Davidson, NC (January 24, 2010) - The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, with 1,100 business members in the Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, and greater Lake Norman region recognized the VanWingerden family of Metrolina Greenhouses in Huntersville as the Robert T. Cashion Business Person(s) of the Year for 2009. Denis Bilodeau, President of Aquesta Insurance Services Inc. and the recipient of the 2008 award, presented the recognition to Metrolina CEO Abe VanWingerden at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet held at River Run Country Club in Davidson.

Bilodeau recognized Metrolina founder and patriarch Tom VanWingerden who tragically passed away this December in an accident. Bilodeau, speaking on behalf of the chamber of commerce recognized the expansion and impact the company has had on the Lake Norman region. Metrolina Greenhouses employs over 600 full-time employees and 200 part-time employees and was named Lowe’s Vender of the Year in both 2005 and 2009. According to Bilodeau, Metrolina is in the final stages of a three-year expansion to 150 acres from 100, at an investment of $1 million per acre. This expansion has added over 150-200 new jobs in the last 3 years. The new expansion, which will be completed next month, will span 5.8 million square feet.

In accepting the award, Abe VanWingerden recognized other members of the family who take an active role in the management and operations of the business including brother Art who is also the CEO and Helen Johnson, Michael VanWingerden, Rose Karaffa, Thomas VanWingerden, and Vickie VanWingerden (Tom VanWingerden’s widow).

VanWingerden inspired the 200 Chamber Members attending the Annual Meeting by touching on the relief efforts Metrolina Greenhouses was undertaking in Haiti through their “Double Harvest” project. The Huntersville based company has assisted in providing fuel, clean drinking water, medical assistance , and other support to the stricken country and its people. VanWingerden stated that anyone who wished to make a contribution to the relief efforts could do so by visiting www.DoubleHarvest.org

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