Jack Van Namen (seated, center) was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in a ceremonial luncheon held at the Kennicott/Vans facility at Alsip, Illinois, in honor of his retirement. A number of friends and co-workers fondly expressed their memories of working with Jack throughout his career. Jack worked at Vans starting as a schoolboy and throughout his distinguished career, helping lead the company to national prominence. It was his leadership that resulted in the eventual merger of Vans Inc. with Kennicott Brothers Company in 2012. Jack also served the floral industry in a number of capacities, including membership on numerous committees of the Society of American Florists (SAF), as Trustee of the American Floral Endowment (AFE) and as President of the Wholesale Florist & Florist Suppliers Association (WF&FSA). Kennicott/Vans colleagues also shown in photo, from left: Katie Kennicott, John Van Namen, Gustavo Gilcrest, Harrison “Red” Kennicott III, Lenny Walker and Jack’s wife, Carolynn Van Namen. Read more.
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