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" Marvin DeVos Jr. (born October 21, 1955) is an American businessman, author, and former politician. He is known for being the son of Amway co-founder Richard DeVos. Dick DeVos was the chief executive officer (CEO) of Amway from 1993 to 2002.
In 2006, DeVos ran for Governor of Michigan but lost to Jennifer Granholm. He is married to Betsy DeVos, who served as the United States Secretary of Education under President Donald Trump.
Contents
Family and Early Life
Dick DeVos was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His parents were Helen June and Richard Marvin DeVos. His grandparents came to the U.S. from the Netherlands. DeVos went to public schools in Forest Hills, Michigan.
He started helping with the family business, Amway, when he was a child. He remembered the offices being in the basement of their home. As boys, he and his brother Doug helped at Amway's yearly events. They did everything from clearing plates to giving product demonstrations. DeVos said it was like a "Junior Achievement" program within Amway.
DeVos earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Northwood University. He also attended programs at Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He has received special honorary degrees from several universities.
His wife, Betsy DeVos, was the leader of the Michigan Republican Party. She later became the United States Secretary of Education for President Donald Trump. Her father was a wealthy businessman, and her brother founded Blackwater USA.
Business Activities
Working at Amway
DeVos began working at Amway Corporation in 1974. He held many different jobs there, including in research, manufacturing, and sales. In 1984, he became a vice president. He was in charge of Amway's business in 18 countries. Under his leadership, the company opened many new markets. Its sales outside the U.S. tripled and became bigger than its sales inside the U.S.
When Dick DeVos became vice president of Amway's international business in 1986, foreign sales were only about 5% of total sales. Six years later, when he left that job, they had grown to 50% of annual sales.
Orlando Magic Basketball Team
In 1991, the DeVos family bought the National Basketball Association team, the Orlando Magic. Dick's father, Richard DeVos, became the team's president and CEO. On October 21, 2005, it was announced that Dick DeVos would become a part-owner. His father divided ownership equally among his children.
A newspaper writer, Larry Guest, said in 1991 that people in Grand Rapids thought DeVos was "admirable, amicable, compassionate, honorable, community-conscious, intelligent." They wondered if he was strong enough to run an NBA team. Guest believed he was, calling DeVos "a business and political specialist." DeVos said he hoped to be seen as "tough, but also fair" in business decisions.
Leading Alticor
In January 1993, DeVos left the Orlando Magic to return to Amway as its president. He took over from his father, Rich DeVos. Under Dick DeVos, the company expanded 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. During this time, Alticor reduced its number of employees to help the company become profitable again.
DeVos and his brother, Doug DeVos, are known for making the company global. They also set new standards for the industry as they entered new markets.
DeVos retired as president of Alticor in August 2002. After leaving Alticor, DeVos became president of The Windquest Group.
The Windquest Group
The Windquest Group is a company that invests in other businesses. These include technology and manufacturing companies.
In 2010, a news article reported on a Windquest project called The Green Machine. This machine turns waste heat from factories into electricity.
DeVos explained that Windquest hired an expert in alternative energy. He said they knew this would be an important part of the future. He also said that being "sustainable" means being good for the environment and also making economic sense. Windquest was interested in technologies that were both environmentally friendly and could make money.
The Green Machine is made by ElectraTherm Company. Windquest helps distribute it with another company called Pro Services. DeVos said it's like a "three-legged stool." ElectraTherm provides the technology, Pro Services handles installation, and Windquest provides money and business knowledge.
Political Activities and Community Work
Early Political Roles
In 1990, DeVos was elected to the Michigan State Board of Education. He resigned two years later to return to Amway as CEO. In 1996, Governor John Engler appointed him to the board of Grand Valley State University.
Supporting School Choice
DeVos and his wife became leaders of the Education Freedom Fund in 1993. This fund gives private scholarships to low-income families in Michigan. These scholarships help families send their children to schools they choose. The DeVos family also matched a large grant to the fund. Their foundation pays for all the organization's administrative costs.
