David Shaw, longtime WGA employee, dies at 59
David Shaw, longtime WGA employee, dies at 59
David Shaw, a 28-year employee of Western Growers Association, died April 3 after a massive heart attack, four days shy of his 60th birthday.
Mr. Shaw joined WGA in 1979 as cash manager and was promoted to vice president two years later, with oversight over all treasury functions of the association and its affiliate entities' fixed-income investments, which are approaching $1 billion. He consistently exceeded the benchmark indeces against which he was measured and provided significant incremental returns to enhance WGA's cash flow and bottom line.
Several years ago, Mr. Shaw envisioned and was instrumental in creating a full-service brokerage firm to assist association members in managing their own personal and business portfolios at a reduced cost. This subsidiary has been growing significantly each year and was profitable from its inception. Mr. Shaw was a member of the U.S. Armed Services in the late 1960s and, in fact, was a 20-year-old seaman on the USS Liberty in June 1967 when the U.S. intelligence ship was mistakenly attacked by Israeli fighter pilots during their six-day war. Thirty-four crew members of the USS Liberty died that day. Mr. Shaw was wounded during the attack and received a Purple Heart.
WGA President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Nassif said, "Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers go out to Dave's wife, Maria, and to his family in California and Maine. While I am extremely saddened by Dave's untimely passing, I find some comfort in knowing that Dave is now in God's tender and loving embrace. Those of us who worked closely with Dave have nothing but loving and lasting fond memories of him - his intelligence, generosity, humor, his wit, and, yes, even his own unique language and vocabulary. Dave will be sorely missed by all of us and by the Western Growers family of members and board of directors. He was truly one of a kind."
Mr. Shaw is survived by his wife, Maria. A memorial service was held on April 9.
Mr. Shaw joined WGA in 1979 as cash manager and was promoted to vice president two years later, with oversight over all treasury functions of the association and its affiliate entities' fixed-income investments, which are approaching $1 billion. He consistently exceeded the benchmark indeces against which he was measured and provided significant incremental returns to enhance WGA's cash flow and bottom line.
Several years ago, Mr. Shaw envisioned and was instrumental in creating a full-service brokerage firm to assist association members in managing their own personal and business portfolios at a reduced cost. This subsidiary has been growing significantly each year and was profitable from its inception. Mr. Shaw was a member of the U.S. Armed Services in the late 1960s and, in fact, was a 20-year-old seaman on the USS Liberty in June 1967 when the U.S. intelligence ship was mistakenly attacked by Israeli fighter pilots during their six-day war. Thirty-four crew members of the USS Liberty died that day. Mr. Shaw was wounded during the attack and received a Purple Heart.
WGA President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Nassif said, "Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers go out to Dave's wife, Maria, and to his family in California and Maine. While I am extremely saddened by Dave's untimely passing, I find some comfort in knowing that Dave is now in God's tender and loving embrace. Those of us who worked closely with Dave have nothing but loving and lasting fond memories of him - his intelligence, generosity, humor, his wit, and, yes, even his own unique language and vocabulary. Dave will be sorely missed by all of us and by the Western Growers family of members and board of directors. He was truly one of a kind."
Mr. Shaw is survived by his wife, Maria. A memorial service was held on April 9.
