 3
Corporate IT
Mike Mallaro Dec. 31 Management Services
Ana Martinez
March 22 VGM Fulfillment
Sherie Maynard Aug. 2 HOMELINK
Scott McDonald May 24 HOMELINK
Joan Murphy Dec. 25 HOMELINK
Lisa Niebuhr
March 1
Two Rivers Marketing
Mary Pittman
Aug. 31 HOMELINK
Darla Porter
July 3 VGM Insurance
Mike Reyhons
Dec. 31
Strategic Imaging
Tracy Ryan
April 1
Corporate IT
Kelly Wolf ` March 31
VGM & Associates
Kaylene Wright
Dec. 31 HOMELINK
Total Employee Owner Well-being
At VGM, the well-being of employee owners is of the utmost importance—because VGM is its employee owners. There are six overall aspects of well-being VGM has identified: physical, emotional, financial, social, environmental, and developmental. Throughout 2024, VGM worked towards providing as many opportunities as possible for employee owners to assist in one or more of these categories.
Wellness Coordinator Mental Health Visits
VGM’s zero co-pay benefit for mental health visits is a meaningful offering that helps to remove barriers to accessing quality mental health care. By eliminating the financial burden, employees can seek the support they need without worrying about the cost. This benefit reflects VGM’s commitment to the well-being of its employees, ensuring that everyone has access to essential mental health services. It’s a significant step toward fostering a healthier, more supportive work environment.
In March 2024, VGM hired Cara Hintz as our Wellness Coordinator. Cara’s role at VGM involves handling corporate wellness initiatives, along with building relationships with employee owners to help them meet their holistic well-being goals. Through her Power Of One Well-being Series and Well-being Wednesday social posts, Cara promotes opportunities for employee owners to learn and take charge of their physical and emotional well-being.
Earned Wage Access
Leadership Summit
VGM Group’s Leadership Summit is a biennial event for current and aspiring leaders from across the company. It is VGM’s largest investment in the professional and personal development of employee owners. Over the course of two days, attendees engaged in thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and motivational presentations. The summit provides a platform for employee owners to exchange ideas, share their experiences, and learn from one another.
In July 2024, VGM introduced the Earned Wage Access benefit through a partnership with Payactiv. All hourly VGM employees can access 50% of wages earned up to $500 before payday at any time and have it instantly transferred to their bank, checking account, or Payactiv Visa card. This benefit provides financial freedom to cover life’s unexpected expenses. Popped tires, hospital emergencies, sudden fees, or even a last-minute birthday gift—no matter what it’s needed for, the money is there for employees to access when they need it most.
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Early Retirement
VGM is proud to offer early retirement to our employee owners, with an option to retire as early as 55! This work perk gives employee owners an easier transition to the next chapter of their lives with a step-by-step process of what to expect with retirement. Read about VGM’s retirement options in detail at vgmgroup.com/retirement.
Health & Safety Committee
Developed in January 2024, the Health & Safety Committee actively engages frontline employees in the promotion and maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment. The committee helps identify and mitigate hazards, ensure compliance with processes and policies, and engage and educate employee owners regarding health and safety.
Employee Engagement Events
As with every year, 2024 was no different in offering ample opportunities for employee owners to get together to Find The Fun In Their Day. From hockey and baseball games to trivia nights to holiday parties and everything in between. But we also take time to recognize the great work employee owners do for VGM and Cheer Each Other On with events such as the VGM Awards and The Reveal.
View Event Recap Video
Investing In One Another And Our Company
VGM employee owners have nearly endless opportunities to learn and grow together. Several groups and committees exist to strengthen our culture and employee owners make the most of personal and professional development. Each year, employee owners from across the company raise their hands to lead these groups and make an impact on their peers and their company.
Women In Leadership Chair
Irina Hageman, VGM Insurance
Women In Leadership (WIL) is a strategic program with the purpose to support, motivate, and empower women, who make up over 65% of the company. Irina went through the program in 2021, and it was so impactful for her, she never wanted it to end.
“After my class ended, I knew I needed to stay involved, so I applied to serve on the committee,” Irina said. “Now, having served as WIL Chair, I’ve gone through the program several times, and I get something new from it every single time. And I have gained a network of women I may never have talked to before.”
