VGM Group, Inc.

The Midwest ESOP Conference was held in Kansas City, Missouri, Sept. 18-20. VGM was lucky enough to have two employee owners present at the conference throughout the day: Mike McGill, Corporate Marketing and Events Specialist, and Barb Anderson, Chief Financial Officer. Those in attendance not only got to hear two amazing presentations from our employee owners, but also witnessed the expertise VGM offers when it comes to employee ownership and employee stock ownership plans.  

Our members and vendor partners go above and beyond, especially during challenging times. Your dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed. Thanks for all you do. We're here to support you every step of the way. #vgmlove

Brooke Kraft, vice president of talent management for Human Capital, and Lathan Ehlers, copywriter lead for Corporate Communications & Events, were fortunate enough to have child care set up by the time their daughter Viv, now 4 years old, was born. But when VGM announced the development of their own child care center, Brooke and Lathan knew they would be enrolling Viv—mainly because it’s closer to their home, but also because the VGM Child Care Center is an accredited facility. And it’s because of this new environment that Brooke says her daughter has come out of her shell. Viv now is quite the talker, and Brooke credits this to Viv interacting with children her own age and older. And on top of this, cost-wise, Brooke has said that the cost of the center is comparable to daycare centers around the Cedar Valley. To read more about Brooke and Lathan’s story, go to https://lnkd.in/gM5qpgJ8 The VGM On-Site Campus Child Care Center is operated by CUCCC. It is available to any child whose parent, legal guardian, grandparent, aunt, or uncle is an active VGM employee. 

Sept. 15-Oct. 15 is recognized as National Hispanic Heritage Month. And on Wednesday, Sept. 12, employee owners gathered for a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. They learned about the rich history and culture of many Latin American countries, while also enjoying some fun! Employee owners also had the opportunity to receive a T-shirt originally designed by Sergio Galindo. Sergio sadly passed away in June, and he was deeply passionate about his Hispanic heritage, and was a voice for diversity and equity here at VGM. It was his dream to one day see all VGM employee owners where these #vgmfamilia shirts. And we’re helping his memory and legacy live on. 

Have you ever wondered what it was like to own a company? Here at VGM, everyone is an owner! That’s right—when you work at VGM, you own the place. And with an ESOP, child care center, Earned Wage Access, and so much more, there’s a reason VGM has been consistently named an Employer of Choice in the Cedar Valley. Start your journey today at vgmgroup.com/careers.   

On Thursday, Sept. 12, VGM held a special Faith & Four Letter Words event at the VGM farm for over 170 employee owners. Faith & Four Letter Words was created by Amanda Goodman and Tara Thomas, and their goal is to help empower women through humor and raw honesty.  Thank you, Amanda and Tara, for treating us to impactful stories and the many laughs. To learn more about Amanda, Tara, and Faith & Four Letter words, visit https://lnkd.in/gCkvkVEC. 

It was a day full of wellness here at VGM on Wednesday. Our day began with the Health & Wellness Fair. 20 vendors from around the Cedar Valley came to VGM headquarters where employee owners could discover new ways of healthy living as well as make a few connections. A burrito bowl buffet was served for lunch by the local Chilito’s in Waterloo. And, employee owners had the opportunity to sign up to receive their flu shots to prepare for the upcoming flu season. Later in the day, VGM held our annual 5K where employee owners and their guests could choose to run or walk the course. Thank you to all of the vendors, volunteers, and employee owners who participated in our day of wellness!

Last week, our employee owners at Two Rivers Marketing in Des Moines enjoyed their Night at the Ballpark for an I-Cubs game. The Cubbies came out on top against the Louisville Bats with a 5-3 victory! Sounds like a perfect way to end the workday! 

Today, we remember those we lost on this day 23 years ago and honor the bravery of the first responders who answered the call. VGM’s building will be lit red, white, and blue in remembrance of the family, friends, and loved ones impacted. #neverforget 

September 10 is recognized nationwide as Hunger Action Day. And everyone can play a part in helping spread awareness. In Northeast Iowa alone, there are over 40,000 people, over 12,000 of which are children, who experience food insecurity. Every action can Make a Difference, whether that’s donating, volunteering, or just spreading the word around. To learn more about the cause, visit the Northeast Iowa Food Bank website at www.neifb.com. Tonight, in recognition of Hunger Action Day, VGM will light our building orange.