In 1991, Bob Vogt co-founded Guide Book Publishing (GBP) with a simple but disruptive goal: to replace expensive, outdated photo directories with a fast, high-quality communication tool that was free to congregations. Under his leadership, GBP evolved from a home-based startup into a national powerhouse, rooted in the core value of providing “direct mail that stays.”
Bob’s commitment to excellence led him to bring printing in-house as early as 1993, a move that secured the quality control and rapid turnaround times that remain hallmarks of the company today. He famously steered GBP through the Great Recession of 2009 by doubling down on innovation—investing in digital printing and full-color capabilities when others were pulling back.
Today, Bob serves as a consultant to the leadership team he helped build. “It is comforting to know that the business I founded is in such good hands,” Bob says. “Our current management team brings over 50 years of collective GBP experience to the service of our customers.”
A life-long advocate for servant leadership, Bob remains highly active in Scouting at the national level, focusing on youth leadership development and religious relationships. When he isn’t consulting for GBP or traveling, he enjoys photography and serving in leadership roles within his church. His advice to the next generation remains clear: “Expect quality service of each other and don’t settle for anything less.”
Bob Vogt: revogt1@guidebookpublishing.com
Tenure: 35 years