Mr. Richard M. DeVos,Rich is Co-Founder of Amway Corporation and serves as its Senior President. In 1949, Mr. DeVos formed the Ja-Ri Corporation and began distributing products on a direct sales basis. In 1959, he founded Amway Corporation with Van Andel. In October 2000, Amway became one of four subsidiaries under a new parent company called Alticor Inc., along with three sister companies: Access Business Group LLC., a business services provider, and Quixtar Inc., a Web-based business in North America.
He serves as Founding Chairman of National Organization on Disability. He is the Chairman of National Basketball Association. He served as Chairman of Direct Selling Association. He serves as a Director of Alticor Inc. and its Co-Founder. He serves as President of Amway Environmental Foundation; Board Member of National Organization on Disability; Board of Trustees, Gerald R. Ford Foundation; Board Member, Florida Board of Governors; Northwood University Council of Trustees, Freedom Foundation; Honorary Committee Member, DeVos Children’s Hospital; Fellow, World Fellowship for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; Member, Newcomen Society; Past Board Director, Spectrum Health; Past President, Council for National Policy; Past Finance Chairman, Republican National Committee; and Past Member, Presidential Commission on AIDS. He served in the US Air Force from 1944 to 1946.
A renowned speaker, Mr. DeVos has appeared before hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. His recorded talk, ‘Selling America,’ received the Alexander Hamilton Award for Economic Education from the Freedoms Foundation. He has written three books: BELIEVE!, Compassionate Capitalism and, Hope From My Heart: Ten Lessons for Life. Hope From My Heart describes the life-changing experience of his heart transplant at age 71, and imparts ten lessons for life on subjects like persistence, confidence, optimism, respect and faith. In September of 1991, Mr. DeVos and his family acquired the National Basketball Association’s franchise, the Orlando Magic. He received various awards and Honors includes: Excellence in Business Award from Davenport University – 2000; We Can Make A Difference” Tribute for a Lifetime Award from West Michigan in 1999; House of Hope, Humanitarian Award in 1999; American Spirit Award from Republican House and Senate in 1998; Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame in 1998; Horatio Alger Award from Horatio Alger Assoc. in 1996; Edison Award from American Marketing Assoc. in 1994; Adam Smith Free Enterprise Award from American Legislative Exchange Council in 1993; Donald J. Porter Humanitarian Award from YMCA Heritage Club of Grand Rapids, Mich. in 1993; Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year in 1992; Executive of the Year, University of Arizona in 1991; William Booth Award, Salvation Army in 1990; Sales & Marketing Executives International Academy of Achievement Charter Inductee in 1990; United Nations Environment Programme Achievement Award, recipient on behalf of Amway in 1989; Napoleon Hill Gold Medal Award for Free Enterprise Achievement in 1989; Greater Grand Rapids Business Hall of Fame in 1989; American Entrepreneur of the Year, University of Missouri in 1988; Direct Selling Association Hall of Fame Award in 1979; Excellence in Management Award, Industry Week; Thomas Jefferson Freedom of Speech Award, Kiwanis International; American Enterprise Executive Award, National Management Association; Holds ten honorary doctorate degrees from various colleges and universities across the country; and Honoris Causa member of Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Society. In April 1998, his family, through RDV Sports, was granted a WNBA franchise, the Orlando Miracle. Mr. DeVos and his family also own the International Hockey League Orlando Solar Bears. He is a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School and attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids.
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