The People Behind

CEO

Jason De Weerd

Following in my father’s footsteps, this journey has also led to joining the mission to empower elderly people to live life to the fullest.

A creative and hands-on leader with extensive experience in designing ergonomic furniture. My work focuses on developing innovative solutions with a strong track record of delivering great results. Collaborating with talented teams, I have helped design and produce ergonomic furniture for some of the largest manufacturers worldwide.

Following in my father’s footsteps, this journey has also led to joining the mission to empower elderly people to live life to the fullest.

CCO

Michael Woedd

As someone who values family, staying active, and exploring new places, I understand firsthand how the right furniture can improve everyday life.

With over two decades in the furniture industry, I have built my career around promoting products that not only look great but also support comfort, health, and productivity. As someone who values family, staying active, and exploring new places, I understand firsthand how the right furniture can improve everyday life. My passion for ergonomics comes from a deep appreciation for design and human-centric innovation, ensuring that the spaces we live and work in are as functional and comfortable as they are stylish.

Founder

Johan De Weerd

As we age, physical challenges become a reality, but I believe that the right innovations can help people maintain their freedom and quality of life.

I have always been passionate about creating solutions that improve people’s lives. With Vital Fjord, my focus is on developing ergonomic solutions that empower the elderly to live independently and with dignity. As we age, physical challenges become a reality, but I believe that the right innovations can help people maintain their freedom and quality of life.

Beyond my work, family is at the heart of everything I do. I am a loving husband and proud father of two sons and a grandfather, and they inspire my drive to make a meaningful impact. My goal has always been to create innovations that enhance everyday life - because I believe that comfort, health, and independence should be within everyone’s reach.

COO

Thomas Weidmann

With over 20 years of experience across Operational Excellence, R&D, and electromechanical manufacturing, I bring a hands-on, systems-driven approach to leadership.

With over 20 years of experience across Operational Excellence, R&D, and electromechanical manufacturing, I bring a hands-on, systems-driven approach to leadership. Turning complex challenges into scalable, efficient, and lasting ergonomic solutions is something I truly enjoy, while ensuring product development consistently delivers on performance, quality, and cost objectives.

I am passionate about building organizations and products that perform reliably in the real world across their full lifecycle—from design to manufacturing, supply chain, and continuous improvement—my approach is guided by creativity and curiosity. Inspiration comes from my hobby as musician as a dedicated guitar player or staying energized through sport. My family keeps me grounded and motivated, reminding me that sustainable growth and meaningful impact are always the ultimate goal.

Co-Creator of the UpRiser

Ron Houtveen

Ron Houtveen is the Co-Creator of the UpRiser and was a key force behind bringing the product from idea to reality.

Ron Houtveen is the Co-Creator of the UpRiser and played a central role in transforming the original idea into a functional, engineered product. From the earliest concept phases, Ron was deeply involved in shaping the technical architecture, mechanical solutions, and overall usability of the UpRiser, always with a strong focus on ergonomics, safety, and reliability.
With a strong background in technology and product development, Ron helped bridge the gap between design vision and real-world functionality. His work laid much of the technical foundation that the UpRiser is built on today, and his contribution has been instrumental in defining both the performance and the user experience of the product.
Although Ron is no longer part of Vital Fjord’s daily operations, his impact remains an integrated part of the UpRiser. Vital Fjord acknowledges Ron as a key co-creator of the product and thanks him for his important role in the early development journey.