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Dick
DeVos
Dick
DeVos, 47, is the former President of Alticor Inc., where
for the ten years prior to his retirement on August 31,
2002 he held responsibility for all aspects of operation
and strategic planning for Alticor, as well as its subsidiary
companies Amway Corporation, Access Business Group, and
Quixtar operating in more than 50 countries and territories
on six continents. Alticor is engaged in direct selling,
e-commerce selling, product development, manufacturing and
logistics. In his final fiscal year ending August, 2002,
Alticor reported sales of $4.5 billion, primarily through
its more than 3.5 million mostly part-time sales force and
its complimentary e-commerce channel.
Dick
began working with Amway Corporation in 1974, holding positions
in various divisions, including Research and Development,
Manufacturing and Distribution, Marketing, Sales, Finance,
Public Relations and Government Affairs. In 1984, he became
Amway's Vice President - International, with responsibility
for the company's operation in 18 countries. Under his leadership,
the company opened seven new markets, tripled international
sales revenues and grew international sales to exceed domestic
sales for the first time in company history.
In 1989,
Dick left Amway to start a new business venture as Founder
and CEO of The Windquest Group, a multi-company management
group involved in the manufacture and marketing of storage
and space utilization products. When the DeVos family acquired
the NBA's Orlando Magic basketball franchise in 1991, Dick
also became President and CEO of the team. He left both
positions in January 1993 to rejoin Amway as its President,
succeeding his father, Amway co-founder Rich DeVos.
In addition
to leading the company to record sales and profit levels,
Dick was the prime architect of a global restructuring of
the company in 2000. The restructuring caused the privatization
of two previously public companies, created new governance,
management structures and processes as well as bringing
a new focus and energy in the business. As a testimony to
his communication and employee participation efforts, no
legal actions resulted from the necessary 1,300 job reductions.
The corporation is again growing worldwide and enjoying
strong profitability.
Dick
is extremely active in a wide range of community initiatives.
Dick chairs the Education Freedom Fund, which has partnered
with the Children's Scholarship Fund of New York to award
more than 4,000 scholarships to underprivileged children
in Michigan.
Beyond
his focus on education, Dick remains active in his community
through continued leadership as chair/co-chair of various
Grand Rapids area downtown revitalization and regional health
care improvements including a $75M arena, $220M convention
center, and a $90M heart hospital.
He is
also a sought-after public speaker and radio/television
interview candidate.
Dick
DeVos is married to the former Betsy Prince, of Holland,
Michigan, and has four children. He graduated from Forest
Hills Public Schools and received a Bachelor of Business
Administration degree from Northwood University in Midland,
Michigan. Additionally, he has attended Harvard and Wharton
School's Executive Study Programs.
Dick
is also an accomplished competitive sailor, having won back
to back National Championships in 2001 and 2002, as well
as being a qualified aircraft pilot.
His
current posts and present board memberships include Member,
Board of Directors, President (and Co-Founder), The Windquest
Group (1989-Present); Chairman, Board of Directors, World
Federation of Direct Selling Associations (2002-Present
Board Member since 2000); Member, Board of Directors, Fifth
Third Bank West Michigan (2001-Present, until acquired by
Fifth Third in 2002, Board Member of Old Kent Financial
Corp.; 1994-2001 and Board Member of Old Kent Bank from
1987-1994.); Member, Board of Directors, K12 Inc. (2003-Present);
Member, Board of Directors, Willow Creek Association (1997-Present);
Member, Michigan Business Roundtable (1997-Present, Co-Chairman
1997; Chairman 1998.); Chairman, Board of Trustees, Blodgett/Butterworth
Health Care Foundation (1994-Present, Board Member since
1990); Chairman, Board of Directors, Education Freedom Fund
(1994-Present); Co-Chairman, Grand Action Committee (1992-Present,
Chairman, Grand Vision Committee; 1991-1992.); Chairman,
Board of Directors, All Children Matter (2003-Present);
Chairman, Restoring the American Dream PAC (1998-Present).
His
previous board memberships include Member, Board of Directors
and President, Alticor Inc.; 2000-2002. (Previously Member,
Board of Directors and President, Amway Corporation; 1993-2000.);
Board of Directors, Grand Rapids Economic Club (1997-2001);
Member, Board of Control, Grand Valley State University
(appointed by Governor Engler, 1995-2000); Member, Board
of Directors, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM,
1994-2000); Member, Board of Directors, U.S. Direct Selling
Association (1993-1998, Vice Chairman 1995-1997; Chairman
1997); Elected Member, Michigan State Board of Education
(1991-1993); Member, Board of Trustees, Davenport College
of Business (1991-2000, Now Davenport University); Member,
White House Commission on Presidential Scholars (appointed
by President Bush, 1991-1993); Chairman, Board of Directors,
Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon Counties Foreign Trade Zone Authority
(1989-1996); Grand Rapids Area Co-Chairman, United Negro
College Fund Drive (1989-1992); Executive Committee - West
Michigan Boy Scouts (1985-1993); Board Member and Executive
Committee Member, Project Rehab (Grand Rapids community
drug rehabilitation program, 1978-1984).
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