For Irina, those connections are reason enough to get involved, something she thinks every employee owner should do.
“There are so many phenomenal ways to get involved here at VGM,” Irina said. “Find something that fills your cup, whether it’s through WIL or a Get Connected Group like our Gardening Club. It could truly transform your career and your future for the better.”
“FIND SOMETHING THAT FILLS YOUR CUP. IT COULD TRULY TRANSFORM YOUR CAREER AND YOUR FUTURE FOR THE BETTER.”
“I’M PROUD THAT ALL OF US AS EMPLOYEE OWNERS GET TO BE PART OF IT.”
Like other committees, Community Giving is made up of employee owners from all over the company. This diversity of perspectives is central to the committee’s ability to identify organizations and causes in need of support.
“It really speaks to our core values,” Jenny said. “For me, when I go to an event or cause I’m passionate about and I see my company has made a donation, I’m proud of that. And I’m proud that all of us as employee owners get to be part of it.”
Community Giving Chair
Jenny Hughes, HOMELINK
Each quarter, the VGM Community Giving committee selects organizations and makes a charitable donation. It’s part of VGM’s ongoing commitment to support the communities our employee owners call home. And for Jenny, it was a calling she couldn’t say no to.
“I can’t help myself,” Jenny said. “I see the need and the impact, and I just want to help. But I think my favorite part of joining the committee is it’s a chance to learn more about my own community, to really be a part of it, and to connect with others.”
Employee Ownership Ambassador Chair
Heather Johnson, VGM Education
Employee ownership is at the center of both our culture and our success at VGM. But what does employee ownership mean?
The Employee Ownership Ambassadors are here to help their peers answer that very question.
“It can be a complicated question,” Heather said. “And the answer to that might change for each person throughout their career. As Ambassadors, we really just try to share the excitement of being an employee owner, help answer questions, and provide resources.”
Typically, Ambassadors serve one three-year term. However, having served as co-chair in 2023 and 2024, Heather extended her term by a year just to help with the transitions. Now, she has one more question…
“Do I have to leave?” she asked. “I started with the Ambassadors because I wanted to learn. I’m in a smaller business unit, and I wanted to understand VGM. Now, I’ve built connections with employee owners throughout the company and with other employee-owned companies. It’s been amazing. Fortunately, I have plenty of other groups I can join. I kind of have my eye on Community Giving after this.”
“AS AMBASSADORS, WE REALLY JUST TRY TO SHARE THE EXCITEMENT OF BEING AN EMPLOYEE OWNER, HELP ANSWER QUESTIONS, AND PROVIDE RESOURCES.”
“I LOVE TO SHARE THE STORY OF VGM AND THE HARD WORK OF OUR EMPLOYEE OWNERS…ALSO, IF YOU KNOW ME, YOU KNOW I LOVE TO TALK!”
VGM Journey Guide
Becca Mullenbach, VGM Insurance
You’ve likely seen throughout this publication, there is a lot going on at VGM. To help those visiting us understand the depth and breadth of VGM, there’s a guided tour of our headquarters we call: the VGM Journey. For Becca, who has served as a Journey Guide since 2022 (and will join Brynn Prier as co-chair of the Family Fund for 2025), it’s also a source of pride.
“At a company of our size, it is rare to find such a positive and inclusive culture,” Becca said. “I love to share the story of VGM and the hard work of our employee owners…Also, if you know me, you know I love to talk!”
She has a lot of great stories from her time as a Journey Guide, but there’s one thing Becca never gets tired of hearing.
“My favorite part of serving as a Journey guide is hearing the feedback from the guests,” Becca said. “ I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard someone say ‘That’s impressive. I want to be a VGM employee owner!’ It makes me proud of my company and the work my Journey team and I put into making it a memorable experience.”
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Chair
Amanda Nugent, VGM Fulfillment
At VGM, we’re committed to providing a workplace where everybody feels they belong, where they are welcome to be themselves, and where they are valued. The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) committee is a driving force behind those efforts, and Amanda, who now serves as Chair, has been with the group from the start.
“WE’RE LUCKY TO HAVE A WORKPLACE LIKE VGM THAT UNDERSTANDS THE VALUE OF BEING ABLE TO BE YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF AT WORK.”
