U.S. Chamber Presents Jay Van Andel with Dennis Sheehan Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce today announced that Jay Van Andel, co-founder of Amway Corp., is this year's recipient of the Dennis Sheehan Award. Van Andel was presented with the award at a meeting of the Chamber's Board of Directors in Washington for his lifelong commitment and service to the American business community.

Van Andel served as the Chamber's chairman from 1979-1980 and later as member of the Senior Council, from 1980-1985. Amway Corp. (now a subsidiary of the newly created Alticor, Inc.), has brought new opportunity and prosperity to over three million individual entrepreneurs worldwide. In addition, he has become one of the most recognizable faces in the business community.

"Jay Van Andel brought to the Chamber a unique entrepreneurial spirit and unshakable belief in opportunity and free enterprise," said outgoing Chairman Kelly Stanley. "His great service to this organization and to the business community on the whole makes him an honorable recipient of this award."

The award, named in honor of former Chamber chairman Dennis Sheehan, is given annually to the board member who best captures the late Mr. Sheehan's spirit and enthusiasm and goes beyond the call of duty in commitment and service to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The award winner receives an eagle, a symbol of character, strength and respect – qualities for which Dennis Sheehan was well known. The inaugural award was presented to the Sheehan family two years ago.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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