Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century
Richard M. DeVos
Amway Corporation
1959–1992
1959–1992
Amway Corporation
1959–1992
1959–1992
- Industry: Personal Care & Home Products
- Era: 1950
In 1959, with his partner Jay Van Andel, DeVos established one of the most profitable direct selling companies in the world. Van Andel and DeVos accomplished their success through the use of an elaborate pyramid-like distribution system in which independent distributors of Amway products received a percentage of the merchandise they sold and also a percentage of the merchandise sold by recruited distributors. DeVos was an extremely charismatic speaker and used this ability to mobilize and motivate Amway distributors.
Personal
- Born-Died: 1926
- Birthplace: Michigan
- Race: White
- Gender: Male
- Father: Laborer, Skilled
Education / Military
- Military Service: Air Force