Express Seed Company mourns David van Wingerden passing
Express Seed Company has announced that its brother, friend and co-worker, David van Wingerden, passed away on Jan. 15, 2024 after a 19-month battle with leukemia.
“On behalf of our family, management team, and employees, we extend our deepest sympathies to David’s family. David was a devoted figure who brought passion, stewardship and energy in horticulture to Express Seed Company, its suppliers, and its customers,” Express Seed Company said in a press release.
Growing up alongside his siblings in the greenhouse business founded by his father, John van Wingerden, Wingerden developed a love for the horticultural industry early on and recognized the importance of vertical integration within this industry’s global supply chain. He, along with the team at Express Seed, was a conduit for long-lasting global business relationships that will continue to connect growers in North America to best-in-class plant varieties, genetics and production worldwide.
Wingerden began his career in the family companies in 1997 at Green Circle Growers. He eventually made the switch to Express Seed and became COO in 2006. More recently he took on the additional role of CIO.
David always said that one of the secrets to success is rooted within strong relationships that drive the best value from the entire supply chain. He pursued this vision relentlessly.
“The horticultural industry has suffered a great loss in David’s passing. We will honor his memory and contributions by continuing to carry on his compelling passion, dedication and energy to serving the horticultural industry,” Scott Valentine, CEO of Express Seed said.
“We’ve lost a son, brother, friend, and fellow business partner. This is a sorrowful time after his courageous battle against leukemia. We will miss him dearly. We thank everyone who has supported David and his family during his 19-month battle with leukemia,” John van Wingerden, CJ van Wingerden and Scott Giesbrecht shared.
David van WIngerden’s obituary can be viewed online.
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