Dick DeVos Works Hard for Grand Rapids
Dick DeVos has long been a driving force for change in Michigan. The son of Amway founder Richard DeVos, Dick worked his way up in the family business until he reached the position of CEO. His success didn’t stop there. He wasn’t content to enrich himself; he was concerned with making Grand Rapids a better place to live for everyone, no matter where they fit on the economic spectrum.
He first showed his civic-mindedness with the creation of Grand Action. This group of prominent Grand Rapids businessmen worked together to improve the community. DeVos saw the folly of city planners in Detroit who constantly launched new building projects. These projects pushed Detroit further into debt. DeVos wanted more thoughtful growth for Grand Rapids. Along with the rest of Grand Action, he worked to create museums, theaters, and hotels. They expanded local colleges. This growth wasn’t haphazard; it was carefully planned with an eye toward improving the city rather than overwhelming it.
DeVos and his wife, Betsy, share a passion for philanthropy. They’ve given hundreds of millions of dollars to various charities, health programs, churches, and arts programs. In addition, they contributed a large amount toward a children’s hospital that gives Grand Rapids children access to the best medical care.
Together, he and his wife have worked to bring more education and labor choices to Michigan residents. They support charter schools, believing that all families should have access to the same privileges their own children do. They also worked to make Michigan a right-to-work state.