VGM Co-Founder Jim Walsh Dies; New CEO Announced

WATERLOO, Iowa—On Monday, Oct. 16 VGM Group, Inc. announced both the passing of the company co-founder and board chairman, Jim Walsh as well as a series of planned leadership transitions expected to take place in the coming months.

Remembering Jim Walsh

According to VGM, Walsh died of natural causes in his home on Thursday, Oct. 12, surrounded by his family. He was 74.

Walsh was born in Chicago to a large Irish Catholic family and developed a strong work ethic at a young age before attending University of Illinois—Chicago. He went on to receive his law degree from Loyola University.

Walsh moved to the Cedar Valley in 1975, following his wife Linda, who was an associate professor of psychology at the University of Northern Iowa. Walsh became a successful trial lawyer as well as good friends and partners with Van G. Miller. Walsh and Miller, along with their friend, John Deery, founded VGM & Associates in 1986, following building plans that began as scribbles on a cocktail napkin.

As VGM grew, Walsh continued to practice law at Clark Butler Walsh and Hamman Law Firm. He also became corporate counsel for the City of Waterloo, serving five mayors and 20 city councils. His “hobby” of renovating downtown Waterloo properties became JSA Development in 2001, now with over 35 properties downtown.

Ten years after his initial investment, Walsh became VGM’s corporate counsel, a director of all its companies, and a frequent resource and consultant to members of VGM-sponsored companies. He was also one of three co-trustees who serve as the governing board for VGM’s employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Walsh retired from his role as corporate counsel at the end of 2021. He remained board chairman and a trustee, with plans to retire from those roles at the end of 2023.

In 2022, Walsh received the Van Miller Homecare Champion award from AAHomecare. This honor, named after his VGM co-founder, recognizes Walsh’s longstanding record of service in the home care community and his spirit of caring and generosity.

Walsh’s community involvement included being a charter member of the Waterloo Development Corporation and serving on boards such as Healthcare Quality Association of Accreditation (HQAA), Waterloo Expo Services Corporation, Waterloo Telecom Partners, Cedar Valley Community Health Care, Waterloo Community Playhouse, and Waterloo Community Foundation. He was a Fellow of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Outside of VGM, Walsh was perhaps best known for being the founder of the Cedar Valley Irish Cultural Association, which sponsors the annual Iowa Irish Fest. Now in its 18th year, the Iowa Irish Fest is a premier cultural event that attracts nearly 50,000 visitors to Waterloo each August.

“Jim has been part of the heart and soul of VGM since its inception,” said CEO Mike Mallaro. “He has been central to the VGM family and a visionary leader. His impact—not only on our company, but on the entire industry—has been tremendous. Our members, vendors, employee owners, and customers will all feel his loss.”

Walsh is survived by his wife, Linda; his three daughters, Annie, Sarah and Jennifer; and three grandchildren. Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21, from 4-8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 22, from 1-5 p.m. at Locke at Tower Park. A private family service will be held on Monday, Oct. 23. Locke Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.

“While we are shocked and saddened by Jim’s passing, we assure our VGM communities that business will not be interrupted. We encourage anyone with questions or concerns to reach out to their primary VGM contact for information,” Mallaro said. “VGM will celebrate Jim’s life and legacy by renaming the theater on our main campus in his honor. Details will be coming soon. Meanwhile, our sincerest condolences go out to Linda and Jim’s whole family.”

Leadership Transition

In January 2024, current VGM CEO Mike Mallaro will move to a new role as executive chairman of the Board. Jeremy Stolz, who currently serves as president of VGM Fulfillment and VGM & Associates, will take over as CEO of VGM Group, Inc. Jim Walsh, one of VGM’s co-founders, served as a trustee and chairman of the Board until his passing on Oct. 12, 2023. He had planned to retire from those roles at the end of the year.

These changes are part of a multi-year leadership transition plan.

“VGM has always been focused on our members, our vendor partners, our industry, and our employee-owners. A thoughtful and strategic leadership transition process is an important investment in our future,” said Mallaro, who joined VGM in 2001 as CFO and has served as its CEO for the past eight years. “During our thorough succession and search process, Jeremy emerged as the ideal candidate to lead our company forward.”

Stolz has been with VGM for more than 20 years and will be the third CEO in the company’s history. He launched VGM Fulfillment in 2009, becoming president of the division in 2017. Under his leadership, VGM Fulfillment grew to become one of VGM’s largest divisions and a key player in the CPAP resupply business. Stolz has also been President of the VGM & Associates division since summer of 2022.

“Jeremy is an influential leader in the home medical equipment industry,” Mallaro said. “His leadership capabilities, integrity, business acumen, and deep experience make him uniquely positioned to build on our past achievements and guide us toward an even brighter future.”

“I am honored to be able to serve VGM Group and the HME industry,” Stolz said. “Change, especially in our industry, is constant. One thing I can assure you will never change is VGM’s commitment to supporting the HME industry that provides invaluable care to our most vulnerable population. I, along with our more than 1,500 employee owners across VGM, are here to serve you.”

VGM Group will soon begin the search to fill both roles Stolz is vacating. The ideal candidates will be proven leaders within the HME industry. Both internal and external applicants will be considered. To learn more about VGM and the industries it serves, visit vgmgroup.com.