David van de Velde
Founder & President
Luctor International – Van Gogh Vodka

A leader in the spirits industry, David van de Velde is the president and visionary behind Van Gogh Spirits, makers and worldwide importers of the award-winning Van Gogh® Vodka brand.

Today, Van Gogh Vodka produces the most super-premium flavored vodkas - 19 - of any brand worldwide.  The imported flavors include the trendsetting Espresso, Double Espresso®, and Acai-Blueberry®, complemented by the well known Dutch Chocolate, Pineapple, Pomegranate and Wild Appel Vodkas.

Van de Velde established Van Gogh Spirits in 1982 to import beer from his native Holland. In 1983, Luctor became the original U.S. importer of Ketel One vodka with van de Velde as co-founder of the brand. As one of the best-selling vodkas in the industry, Ketel One recently sold half of its brand for $900 million, an achievement born under the direction of Luctor International.

With the demand for high-end vodkas increasing, van de Velde began importing super-premium Van Gogh Vodka. One year later, he recognized a growing demand in the marketplace for flavored vodkas and sought to meet that demand when he introduced the five-star rated Van Gogh flavored vodkas.

Under van de Velde’s leadership, Van Gogh Spirits has grown into one of the most notable and innovative high-end spirits importers in the United States. Many of Van Gogh’s flavored vodkas have been recognized with either a four or five star rating.

Prior to founding Van Gogh Spirits, van de Velde was a ship officer and port captain for Holland America Line. A pioneer in the container shipping industry, he has also had successful careers in international transportation and aerospace technology.