Dick DeVos is the son of Richard DeVos, the co-founder of Amway Corporation, a network sales company that offers unique household and health products to over 18 countries around the world. As a son of the co-founder of a multi-billion dollar company, Dick DeVos has been inspire to make his own mark and to continue to grow the family legacy with his own success. As a member of this prestigious family, I found that Dick DeVos has indeed made a name for himself not only through his involvement with Amway Corporation, but also through his many donations to charitable organizations all over the United States.

Dick DeVos, even at a young age, has been involved with Amway Corporation. Mr. DeVos distinctly remembers playing with his brother in the basement of his family home which, at the time, acted as the headquarters to Amway Corporation. Dick DeVos has fond memories of helping the company and his father where he could which included stocking shelves, running errands, and even giving product descriptions to clients with no formal training or education. As a young child, Dick DeVos looked up to his father and has fond memories of spending time with his father while working with him as well as with the business.

After receiving a formal education with a degree in business administration, Dick DeVos graduated at the top of his class and was welcomed at Amway Corporation. As a full-time employee at Amway who officially started work in 1974, Dick DeVos has since then climbed his way up the ladder. By 1984, Dick DeVos became the vice president of the company who was in charge of the international sales in over 18 different countries. During this executive position, Dick DeVos not only proved himself as a businessman and as a leader, but also increased the total revenue of the company. By the time he left his vice president position, Dick DeVos had grown the total sales to make up over 50 percent of the company’s total revenue.

As a successful businessman and as a wealthy man, Dick DeVos and his wife have donated to many organizations across the United States. One of Dick DeVos’ most supportive organizations are centered around education and providing money for individuals who have no money to receive a high level of education. As an educated man, Dick DeVos believes that education should be based upon merit and not based upon family income.

The West Michigan Aviation Academy is a high school for those individuals who have a passion for aviation as well as technology, mathematics, science or engineering. This tuition-free public charter High School is centered on the grounds of the Gerald R Ford International Airport. The West Michigan Aviation Academy first opened its doors in the fall of 2010, and the first graduating class had their ceremony in 2014. Since its inception, the campus has grown from being able to accommodate around 100 students to being able to accommodate 500 students. The West Michigan Aviation Academy may be focused on aviation and located at an airport, but they also offer a standard curriculum with core subjects in addition to the first-hand experience with aviation, technology and engineering. The academy was founded by Dick DeVos after receiving much encouragement from his wife, Betsy. Both Dick and his wife share a passion for aviation and education, so it only made sense to incorporate the two and share that passion with other like-minded individuals looking to learn in a unique environment focused on their interests. Dick DeVos has been involved with the privatization of public schools intensely over the years. Dick’s career began in 1974 when he began working for his father’s company the Amway Corporation. Ten years later he became the vice president of the corporation which at that time had operations in 19 countries. He went on to be the founder of the Windquest Group in 1989 which is a private investment company. Dick was elected to the Michigan State Board of Education in the early 1990s but only served a quarter of his term before stepping down to go back to running the family business. He remained in this position for a decade before retiring after the turn of the century. Dick’s wife Betsy is the former chair of the Michigan Republican Party, and together they created the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation. Their passion for education continues to shine through all of the endeavors including the West Michigan Aviation Academy.

The West Michigan Aviation Academy is a high school for those individuals who have a passion for aviation as well as technology, mathematics, science or engineering. This tuition-free public charter High School is centered on the grounds of the Gerald R Ford International Airport. The West Michigan Aviation Academy first opened its doors in the fall of 2010, and the first graduating class had their ceremony in 2014. Since its inception, the campus has grown from being able to accommodate around 100 students to being able to accommodate 500 students. The West Michigan Aviation Academy may be focused on aviation and located at an airport, but they also offer a standard curriculum with core subjects in addition to the first-hand experience with aviation, technology and engineering. The academy was founded by Dick DeVos after receiving much encouragement from his wife, Betsy. Both Dick and his wife share a passion for aviation and education, so it only made sense to incorporate the two and share that passion with other like-minded individuals looking to learn in a unique environment focused on their interests. Dick DeVos has been involved with the privatization of public schools intensely over the years. Dick’s career began in 1974 when he began working for his father’s company the Amway Corporation. Ten years later he became the vice president of the corporation which at that time had operations in 19 countries. He went on to be the founder of the Windquest Group in 1989 which is a private investment company. Dick was elected to the Michigan State Board of Education in the early 1990s but only served a quarter of his term before stepping down to go back to running the family business. He remained in this position for a decade before retiring after the turn of the century. Dick’s wife Betsy is the former chair of the Michigan Republican Party, and together they created the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation. Their passion for education continues to shine through all of the endeavors including the West Michigan Aviation Academy.