The Business Record has named Jeff Vogts as the 2024 Dentons Davis Brown Human Resources Professional of the Year. Vogts is the vice president of human resources, talent development and business excellence at Grinnell Mutual.

The award, launched by the Business Record in 2020, is designed to highlight an outstanding HR professional from Central Iowa for their professional accomplishments and community engagement.

Nicolle Smith, assistant vice president of benefits at Grinnell Mutual, nominated Vogts for the award.

“As his direct report, Jeff guides us to do what is right, be transparent with all appropriate parties, and work towards the best interest of our employees. If we do this, it will all fall into place,” Smith wrote in her nomination. “This sets the precedent on how we manage our departments. I feel so fortunate to be led by a leader like Jeff. Over the last eight years of working with him, I have not only grown in my career, but I have also grown as a person.”

Vogts earned his bachelor’s degree in business management with a focus in human resources management from Central College in Pella, and his master’s degree in human resources and employment relations from Penn State. He serves on the Iowa Senior Human Resources Association Board and most recently joined the board of the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame.

Vogts has also been a leader in his community, both individually and through organizations. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of Grinnell Mutual’s Care and Share program, a 501(c)(3) organization that allows employees and Grinnell Mutual to financially contribute to a fund that supports employees who are in need.Since the program’s inception in 2018, Grinnell Mutual has helped 96 employees and their families by donating more than $400,000.

Vogts organized a group to serve with Habitat for Humanity and volunteered his time with the derecho cleanup in 2020 and most recently at a Greenfield, Iowa, cleanup after a tornado devastated the town in May. He also volunteers at Meals for the Heartland.

Vogts joined Grinnell Mutual in April 2016. He was previously senior director of human resources at Kinze Manufacturing Inc. from Aug. 2013 to April 2016.

“Above all of Jeff’s accomplishments in his career, community, and industry do not compare to his commitment to his family,” the nomination says. “He and his wife, Bethany, have four daughters: Heidi, Lauren, Hannah and Lilly.”

Vogts will receive the award during the Business Record’s Jobs virtual Outlook panel discussion scheduled for noon on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Past honorees:
2023 – Jessica Meisner, vice president of human resources at UnityPoint Health.
2022 – Monica Friedman, executive vice president and chief human resources officer of Des Moines-based Life Care Services Corp.
2021 – Jennifer Bryant, then-executive vice president and chief human resources officer at American Equity
2020 – Beth Nigut, executive vice president and chief people officer at EMC Insurance Cos.