Your Independent Business Owner is Alex Schmidt

about amway 

  1. Steve Van Andel 

     

  2. Doug DeVos 

     

  3. Bill Payne 

     

  4. Jim Payne 

     

  5. Eva Cheng 

     

  6. Al Koop 

     

  7. Russ Evans 

     

Steve Van Andel 

Chairman 
Steve Van Andel is responsible for managing daily operations of the company.  He shares Amway’s Office of the Chief Executive with president Doug DeVos.

Van Andel has been chairman of the $8.4 billion company since 1995, and is the oldest son of Amway co-founder Jay Van Andel. In 1959, Jay and his lifelong friend and business partner, Rich DeVos, started Amway from their homes in Ada, Michigan. In four decades, Amway grew from a small company selling a single cleaning product to one of the world’s largest direct selling companies. Van Andel succeeded his father as chairman, and led the expansion of Amway into a stronger and more diversified company to be more competitive in the new economy.

Before becoming chairman, Van Andel was Amway’s vice president – Americas, overseeing the company’s business operations in North and South America. He also served as vice president of marketing.

On June 12, 2002, Van Andel concluded his one-year term as the chairman of the United States Chamber of Commerce. During his term as Chamber chairman, he traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and to eleven countries in Europe, Latin America and Asia where he was a tireless advocate of free trade issues.

Following his term as Chamber chairman, Van Andel served as chairman of the board’s executive committee. He currently holds the position of past chairman and member of the board. Van Andel also continues his work on behalf of free trade as vice chairman of the U.S. Korea Business Council.

Van Andel is dedicated to the renewal of downtown Grand Rapids, lending his time and support to the Grand Action Committee, the Van Andel Museum Center, and the Van Andel Institute, a major health research center in Grand Rapids. He also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Seidman School of Business at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.

Van Andel serves on the boards of Business Leaders for Michigan, Gerald R. Ford Foundation, and Grand Rapids John Ball Zoo Society. He also serves on the boards of the Metropolitan Health Corp. and the Metropolitan Hospital Foundation in Grand Rapids.

Van Andel earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, and is a current member of the school’s Board of Trustees.  He earned an MBA in marketing from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

About Amway
Amway is one of the world’s largest direct selling businesses. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Ada, Michigan, USA, Amway offers consumer products and business opportunities in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. The company also provides product development, manufacturing and logistics services through its Access Business Group and Alticor Corporate Enterprises divisions. In its most recent fiscal year, the Amway family of companies reported annual sales of $8.4 billion. For more information, please contact Amway’s media information staff at 616.787.7565, or via e-mail at: mediainfo@amway.com.
 

Steve Van Andel 

Chairman
Steve Van Andel is responsible for managing daily operations of the company. He shares Amway’s Office of the Chief Executive with president Doug DeVos.

Van Andel has been chairman of the $8.4 billion company since 1995, and is the oldest son of Amway co-founder Jay Van Andel. In 1959, Jay and his lifelong friend and business partner, Rich DeVos, started Amway from their homes in Ada, Michigan. In four decades, Amway grew from a small company selling a single cleaning product to one of the world’s largest direct selling companies. Van Andel succeeded his father as chairman, and led the expansion of Amway into a stronger and more diversified company to be more competitive in the new economy.

Before becoming chairman, Van Andel was Amway’s vice president – Americas, overseeing the company’s business operations in North and South America. He also served as vice president of marketing.

On June 12, 2002, Van Andel concluded his one-year term as the chairman of the United States Chamber of Commerce. During his term as Chamber chairman, he traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and to eleven countries in Europe, Latin America and Asia where he was a tireless advocate of free trade issues.

Following his term as Chamber chairman, Van Andel served as chairman of the board’s executive committee. He currently holds the position of past chairman and member of the board. Van Andel also continues his work on behalf of free trade as vice chairman of the U.S. Korea Business Council.

Van Andel is dedicated to the renewal of downtown Grand Rapids, lending his time and support to the Grand Action Committee, the Van Andel Museum Center, and the Van Andel Institute, a major health research center in Grand Rapids. He also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Seidman School of Business at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.

Van Andel serves on the boards of Business Leaders for Michigan, Gerald R. Ford Foundation, and Grand Rapids John Ball Zoo Society. He also serves on the boards of the Metropolitan Health Corp. and the Metropolitan Hospital Foundation in Grand Rapids.

Van Andel earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, and is a current member of the school’s Board of Trustees. He earned an MBA in marketing from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

About Amway
Amway is one of the world’s largest direct selling businesses. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Ada, Michigan, USA, Amway offers consumer products and business opportunities in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. The company also provides product development, manufacturing and logistics services through its Access Business Group and Alticor Corporate Enterprises divisions. In its most recent fiscal year, the Amway family of companies reported annual sales of $8.4 billion. For more information, please contact Amway’s media information staff at 616.787.7565, or via e-mail at: mediainfo@amway.com.
 

Doug DeVos 

President
Doug DeVos oversees daily operations of the $8.4 billion company and shares Amway’s Office of the Chief Executive with chairman Steve Van Andel.

DeVos has spent his career building enthusiasm for the Amway business. His belief in its ability to foster entrepreneurs around the world is reflected in the company’s record of sales growth during his time as president.