“Like most things, we started out small,” Amanda said. “We had maybe seven people at the first meeting. And now we have…a lot. Our group is constantly growing, which shows how much people care about this initiative and making VGM a place where everyone feels they belong.”
The DEI committee regularly plans events and educational activities for employee owners, and encourages everyone to join.
“The journey always starts somewhere,” Amanda said. “I’m still learning, and DEI is perfect place to do that. It really is for everyone because it impacts all of us. And we’re lucky to have a workplace like VGM that understands the value of being able to be your authentic self at work.”
Chair of Fundraising Committee
Brynn Prier, VGM & Associates
The VGM Family Fund is an employee-funded program that pulls us together to assist a fellow employee owner. In 2024, employee owners donated $90,000 which is the highest ever raised in one year. To date, over $200,000 has been dispersed to support employee owners in true need.
“I’ve always had a passion and calling to help others,” Brynn said. “The VGM Family fund is a uniquely powerful and uplifting program at our company. I feel so proud and grateful to work for a company full of employee owners who have each other’s backs in times of need.”
To help raise funds and awareness for the Family Fund, Brynn and her committee members plan several events, but one holds a special place for her: Pizza, Puzzles, and Pints.
“I attended a Pizza, Puzzles, and Pints event for the first time a couple of years ago and fell in love with it,” Brynn said. “I knew we had to find a way to turn it into a giveback event, and now it is one of the most anticipated fundraisers of the year!”
“THE VGM FAMILY FUND IS A UNIQUELY POWERFUL
2024 was a record-breaking year for VGM, and that success is driven by our employee owners. They’re the ones that make it possible—leading to some of the best years for many of VGM’s business units.
VGM Fulfillment
Fulfillment saw a revenue increase of 32% for 2024, bringing on major partnerships with many recognizable names in the CPAP industry, such as Apria, Adapt Health, and Rotech. Managers across locations put out praise for many of the warehouse workers.
REVENUE INCREASED
VGM Insurance
In total, VGM Insurance brought in over 1,000 new customers during 2024, equating to bout five new customers per business day! And for the most part, many of these new customers’ first contact is with the Customer Support Team—which were recognized as finalists for the Cheer Each Other On award at the 2024 VGM Awards.
1,000 NEW CUSTOMERS
“This team is truly the backbone of the company!” said Emily McCormack. “They are the first point of contact for customers, ensuring their every need is met with excellence and the highest level of care. Their ability to adapt to and embrace new challenges exemplifies unparalleled collaboration, cohesiveness, and teamwork.”
“Gabriela Robles joined Fulfillment in 2020 and has since become an invaluable member of our team. As a specialty picker, she handles CGM orders and priority orders with exceptional care and dedication. Gabriela’s commitment to quality and efficiency is truly outstanding. We are grateful for her hard work and excellence.”
MARIELLYS GUTIERREZ, PHOENIX WAREHOUSE MANAGER
“ Donyale Henderson is eager to learn and grow with VGM. He is always working hard and there to lend a helping hand when needed.”
QUINN RONEK, TENNESSEE WAREHOUSE MANAGER
“Abriam Henson, So U, and Ben Crandal go above and beyond the job duties given to them. They excel in their duties while elevating those around them to excel in their own right.”
STEPHEN KOHLMEYER, WATERLOO WAREHOUSE MANAGER
United Publications
United Publications had one of their most successful years on record for 2024, along with a huge increase of attendance at the HME News Business Summit. Christina Throndson, Business Manager, attributes this success to the entire UPI team.
MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR
“To name specific employee owners that drove our success in 2024 would be impossible,” said Christina. “The entire United Publications team should be commended for their hard work and dedication. Everyone played a crucial role, leading to one of our best years on record.”
HOMELINK
HOMELINK’s big initiative for 2024 was to push to accomplish more across the board—this initiative was aptly named, Finish More In ’24. And it worked! HOMELINK saw an impressive 11% growth in revenue. Matthew Stoychoff, Senior Patient Care Coordinator, provides insight into his work at HOMELINK and what motivates employee owners like him.
“I believe in the future of this company,” said Matthew. “I’m truly unable to put into words what my employee ownership means to me—the best I can do is ‘pride.’ I’m proud to be an employee owner.”
