PROFILE:       Richard M. DeVos, co-founder of the Amway Corporation, is owner of the Orlando Magic and a philanthropist and motivational speaker.

In 1959, DeVos founded Amway Corp. with his lifelong friend and business partner, the late Jay Van Andel.  In 2000, Amway became a subsidiary of Alticor with sister companies Quixtar, Inc. and Access Business Group LLC.

DeVos has owned a number of professional sports franchises, including the Orlando Magic of the NBA. He is the author of four books and, as a renowned speaker, he has appeared before hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. His recorded talk, "Selling America," received the Alexander Hamilton Award for Economic Education from the Freedoms Foundation. After receiving a heart transplant in 1997, he became chairman of the Speakers Bureau for United Network for Organ Sharing. DeVos also serves on the Florida Board of Governors for Northwood University.

DeVos and his wife, Helen, generously support hospitals, colleges and universities, arts organizations and Christian causes in their hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich., as well as numerous organizations in Central Florida.

DeVos is a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School and attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1944 to 1946.  Rich and Helen have four children and 16 grandchildren. Their youngest son, Doug, is president of Alticor.

ORGANIZER:   The World Affairs Council of the Florida Palm Beaches is a membership-based organization that creates forums for discussion of critical world issues.  Founded in 2003 as a 501(c)(3)non-profit, non-partisan, education organization, its mission is to promote understanding of the world, the people, the politics, the economies and the cultures, and to enhance the ability of our citizens to participate in the global community and to better understand world events through people-to-people diplomacy, distinguished speakers, and educational outreach programs.