Richard M. DeVos, Sr. wears many hats. With his innate intelligence, personal charm, and business savvy, he has created, managed and led many successful corporations, acquired sports teams, and enjoyed accolades from the industry, among other notable achievements. He is a rich man, indeed, considering his $5 billion estimated net worth; Forbes listed him as the 205th richest person in the world and the 60th in the United States in 2012.
His business career started in 1949 when he established Ja-Ri Corporation as a distributor of products on a direct sales basis. In 1959, he then co-founded Amway Corporation, one of the largest private corporations in the United States. In 2000, the multilevel marketing company became one of four subsidiaries under Alticor Inc.
DeVos has his hands full with various roles and responsibilities in several industries, a testament to his busy lifestyle. He is the Founding Chairman and Board Member of the National Organization on Disability; the President of Amway Environmental Foundation; and a Board Member of the Florida Board of Governors, among others. He is also the owner of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, the WNBA’s Orlando Miracle, and the IHL’s Orlando Solar Bears.
He is not just a business owner either. DeVos is a well-renowned speaker with his most notable talk being “Selling America” for which the Freedoms Foundation has awarded him the prestigious Alexander Hamilton Award for Economic Education. He has written books with topics ranging from compassionate capitalism to enduring faith in the face of apparently insurmountable odds, said books of which are written from his personal experience. He is, after all, known as a compassionate capitalist and he has undergone a life-changing experience (i.e., heart transplant at 71 years old).
DeVos has also received several awards including the Excellence in Business Award from Davenport University, the Humanitarian Award from House of Hope, and the American Spirit Award from the Republican House and Senate, among others.
If that’s not being an overachiever, then we don’t know what to call it.
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