REVENUE INCREASED 11%
Two Rivers Marketing
In 2024, Two Rivers Marketing expanded many of their current partnerships, including Pioneer, Mack Trucks, and Volvo, leading to a few record-breaking months during periods that historically are considered “lighter.” Jeff Fisher, Creative Director, explains what goes into making these kinds of partnerships a success.
“I think of empowerment at VGM as similar to creating art,” said Jeff. “Our processes, our people, and our tech are like an artist’s canvas, colors, and brushes. We’re provided the tools and spaces to bring ideas to life, but no one tells us what to paint. As our ideas come to life, they’re supported—and challenged—in really productive ways. It all makes creating the work just as rewarding as finishing it.”
VGM & Associates
2024 was a pivotal year for VGM & Associates, setting the stage for what the next decade could look like while focusing on leveraging relationships, expertise, and focusing on technology. Krista McNurlen, SVP Business Operations, named a few employee owners that helped raise the bar in 2024.
“ Lacey McCauley and CJ Eichenberger are pivotal in tracking and finding our hard-earned revenue,” said Krista.
“ Ted Metcalf hasn’t been with us long, but he constantly pushes himself and his team to achieve more. Lastly, we are lucky enough to have an employee owner who, despite her workload or daily challenges, always finds a way to smile and serve as a ray of sunshine personified—Denise Doyle keeps all our spirits up.”
Supporting And Protecting The Healthcare Industry PROTECTOUR
2024 was a record-breaking year for VGM Group. However, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t without its challenges. One, in particular, everyone in the healthcare industry will remember: the cyberattack on Change Healthcare.
As it has time and time again, VGM responded by doing what it does best—bringing people together to provide a solution. It’s why VGM has been an industry leader for nearly 40 years.
COMPANY
The First Sign
On Feb. 21, 2024, Change Healthcare, a billing clearinghouse widely used by healthcare providers to electronically submit claims, shut down their entire network after discovering someone had gained unauthorized access to their systems. The impact was felt across the entire industry, and Change Healthcare’s website was bombarded with outage notifications. Alvaro Elizalde of HOMELINK, a business unit within VGM Group that helps coordinate care for over 30 million patients annually, noticed early on.
“ALVARO SAW THAT THE BILLING VOLUME IN HOMELINK WAS WAY DOWN. HE BROUGHT IT TO HIS LEADERS AND SAID, ‘WE NEED TO ESCALATE THIS.’”
“Alvaro saw that the billing volume in HOMELINK was way down,” said Matt Waller, President of HOMELINK. “He understood that this was a significant issue, not only for at VGM, but potentially for the industry. He brought it to his leaders and said, ‘We need to escalate this.’”
Alvaro, who was recently recognized as the Protect Our Company Award winner at VGM’s annual Awards Ceremony, was right. This issue was much larger than HOMELINK or VGM.
“It was as though a utility pole was taken out,” said John Unsen, Senior Vice President of Systems with HOMELINK. “Change Healthcare is a hub for billions of transactions each year in the healthcare space. When they shut their network down—which they were right to do—it left a lot of people and businesses in the dark.”
VGM Responds
The news spread quickly and, with so many impacted, well beyond the usual industry trade publications. National news outlets began to cover the developing story. Meanwhile, VGM was busy getting to work.
“When you have an incident of this scale and this level of organization, there’s so much confusion that a lot of people and organizations kind of freeze,” said Jeremy Kauten, Chief Information Officer for VGM Group. “Many will adopt a ‘wait and see’ mentality. That’s not really VGM’s culture, though.”
VGM wasted no time pulling together a team, and because healthcare is the core industry served by VGM, the team included nearly every business unit. From HOMELINK to VGM & Associates, VGM Insurance to Forbin, and numerous corporate shared services including the IT and compliance teams, everyone had a role to play.
“One positive thing that comes out of a crisis like this is seeing how people work together,” said Unsen. “That’s the magic of VGM. When we go, we go together. Most customers work with one, maybe two business units, day to day. Situations like this remind them just how far VGM’s expertise and support for our partners extend.”
“THAT’S THE MAGIC OF VGM. WHEN WE GO, WE GO TOGETHER. SITUATIONS LIKE THIS SHOW JUST HOW FAR VGM’S EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT FOR OUR PARTNERS EXTEND.”
