Doug DeVos
Doug DeVos | |
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![]() DeVos in 2019 | |
Born | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States | October 6, 1964
Known for | Amway Co-Chairman of the Board |
Spouse | Maria DeVos |
Parent(s) | Richard DeVos Helen Van Wesep |
Relatives | Dick DeVos (brother) Dan DeVos (brother) |
Doug DeVos (born October 6, 1964) is an American businessman and sailing champion. He serves as co-chairman of Amway's board of directors with Steve Van Andel.[1] DeVos serves as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Constitutional Center[2]
Early life
Doug is the youngest son of Helen June (Van Wesep) and Amway co-founder Rich DeVos, who, with Steve Van Adel's father Jay Van Andel, started Amway in Ada, Michigan, in 1959.[3][4]
DeVos played quarterback at Purdue University as an undergraduate student and is a graduate of Purdue University[3]
Doug started at Amway early in his working career. He took on various responsibilities and roles before being named the President in 2002.[4]
Amway
Doug DeVos served as President of Amway from 2002-2018[5] and was co-CEO with Steve Van Andel in what was called the Office of the Chief Executive until the end of 2018. The current CEO of Amway is Milind Pant[2].
In 2018, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross appointed DeVos as a member of the US-India CEO Forum. The Forum explores ways to expand business relationships between the USA and India.[6]
Direct selling industry
From 2014 to 2017, DeVos served as chairman of the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations, a global trade organization representing more than 60 national direct selling associations.[7]
In 2012, he was inducted into the United States Direct Selling Association Hall of Fame along with his brother, Dick DeVos.[8]
Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation
Doug and his wife Maria established their foundation in 1992.[9] The stated mission of the Foundation: "The Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation is committed to helping youth, families, and the community in greater Grand Rapids obtain the resources and tools to achieve their full potential".[10]
Notable Areas of Significant Foundation Support
Capitalism, Conservative Politics and Christianity
- Mackinac Center
- American Enterprise Institute,
- National Constitution Center
- Purdue Research Foundation
- Wake Forest University
- Various Christian Causes
Grand Rapids Community Causes
- Grand Rapids Public Schools
- Amplify GR
- ICCF
- Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation
- Believe 2 Become
- First Steps Kent
- K-Connect
- Kent Services Network
- Leading Educators Inc.
(Assessed by the Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy in 2019 based on 2015 – 2017 990 documents)[11]
Sailing
DeVos has teamed with John J. "Hap" Fauth and Roger Penske to lead the New York Yacht Club's 2021 entry into the America's Cup, sailing's flagship competition. The entry marks the club's return to the historic race after a 15-year absence. The New York Yacht Club first won the America's Cup in 1851.[12]
Along with his Quantum Racing team, DeVos won the 52 Super Series Championship in 2018, the world's leading grand prix monohull yacht racing circuit.[13] DeVos and Quantum also won the championship in 2013, 2014 and 2016.[14] In 2019, DeVos and Quantum finished in third place.[15]
He is also a majority owner of Quantum Sails, a leading sail manufacturer based in Traverse City, Michigan.
Awards
In 2016, Devos was honored by the "He Played Football" award from the Joe Tiller Chapter of the National Football Foundation. The award is intended to provide recognition to a former football player from the Northeast Indiana region who went on to become highly successful in life after football.[16]
Advocate for criminal justice reform
In 2019, Doug DeVos supported an effort in Michigan to bring about criminal justice reforms. New measures have been under consideration such as making it easier for ex-offenders and residents to have their criminal histories expunged from the public record. DeVos mentioned the loss to the community when people are not welcomed back after they paid their debt to society. He was quoted as saying, “You lose the people who’ve made these mistakes, and you lose the opportunity for them to become productive members of society,” DeVos said. “Not just an employee, but a husband, a wife, a mother, a father, a sister, a brother, a neighbor. These are people in our communities.” [17]
Christian ministries involvement
Doug DeVos has been involved with speaking at and supporting various Christian ministry leadership causes. For instance, he spoke at the Christian Leaders Institute banquet on September 4, 2019.[18]
DeVos was also the former co-chair (along with Christian film and media producer Billy Zeoli) of Gospel Communications International. Gospel Communications International developed the BibleGateway.com website and also trained and hosted hundreds of evangelical ministries on the internet beginning in 1995. Gospel Communications International both sold the BibleGateway.com website and ceased operations on December 15, 2008.
Personal life
Doug is married to Maria and they have four children.[19]
References
- ^ "Amway announces new CEO". MLive.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Board of Directors Page". National Constitution Center.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation". Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation About.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Inside Amway: Van Andel And DeVos Family Ties". 62 CBS Detroit.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation". Doug and Maria DeVos About.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "American members of the US-India CEO Forum announced". Business Standard.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Associations, Amway; World Federation of Direct Selling. "Amway President Doug DeVos Named Chairman of the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations". PR Newswire. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Press Release". dsa.org. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
- ^ "Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation". About Doug and Maria DeVos.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Apply at Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation". Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy". Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy webpage.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Kuriloff, Aaron (August 15, 2018). "New York Yacht Club Has Sights Set on the America's Cup". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
- ^ "Quantum Racing 52 Super Series Champions for 2018, Luna Rossa Win Valencia Title › 52 Super Series – Pure Performance". September 22, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
- ^ "The 52 Super Series › 52 Super Series – Pure Performance". January 3, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
- ^ "Final Results – 2019 52 Super Series". Scuttlebutt Sailing News.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "He Played Football". Joe Tiller NFF Chapter. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
- ^ "West Michigan business leaders push for criminal justice reform". MLive.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Convention and Doug DeVos Dinner Report!". YouTube.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "About Doug DeVos". Bio page at Amway Website.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link)