Dick DeVos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dick DeVos
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DeVos in September 2021
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Richard Marvin DeVos Jr.
October 21, 1955 Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
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| Education | Northwood University (BBA) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 4 |
| Parent(s) | Richard DeVos Helen DeVos |
| Relatives | Dan DeVos (brother) Doug DeVos (brother) |
Richard "Dick" DeVos Jr. was born on October 21, 1955. He is an American businessman, author, and former politician. His father, Richard DeVos, helped start the company Amway. Dick DeVos was the CEO of Amway from 1993 to 2002.
In 2006, DeVos ran for Governor of Michigan but did not win. He is married to Betsy DeVos, who used to be the U.S. Secretary of Education.
Contents
Early Life and Family Connections
Dick DeVos was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His parents were Helen June and Richard Marvin DeVos. He went to public schools in Forest Hills, Michigan.
Growing Up with Amway
DeVos was involved in his family's business, Amway, from a young age. He remembered the offices being in their home's basement. As kids, he and his brother Doug helped at Amway's yearly meetings. They greeted guests and even gave product demonstrations. DeVos said it was like a "Junior Achievement atmosphere" within the company.
Education and Learning
DeVos earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Northwood University. He also took special courses at Harvard Business School and the Wharton School. He has received honorary degrees from several universities.
His wife, Betsy DeVos, was the leader of the Michigan Republican Party. She also served as the Secretary of Education for President Donald Trump. Her father, Edgar Prince, was a wealthy businessman.
Business Ventures and Leadership
Leading Amway's Growth
DeVos started working at Amway Corporation in 1974. He held many different jobs there, including in research, marketing, and finance. In 1984, he became a vice president. He was in charge of Amway's business in 18 different countries. Under his leadership, Amway opened many new markets. Foreign sales grew to be more than domestic sales for the first time.
Involvement with the Orlando Magic
In 1991, the DeVos family bought the Orlando Magic basketball team. Dick's father, Richard DeVos, became the team's president and CEO. In 2005, Dick DeVos became a part-owner of the team.
People who knew DeVos described him as admirable and intelligent. They wondered if he would be tough enough to run an NBA team. But many believed he was very experienced for his age. DeVos said he wanted to be seen as "tough, but also fair."
Returning to Amway as President
In 1993, DeVos left the Orlando Magic to return to Amway. He became the company's president, taking over from his father. Under Dick DeVos, Amway grew its business to over 50 countries.
In 2000, DeVos led a big change that created Alticor. This new company became the main company for Amway and other businesses. DeVos retired as president of Alticor in 2002. After that, he became president of The Windquest Group.
The Windquest Group's Innovations
The Windquest Group is a company that invests in different businesses. These include technology and manufacturing.
One interesting project was "The Green Machine." This machine turns waste heat from factories into electricity. DeVos explained that Windquest looks for technologies that are good for the environment and also make economic sense. He believes that ideas must be "economically sustainable" to truly last.
Public Service and Political Efforts
Early Political Roles
In 1990, DeVos was elected to the Michigan State Board of Education. He later resigned to focus on his role at Amway. In 1996, he was appointed to the Grand Valley State University Board of Control.
Supporting School Choice
DeVos and his wife became leaders of the Education Freedom Fund in 1993. This fund helps low-income families in Michigan. It gives them scholarships so their children can attend schools of their choice. The DeVos family also matched a large grant to this fund.
In 2000, DeVos helped lead a campaign called "Kids First! Yes!" This campaign wanted to change Michigan's constitution. It would have allowed school vouchers and tax credits for private schools. However, voters did not approve this idea.
Running for Governor of Michigan
On June 2, 2005, Dick DeVos announced he would run for governor of Michigan. He was considered the wealthiest person to run for a statewide office in Michigan's history. He spent a lot of his own money on the campaign.
DeVos said the main issue for Michigan was its economy. He pointed out that Michigan had a high unemployment rate. He believed the state needed to be more "business friendly." He proposed a "TurnAround Plan" to create jobs. This plan focused on improving the job climate and diversifying the economy.
In the election on November 7, 2006, DeVos lost to the current governor, Jennifer Granholm. He congratulated her after the results. DeVos later said he learned to express his opinions more directly.
Promoting "Right to Work" Laws
In 2012, DeVos became involved in discussions about "right-to-work" laws in Michigan. He debated with the head of the Teamsters union, James Hoffa. DeVos argued that these laws give workers more freedom. He said they allow workers to choose whether or not to join a union.
He believed that "Freedom to Work" was the right thing for Michigan. He said it would help the state compete better and create more economic opportunities. DeVos and his family supported efforts to pass this law in Michigan.
Giving Back: Philanthropy
The DeVos Foundation's Work
Dick DeVos is the president of the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation. This foundation has given millions of dollars to many different groups. These include civic, artistic, religious, and educational organizations.
West Michigan Aviation Academy
In 2010, DeVos opened the West Michigan Aviation Academy. This was the first public charter high school in the nation focused on aviation. The idea came from Betsy DeVos, combining their love for education and Dick's love for flying.
The academy is located at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. DeVos explained that as a charter school, it is free for all students. He said it was the kind of school he would have loved as a kid. He wanted young people to experience the joy of flying and see the world differently.
Supporting the Arts
The Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation has supported ArtPrize since 2009. This is a big art competition in Grand Rapids.
In 2010, Betsy and Dick DeVos gave $22.5 million to the Kennedy Center. This gift helped create the DeVos Institute of Arts Management. It provides training for people who manage arts organizations. This was the largest private donation in the Kennedy Center's history.
Community Development in Grand Rapids
DeVos was a key part of the "Grand Action" project. This effort aimed to revitalize downtown Grand Rapids. He brought together many community leaders to plan for the city's future.
Their work led to new sports arenas, convention centers, and hotels. They also renovated theaters and created new art museums and parks. This planning helped Grand Rapids grow and improve.
Protecting Lake Macatawa
In 2011, DeVos and his wife helped fund a study on pollution in Lake Macatawa. This study used special technology to find sources of pollution. DeVos said that threats to water quality affect public health. He believed it was important to act quickly to protect the lake.
Author and Recognitions
Rediscovering American Values
DeVos is the author of the 1998 book Rediscovering American Values. Former President Gerald R. Ford wrote the foreword. The book talks about how people can improve their lives by practicing values like honesty, hard work, and compassion. It became a New York Times best seller.
Awards and Honors
In 2010, the Spectrum Health Foundation gave DeVos its Art of Giving Award. This award celebrates people who give back to their community.
Current Roles and Boards
Dick DeVos holds several important positions today:
- President of The Windquest Group.
- Chairman of the Board of Directors for Spectrum Health System.
- Founder and Chairman of the West Michigan Aviation Academy.
- Chairman of the Board of Directors for RDV Corporation.
- Member of the Governing Board for the Orlando Magic.
- Co-Chairman of the Grand Action Committee.
Personal Life
Dick DeVos and his wife, Betsy, have four children: Rick, Elissa, Andrea, and Ryan. They also have eight grandchildren. Their son, Rick, started ArtPrize, a famous art competition in Grand Rapids.
The DeVos family has homes in Grand Rapids and Ada, Michigan. They also own vacation homes in Florida and Holland, Michigan.
Images for kids
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DeVos in September 2021