HOMELINK, fortunately, already had alternative routing options available through existing partnerships. Scott Weston, now with VGM Corporate IT, had set up this network when he was at HOMELINK.
“I insisted that we partner with multiple clearinghouses, primarily with growth in mind,” Weston said. “We’re always evolving to meet customer and patient needs, so you have to have a structure in place to be able to scale up. A positive side effect of that is that you have business continuity baked in.”
VGM went about contacting our customers and partners, letting them know we had alternatives available while Change Healthcare worked diligently to get back online. No one was sure how long it would be, but VGM wanted to ensure providers and their patients were take care of.
“VGM has always put relationships first,” said VGM Group CEO Jeremy Stolz. “Given the situation, I know our customers’ and partners’ already precious time was at even more of a premium. But when we called to offer support, they picked up. That’s a testament to why relationships matter. They’re why we can accomplish great things, by working together.”
“WE’LL DO EVERYTHING WITHIN OUR POWER TO OFFER SUPPORT AND ENSURE PATIENTS RECEIVE THE QUALITY OF CARE THEY DESERVE.”
We’re Here To Stay
In January 2025, we learned that this attack impacted upwards of 190 million, or nearly 1 in 2, American patients. With that large a toll, the Change Healthcare incident serves as a stark reminder that anyone, no matter how big or small, can be a victim of a cyberattack.
“We live in a world where the next big cyberattack could happen at any moment,” said VGM Chief Information Security Officer Ryan Wood. “Paradigm shifts in security and awareness will happen faster
than ever. We all need to be nimble to prepare and respond to these threats. The Change Healthcare incident reminds us all, however, that we’re stronger together. And VGM is here to help.”
“We have a vested interest in the success and safety of this industry,” Stolz added. “It’s where we’ve made our home. And we’ll do everything within our power to offer support and ensure patients receive the quality of care they deserve.”
Congratulations 2024 VGM Award Winners
Our employee owners drive our company’s success. From leading the charge for AI adoption to making work just a little more fun, each of these employee owners went above and beyond in 2024. They are proof of the Power Of One, that one person can have a positive impact on our customers, our company, and each other. Thank you being a shining example of VGM’s culture and for continuing to execute with excellence for those we serve.
CREATEYOUR FUTURE
Emily Southall
VGM & ASSOCIATES
Employee Owner Since 2022
FINDTHEFUN INYOURDAY
Jenn Alpers
VGM FULFILLMENT
Employee Owner Since 1999
PROTECTOUR COMPANY
Employee Owner Since 2013
FINDTHEFUN INYOURDAY WELCOME CHANGE
Amanda Bovy
HOMELINK
Employee Owner Since 2010
CHEEREACH OTHERON HOMELINK AI Contact Engine Team
Kandace
Forster, Bryan Tonne, Stacy Palmer, Amanda Bovy, Tina Blitsch, Tiffany Minkle, Chidi Umeh, Karrie Niedert, Nate Falk
DIFFERENCE
Michael Lima
VGM FULFILLMENT
Employee Owner Since 2021
Jackie Wagner
Employee Owner Since 2018
VAN G. MILLER EMPLOYEE OWNER OF THE YEAR
Kevin Mishler
FACILITY SERVICES
Employee Owner Since 1989
Recognition
2024 was a record year at VGM and not just financially. Today, we are more connected as employee owners than we’ve ever been. This is the real power of our ownership culture—of everyone working toward a common goal. And we are grateful to see both our employee owners and the communities we call home recognize the difference ownership makes. Current Survey
VGM ENGAGEMENT SCORES ARE 10 POINTS HIGHER THAN COMPANIES OF SIMILAR SIZE.
2024
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
2024, 2023, 2022
EMPLOYERS
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
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Headquartered in Waterloo, Iowa, VGM is a 100% employee-owned company providing business and professional services to thousands of business customers across North America. Services include group purchasing, commercial insurance, management of healthcare services and networks in post-acute cases, healthcare distribution direct to patient homes, specialty consulting, online education, digital, print, and traditional marketing and more. VGM employs more than 1600 people across the U.S. and Canada, with more than 1,100 working in Iowa. VGM has been named the Top Workplace in Iowa on multiple occasions and is proud of its role in the communities in which it serves. For more information, visit www.vgmgroup.com.