In 2000, DeVos helped lead a campaign called "Kids First! Yes!" This campaign wanted to change Michigan's constitution. It would have allowed money to be used for private school tuition. However, 69% of voters opposed the idea, and it did not pass.
The Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation has also given money to groups that support education reform. They have also funded Christian schools in West Michigan.
Running for Governor in 2006
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. By October 2006, his campaign had spent $39 million. Nearly $35 million of that money came from DeVos himself.
DeVos said the main issue for Michigan voters was the state's economy. He pointed out that Michigan had one of the highest unemployment rates. He also said it had the lowest growth in personal income and new businesses. He believed that tourism had a bright future for Michigan. He criticized Governor Granholm's economic policies. He said she should have made the state more friendly for businesses.
During the campaign, DeVos often said, "It's all about jobs." He argued that Michigan's taxes were hurting businesses and preventing job creation. He wanted to change taxes like the Single Business Tax. He also wanted to help Detroit's carmakers compete fairly around the world.
In June 2006, some polls showed DeVos leading Governor Granholm. His campaign ads focused on Michigan's struggling economy. They argued that Granholm had failed to fix it. They suggested that a businessman like DeVos was the right person to sort things out.
An article in October 2006 described the race as a "style vs. substance" fight. Granholm was seen as charismatic, while DeVos represented substance with his business background. DeVos focused on job creation in what he called "the least business-friendly state." He pointed out that Michigan jobs were moving to other states with lower taxes.
DeVos's plan for Michigan's economy was called the "TurnAround Plan." It focused on creating a good job climate, improving state government, and growing different parts of the economy. He also wanted to increase funding for education and improve healthcare.
On November 7, 2006, DeVos lost the election to Jennifer Granholm by 14 points. He called Granholm to congratulate her. A reporter later said DeVos's loss was partly due to his performance in a TV debate. DeVos later said he learned to express his opinions more directly.
After the 2006 Election
In October 2008, DeVos gave $200,000 to a group that opposed a Michigan ballot proposal. He is also a big supporter of the America First Action PAC.
Right to Work Laws
In October 2012, DeVos debated Teamsters president James P. Hoffa. They discussed the role of unions. DeVos argued that workers and business owners created a strong economy through hard work. He said that some union leaders focused on their own goals instead of their members'. They specifically talked about Michigan's Proposal 2, which aimed to protect collective bargaining. DeVos said this proposal would lead to a large tax increase.
In December 2012, after President Obama was re-elected, DeVos contacted lawmakers in Lansing, Michigan. He told them it was time to pass a "right-to-work" law. He promised financial support if they faced challenges for supporting it.
Lawmakers and Republican Governor Rick Snyder quickly passed the law. This was a big blow to the labor movement. The DeVos family had given a lot of money to the Michigan Republican Party. They also helped defeat a proposal for a pro-union change to the constitution. After that, the DeVos family helped create the Michigan Freedom Fund to promote the right-to-work law.
A Reuters article in December 2012 noted that DeVos's involvement helped the "right-to-work" campaign gain speed. He and another businessman worked to convince Republican lawmakers. They assured them they would have financial help if they faced recall elections.
In January 2013, DeVos spoke in Washington, D.C. He talked about the "Right to Work" law passing in Michigan. He said it was the "right thing to do" because it gave workers more freedom. He explained how the law was passed, praising businesses and lawmakers in Michigan. He also said it was important to propose the law at the right time and vote on it quickly.
MSNBC reported that the Mackinac Public Policy Center, which helped pass the law, received funding from the Charles G. Koch Foundation and the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation. MSNBC noted that DeVos was a very influential person in Michigan. Since losing his run for governor in 2006, he had worked to have an impact from outside of government.
Giving Back to the Community (Philanthropy)
Foundation Work
Dick DeVos is the President of the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation. This foundation in Grand Rapids has given millions of dollars to many groups. These include civic, arts, religious, educational, and community organizations. Some groups they have supported are Kids Hope USA, the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, and the West Michigan Aviation Academy. They have also supported various colleges and universities.
