Dick DeVos

Dick DeVos (born Richard Marvin DeVos, Jr., October 21, 1955) is an entrepreneur-businessman from Michigan. The son of Amway co-founder Richard DeVos, he served as CEO of the consumer goods distribution company from 1993–2002. In 2006, DeVos ran for governor of Michigan, but lost to Democratic incumbent Jennifer Granholm. In 2012, Forbes magazine listed him as the 67th richest person in the United States, with a net worth of approximately $5.1 billion.

Family and early life

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, DeVos is a graduate of the Forest Hills public school system.

He was involved in the family business, Amway, even as a child. “I still remember when it was in the basement of our home when I was growing up,” he later said. “I remember the offices being down there and people working down there.” As boys, he and his brother Doug were “tapped as mini-hosts,” assigned to greet attendees at Amway's annual conventions, and they “helped out with everything from clearing plates during gatherings to ferrying guests to play tennis or waterski. That evolved to speaking in front of groups and even giving product demonstrations.” DeVos later said that “It was kind of like a Junior Achievement atmosphere contained inside of Amway...We just hung around the company. It was your social activity.”