VGM Awards
Each November, nominations are open for VGM’s internal employee-owner awards program, the annual VGM Awards. All employees are encouraged to nominate their peers for recognition in one of six categories – Innovator, Out of the Box Thinker, Problem Solver, Ace of Initiative, Difference Maker, and The Van G. Miller Employee Owner of the Year Award. A selection committee of leaders choose finalists in December, and winners are announced in a formal awards ceremony each January.
The individuals and groups honored with VGM Awards are high achievers who go above and beyond their job descriptions to deliver meaningful, memorable service. They embody VGM’s Power of One Principles and represent our five reasons for doing business.
2021 VGM Award Winners
Innovator
Redstone Content Solutions, Emerson Project Team
Derek Anderson, Zachary Bunyard, Casey Feller, Andrew MacNamara, Jerran Simpson
Out of the Box Thinker
Greg Packer, U.S. Rehab
Problem Solver
Kelsey Burke, VGM Human Capital
Ace of Initiative
Noelle Lomas, HOMELINK
Difference Maker
Juan Reyes, VGM Fulfillment, Pennsylvania
Employee Owner of the Year
Emily McCormack, VGM Insurance
Watch their heartfelt acceptance speeches during the 2022 VGM Awards Ceremony.
VGM Award Categories
INNOVATOR
- Looks for different and better ways
- Adequate work isn’t good enough; seeks the grand slam
- Introduces new methods and ways of thinking
OUT OF THE BOX THINKER
- This person is a creative thinker
- Looks at a problem and sees a different solution
- Displays ingenuity in anticipating and meeting unexpected situations
- Fosters a curiosity for innovative possibilities
PROBLEM SOLVER
- This person is fearless and courageous
- Takes risks in order to take a team in a new direction
- Ensures that risk taking is in the best interest of the entire organization
- Doesn’t shy away from a problem
- Takes advantage of all opportunities to learn from mistakes
ACE OF INITIATIVE
- This person regularly maintains a high level of readiness for action
- Displays maximum drive to perform and excel at job responsibilities
- Offers many unsought suggestions for improving the business
- Proven ability to transfer vision into reality
DIFFERENCE MAKER
- This person excels at quiet daily management of the details
- Makes everything go smoothly for everyone else
- Consistently anticipates others’ needs
- Performs with accuracy, thoroughness, and effectiveness
VAN G. MILLER EMPLOYEE OWNER OF THE YEAR
- This person exemplifies VGM culture and values characterized by a family ownership mentality. They’re hard-working, servant-minded, determined, and humble.
- This person is one who showcased one or more of these characteristics through their work in 2021. They demonstrate attributes that every employee owner could learn from.
- This person is considered to be among the “best of the best” and is well-respected by colleagues and management.