WATERLOO, IOWA – The recently concluded Heartland Conference in Waterloo, Iowa, brought a healthy dose of wit, wisdom, and inspiration to the industry, with more than 900 people making their way to the hawkeye state last week.
“While attendance was down slightly from last year, we did have an increase in the number of VGM Member Companies who had never attended a conference,” said Christa Miehe, VP, Strategic Projects, VGM Corp. “Nearly 50 new companies attended this year, which represented more than 80 individuals. We saw lots of new faces.”
During last week’s conference, host Van G. Miller (pictured), CEO and founder of VGM Group Inc, was named one of the Upper Midwest EY (formerly Ernst and Young) Entrepreneurs of the Year. “I owe it all to the associates,” said Miller.
Since 2008, VGM has been a 100% employee-owned company. “Van well deserves this recognition. He thinks of those who work for his company first, and his community second. His consummate skill in managing talent and making hard decisions is evident to all who know him,” said Jim Walsh, president and general counsel of The VGM Group, and one of its original investors. “He frequently acknowledges that his associates are the ones who built the enterprise and that they should benefit from its success through the ESOP.”
van Halem Group Merges with VGM Group Inc
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Group Inc and The van Halem Group LLC have merged to create what VGM officials call an industry powerhouse dedicated to preventing and responding to audits.
“Our investment in the van Halem Group will allow them to expand their capabilities…Our members will benefit greatly from this association,” said Van G. Miller, CEO and founder of VGM Group. “This adds an array of mission-critical professional services we can offer all VGM Group Members in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.”
The group is now a division of VGM, and will remain at its corporate headquarters in Atlanta. “I am so proud of the reputation that my team at The van Halem Group has accomplished in the past eight years, and that was paramount in my decision to move forward with VGM, a company whose own stellar reputation supporting the medical equipment industry is unmatched,” said Wayne van Halem, president and founder of The van Halem Group, a position he will retain. “Together, The van Halem Group and VGM will make sure that our clients have the support that they need so they can continue providing quality care to their patients while maintaining compliance with complex regulatory issues.”