Donald C. “Van” Van Pelt, Jr.

Donald C. Van Pelt, Jr. (Van) has spent his entire full-time career at Plymouth Tube Company, serving in various roles and in multiple facilities located across the United States. His first job was a Plant Engineer working in Pinson, Al, and over time he quickly advanced his career. Numerous titles held by Van included Maintenance and Production Supervisor, Quality Assurance Manager and Administrative Manager. In 1981, he became the Project Manager for a new, greenfield plant in Salisbury, MD. Production began in late 1982, and Van was later promoted to General Manager.

Van moved in 1989 to the headquarters office located in Warrenville, IL as Manager, Organization Development. By 1992, he assumed responsibility as a Group VP and later became an EVP. Van was elected to President and CEO in 1996, the fourth-generation head in the history of the company. In 2013 Van assumed the chairman’s role as well. Van retired late 2014 as President and CEO but retained the chairman’s role until 2021. Van rejoined Plymouth in late 2024 as the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and as President & CEO in August 2025.

Van has also served on two not-for-profit health systems that are now part of Northwestern Medicine.

Van received his BS ME from Cornell University. He went on and earned his JD from Vanderbilt University and received his EMBA from University of Chicago.