In connection with the General Meeting of Plantum, the Dutch association for plant reproduction material, on September 22 in Middelburg, NL, Gert van Straalen stepped down from his duties as chairman.
Gert van Straalen has chaired Plantum for the last three years and has been a board member for 10 years and, in recognition of his great dedication to the seed business, Gert was made an honorary member of Plantum.
At the end of the meeting, the Mayor of Waddinxveen, the city where Gert lives, took the stage and addressed Gert in a speech, complimenting him for his active role in various seed organisations in the Netherlands. This voluntary work has been performed next to Gert’s professional career in DLF and has played a major role in the development of the seed industry in the Netherlands.
The high point of the day was when Gert van Straalen was presented with the Officer’s cross of the Order of Oranje-Nassau. This exclusive order of chivalry had been granted by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and was presented in his name by the Mayor of Waddinxveen. In acknowledgement of this great honour, the 140 people present in the room gave Gert a long and well-deserved applause.
Gert and his wife Corrie both received congratulations and flowers from Peter de Bruijn and Adger Banken who represented the DLF Group, DLF BV, and Gert’s colleagues in the DLF Group Executive Management Board.