An Arkansas native, Carl’s unique professional background includes a diverse portfolio of private and public sector success spanning technology, healthcare, public policy and political organizations.
A certified network administrator who was recognized as one of the top sales executives in the country in highly competitive industries. His passion for the political process led to the creation of a firm that allowed him to blend the best of corporate and political strategies to help both private sector and political clients win.
He has led highly successful sales teams, campaign teams, and lean, high-performing public-sector teams. A common thread has tied these successes together – the ability to utilize emotional intelligence to derive insights from data-driven analytics to create individualized, one-on-one conversations regardless of the environment.
Before returning to the helm of Split Rail Consulting in 2017, he served as Chief of Staff to Arkansas’s Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.
His prior public service was as the Chief of Staff to former Congressman, and now Arkansas Lt. Governor, Tim Griffin (AR-2), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. He played a prominent role in advising on both Griffin and Rutledge’s successful bids for office, as well as other local, regional and statewide races.
Arkansas Business has recognized Carl as one of the most influential leaders in Arkansas politics.
Other news clips about Carl include:
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette High Profile
Food-loving former political consultant manages state attorney general’s office by day, tends crops and livestock nights and weekends
Arkansas Money and Politics 2017
“I sought a master’s degree in public administration because I thought I wanted to work in government or nonprofits,” Carl said. “Ironically, I decided that wasn’t for me so I began my professional career in sales for Eastman Kodak and have worked in the technology, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. I am a certified network administrator and taught network administration as a part-time job…..I had always been involved in campaigns and political organizations,” he said. “I have managed and worked on local, state and federal campaigns and have had the privilege of serving in leadership as Chief of Staff on the official staff for both Congressman (now Lt. Gov.) Tim Griffin and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.”
Arkansas Money and Politics 2022
“Carl founded Voter Vector, a regional political firm focused on providing data, analytics and strategic counsel to help candidates and campaigns connect with voters to win campaigns. While in the private sector, the successful campaigns of four of the seven of the state’s current constitutional officers have been Carl’s clients, as well as two of the four current congressmen and members of the Arkansas House and Senate. If that isn’t enough to fill a resume, Carl also founded Split Rail Consulting, a national firm that provides clients with tools and strategic vision to face the challenges of innovation of data, people and processes.”
“Kathy Webb and Carl Vogelpohl don’t always see eye to eye, but when it comes to lending a helping hand to their fellow Arkansans, these two are on the same team. Webb and Vogelpohl first joined forces to co-chair the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas annual Power of the Purse event, and now are speaking out on the importance of Giving Tuesday, the international day devoted to philanthropy, on Nov. 28.”
“We want them to be successful as people — it’s not just that I want you to do well in a team sport, I want you to be a good teammate,” he said. “I don’t care if you win at the game, I care that you try hard and have the right attitude. Those are the kind of expectations that we set right now and stress to them … And they know they can expect unconditional love from us.”
“Arkansans see a need and are generous and want to fill it,” Carl says. “That’s great, but being connected across the state through an alliance or a larger program really benefits because there are some shared experiences, shared knowledge of, ‘Who can we connect with resources to bring those programs together?’ Working cooperatively makes a big difference.