Michael Land, president of Portage-based Phadia US Inc., died Sunday when the Columbia Aircraft LC41 he was piloting crashed at about 1 p.m., after taking off from Tri-State Airport, in Huntington, W. Va. His 23-yaer-old son Drew also died in the crash.
Land was returning home to Michigan after visiting family with his wife and two sons over the July 4th weekend. Land and his elder son were returning their plane. Land is survived by his wife, Nancy and his son, Zach, who were returning to Michigan separately by car.
Land enjoyed a 20-year career with Phadia, during which time he ascended from a sales role to president of the company’s U.S. operations in 1996. His leadership drove Phadia’s U.S. growth by double digits in each of the past nine years. Michael’s leadership and impact were felt broadly across the marketplace and his efforts had a positive impact on patient care based on the growing utilization of in vitro allergy testing in the United States.
Magnus Lundberg, CEO of Phadia's Swedish parent company, Phadia AB, will lead the U.S. operations until a permanent successor to Land is named.
In commenting on the tragedy, Lundberg said, “The entire Phadia team mourns the loss of Michael Land, and our heart goes out to the Land family. Michael was a wonderful human being -- a hard working and visionary leader and devoted father and husband. His leadership, upbeat personality, and charisma will be sorely missed by everyone at Phadia.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident. Further details are expected as the investigation continues.
Phadia develops, manufactures and markets blood test systems to support the clinical diagnosis and monitoring of allergy, asthma and autoimmune diseases.
Moer at www.phadia.com or www.isitallergy.com.
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