A family legacy continued

Since the dawn of man, sibling rivalry has been a bringer of joy, loyalty and sometimes mayhem. And many don’t have to look further than our own families to relive all the pranks, hair-pulling, and protection that only a brother or sister could bring. Chatting with brother-sister team, Jason Andringa and Mindi Vanden Bosch from their Vermeer Corporation conference room, their siblinghood feels nothing like that. Their banter felt effortless and enjoyable, entirely foregoing childhood mischief, aligning them instead to work together every day of the week.��

Recalling their adolescence, Mindi said, “We always spent a lot of time together, particularly once we were old enough to be at home on our own. While our parents were at work, we both did a lot of summer sports. We would ride our bikes together, to practice or games. We’d sit in the grass or bleachers and watch each other, and then ride to the next. We really didn’t fight.”

Noting their special bond, was it hard for her when Jason left their Pella, Iowa home and headed off to college in Grand Rapids, Michigan?��

“It was definitely an adjustment,” Mindi remembers, “there was a void without him! But I had my basketball, which definitely helped.” As a notable aside, Mindi’s competitive spirit, athleticism and love of basketball earned her a spot on the Calvin basketball team and she would go on to receive multiple MIAA awards for her skills on the court. The same discipline, focus and teamwork that garnered her recognition with the Calvin Knights, also galvanized her mindset for the corporate world.��

Solo Journeys on a Path Well-Traveled��

It may have helped that the duo was a part of a legacy of family members whose adult lives would keep them united personally and professionally. Jason and Mindi are third generation family members leading Vermeer Corporation. In the same light, they join many across Vermeer generations who shaped their professional preparedness through �鶹��.

The summer after high school, Jason had not fully decided his official major. By the time he zeroed in on mechanical engineering, he discovered that the classes he needed were full.

“Mechanical engineering is not a path where you can pick and choose classes, it is a very precise path, so I was in a bind.” Fortunately, with some help from then Dean-of-Men, Don Boender, he was able to help Jason eagerly launch into college life. “I remember my mom wanted to talk every day at first. But I wanted to be on my own, all-in, so we decided to only chat once a week."

During his freshman and sophomore summers, Andringa pursued a very adventurous and unique sort of opportunity. Flying a float plane for his grandparents’ northern fish camp. At that, Mindi jumped in. “I remember the last time we were at Grandma and Grandpa’s fish camp, and you and I had eight hours to fly with multiple stops.”

That flight took place when Jason was 18-years old. His fearlessness becomes clearer when he shares that he started learning to fly with his grandfather at age 15. Perhaps even more impressive and a testament to Jason’s trustworthiness, is that Mindi was unafraid and had complete confidence as they embarked on that journey home that summer.��

Two years later, Mindi would join her brother at Calvin. “I had worked summers at Vermeer in marketing, so it was always my plan to eventually end up at Vermeer.” That, and basketball, her passion. “It was great to see Jason, and when you play a sport, you meet people right away. And we were dominant in our division! Dorm life was great, we had good times at Eldersveld and I’m still friends with some of the girls I met in the dorm today.”

Deep Roots to Grow on

Jason summed up his Calvin experience. “This is missed by some, but there is so much value in a liberal arts education. It prepares you for the day-to-day. I came out with a well-rounded education. I was prepared to think outside the box. You may not think you need critical thinking, but you do. Calvin develops who you are.”��

Mindi added. “The rigorous academics helped prepare us for the future. It’s also important to think about your values and beliefs. My parents told us to think about who you are surrounding yourself with – you are likely to meet lifelong friends, even a spouse, so choose a school where you can expand, while nurturing your beliefs with others who understand your foundation. That was great advice. We still get together with six families from our Calvin days. The relationships endured because we shared a faith-base and values.”

Both met their spouses at Calvin and then each spent additional years (as part of the requirements for family members who want to work at Vermeer) worked for other companies and pursued graduate degrees. It may sound neat and tidy, all wrapped up, but Jason and Mindi attribute their smooth ride to the expectation of hard work and integrity, first at home, and then at Calvin.��

Carry the Torch High

Jason said, “Coming out of Calvin, I was well prepared in writing, interpersonal skills and I had learned how to ‘go find the answer.’ I was also able to persevere. When I was nearing graduation and pursuing work opportunities, I was an engineer and I wanted to be an astronaut. So, I set my sights on Johnson Space Program”

Jason and Mindi both pursued their early careers with work outside Pella, and grad school. ��And when it was time, they each brought their families home to Pella, bringing a new generation of visionary leadership to Vermeer.��

What are they are most proud of as their full-circle quest continues to evolve? Jason readily answers, “Getting Vermeer through three major challenges in the last five years. A tornado in 2018 took out a third of our operations. In 2020, Covid was a challenge of uncertainty and ever since, the supply chain and work force crisis has only escalated. But I’m proud of how we reacted to each disaster, and how our action proved that we can overcome.” His assistant chimed in, “Our respect for Jason and our leadership team—they were already loved—but he took a defining role in uniting our company and getting us back to work quickly. His handling in the face of these multiple tough times meant a lot to all of our employees.”

For Mindi’s favorite success coming out of Calvin her Knights basketball career was a richly rewarding gift, deeply building character and work ethic. “It was such a great experience. We went to the Elite 8 my senior year. I was shaped by our coaching and the team. I coach now and I tell my girls that you learn everything��being on a team; criticism, how to rally together, and how to get along. Everyone has strengths and everyone needs support. Everyone has different skills. Be excited about your teammate’s achievement. Push yourself for what you bring to your specialty. Don’t try to be someone else.”

Tomorrow is another day. And for this rare family’s strategic clarity whatever may come, one thing is clear: their faith foundation is truly unshakeable—and blessed.