In the fall of 2010, DeVos opened the West Michigan Aviation Academy. This was the first public charter high school in the nation focused on aviation.
A March 2010 article said the idea for the school came from Betsy DeVos. She thought about their interest in education and Dick's love of flying. The academy is located at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Dick DeVos said many aviators in the community wanted to be involved. He wanted to weave aviation throughout the school's basic lessons.
DeVos explained that it is a charter school so it is open to everyone. It is a public school, so there is no tuition. He said this was important to make sure every child could attend for free. He added that it was the kind of school he would have loved as a kid. He wanted young people to experience how different the world looks from 5,000 feet up.
Supporting the Arts
The Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation has supported ArtPrize since 2009. ArtPrize is a large art competition in Grand Rapids.
In 2010, Betsy and Dick DeVos gave $22.5 million to the Kennedy Center Institute of Arts Management. It was then renamed the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the Kennedy Center. This institute helps arts managers and board members with training. It was the largest private donation in the Kennedy Center's history. Part of the money was also for arts groups in Michigan that were struggling.
Promoting Free-Market Ideas
The foundation has also given money to groups that support free-market economics. These include the Acton Institute, The Heritage Foundation, and the Hudson Institute. The DeVos family has also given money to Northwood University for scholarships and buildings.
Scholarships
The Dick & Betsy DeVos Scholarship was created in 2008. It helps students from developing nations attend the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
The DeVoses also created the Betsy and Dick DeVos Scholars for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Scholarship. This scholarship helps students study business at Northwood University.
Grand Action Project
Dick DeVos was a key part of the "Grand Action" project in Grand Rapids. In 1991, he brought together over 50 community leaders. They started a plan to improve downtown Grand Rapids.
They made plans for a new sports arena and to expand convention facilities. DeVos worked with local bankers to start the plan. This effort led to a new sports arena, a new convention center, and a new hotel. It also led to the renovation of the Civic Theater, a new art museum, and new gardens. Two new university campuses and a new biomedical research institute were also created. A CNN journalist said this kind of planning helped Grand Rapids succeed.
Lake Pollution Study
In June 2011, DeVos and his wife helped fund a study on pollution in Lake Macatawa. The study used special technology to find sources of E. coli in the lake. It also looked at sources of sediment and pollutants. DeVos said that threats to water quality are threats to public health. He believed the people of Holland could not wait for action.
Rediscovering American Values
DeVos wrote a book in 1998 called Rediscovering American Values. Former President Gerald R. Ford wrote the introduction. The book shares stories of people who improved their lives by practicing values like honesty, hard work, and kindness. DeVos believes people can solve problems by taking personal responsibility. The book became a New York Times best seller.
Honors and Awards
In September 2010, the Spectrum Health Foundation gave DeVos its Art of Giving Award. This award celebrates people who give a lot to charity.
Current Roles and Board Memberships
- President, The Windquest Group
- Chairman, Board of Directors, Spectrum Health System, 2010 – present
- Member, Board of Directors, Michigan State Chamber of Commerce, 2010 – present
- Founder and Chairman, West Michigan Aviation Academy (a charter high school), 2010 – present
- Chairman, Board of Directors, RDV Corporation
- Governing Board, Orlando Magic, 1994–present
- Member, Board of Trustees, Thunderbird School of Global Management, 2003–present
- Co-Chairman, Grand Action Committee, 1992–present
- Founder and Chairman, Regional Air Alliance of West Michigan, 2010–present
- Member, FAA Management Advisory Council, September 2017–present.
Personal Life
Dick DeVos and his wife, Betsy, have four children: Richard Marvin III (Rick), Elisabeth (Elissa), Andrea, and Ryan. They also have eight grandchildren. Their son, Rick, started ArtPrize, a famous art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The DeVos family has homes in Grand Rapids and Ada, Michigan. They also own houses in Windsor, Florida, where they spend several weeks each year. They also have a vacation home in Holland, Michigan, on Lake Macatawa. DeVos bought this property from his father in 2009.