He has also helped Amway grow into one of the world’s most international companies. More than 80 percent of the company’s revenue is generated outside the United States. The company’s 13,000-plus employees and more than 3 million affiliated distributors worldwide are fully reflective of their local cultures. DeVos has also served in various leadership positions in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

DeVos is the youngest son of Amway co-founder Rich DeVos. In 1959, Rich DeVos and his lifelong friend and business partner, Jay Van Andel, started Amway from their homes in Ada, Michigan. DeVos is involved in numerous international, national, and local business and civic organizations, including the World Federation Direct Selling Association, National Constitution Center, Business Leaders for Michigan, Economic Club of Grand Rapids, Gerald R. Ford Foundation, Early Childhood Commission and Keystone Community Church.

DeVos earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue’s School of Management. While at Purdue, he played quarterback for the Boilermakers football team. He is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for Purdue’s Krannert School of Management.

About Amway
Amway is one of the world’s largest direct selling businesses. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Ada, Michigan, USA, Amway offers consumer products and business opportunities in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. The company also provides product development, manufacturing and logistics services through its Access Business Group and Alticor Corporate Enterprises divisions. In its most recent fiscal year, the Amway family of companies reported annual sales of $8.4 billion. For more information, please contact Amway’s media information staff at 616.787.7565, or via e-mail at: mediainfo@amway.com.
 

Bill Payne 

Chief of Staff
Bill Payne works with the company's Office of the Chief Executive and assists in overseeing day-to-day management of the global Alticor Inc. enterprise.

Payne is on his second tour of duty with Amway, having worked in sales and marketing from 1979 to 1985. He rejoined the firm in November 1999 to take on the chief of staff role.

Prior to his return, Payne served as president of The Windquest Group, a privately held, multi-company operating firm. He was also a partner in Payne-Zwiep and Company, a Grand Rapids-based mergers and acquisitions firm, and has also served in marketing and sales management positions with Owens-Illinois, Inc.

Payne was born in Lancaster, Ohio, and raised in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He is a graduate of Albion College, where he received a bachelor of arts degree, and Bowling Green State University, where he earned a master’s degree in business administration. He has also attended executive study programs at The University of Chicago and the University of Michigan.

Payne is active in a variety of business and community activities. He is a graduate of Leadership Grand Rapids and a life member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Payne is a member of the board of directors at Universal Forest Products, Inc. in Grand Rapids. He is also chairman of the board at Spring Hill Camps, and serves on the Macatawa Bank Business Advisory board. He is a member of Ada Bible Church.

About Amway
Amway is one of the world’s largest direct selling businesses. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Ada, Michigan, USA, Amway offers consumer products and business opportunities in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. The company also provides product development, manufacturing and logistics services through its Access Business Group and Alticor Corporate Enterprises divisions. In its most recent fiscal year, the Amway family of companies reported annual sales of $8.4 billion. For more information, please contact Amway’s media information staff at 616.787.7565, or via e-mail at: mediainfo@amway.com.
 

Jim Payne 

Executive Vice President
Jim Payne is responsible for Amway’s direct selling markets in North America, Europe, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India and Latin America.

Before being named to his current position in April 2005, Payne was senior vice president of Amway, responsible for numerous international affiliates. From 1999 through 2000, Payne served as president & representative director of Amway Japan, Ltd., and remains on the board of directors for the affiliate. Since 1980, his Amway career has taken him around the world with progressively more responsible positions, including director and then vice president of new market development, in which he was responsible for expanding Amway markets worldwide. Payne also served as general manager of Amway Germany, regional manager for the Poland and Switzerland affiliates, and managing director of Amway Thailand.

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Payne earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids. He is a member of the West Michigan World Affairs Council in Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Economic Club. He is a member of the board of directors of the Van Andel Global Trade Center. He and his wife, Linda, serve on the board of Operation Smile – Michigan.

About Amway
Amway is one of the world’s largest direct selling businesses. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Ada, Michigan, USA, Amway offers consumer products and business opportunities in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. The company also provides product development, manufacturing and logistics services through its Access Business Group and Alticor Corporate Enterprises divisions. In its most recent fiscal year, the Amway family of companies reported annual sales of $8.4 billion. For more information, please contact Amway’s media information staff at 616.787.7565, or via e-mail at: mediainfo@amway.com.
 

Eva Cheng 

Executive Vice President
Eva Cheng serves as executive vice president and chairwoman of Amway (China) Co. Ltd. (ACCL), and is responsible for Amway markets in Greater China and Southeast Asia.

Amway Greater China encompasses mainland China, Taiwan, Macau SAR and Hong Kong SAR. Southeast Asia markets include Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei.

Cheng is best known for leading Amway’s entry into China in 1992, and for driving the growth and development of the company’s business there. Over the past decade, ACCL has regularly been recognized by business magazines, surveys, and government agencies as one of China’s most admired companies and best employers. Amway China today is one of the top 100 foreign invested enterprises in sales, and since 2005 has been named “The Most Influential MNC (multinational company) in China” by China Business Network (CBN) for five consecutive years.

Cheng’s leadership is well recognized in China’s business community. In 2007, CBN and CNBC Asia Pacific, in partnership with the University of Chicago, presented Cheng with the 2007 China Business Leader Talent Management Award. She was also named among the “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” in 2008 and 2009 by Forbes Magazine.

Cheng is active in public and community service. In Mainland China, she is a member of the Executive Committee of the China Women’s Federation. Cheng also serves on the Guangdong Commission of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. In addition, she is an Honorary Council Member of the Shanghai Charity Fund, and is a member of the Hopkins-Nanjing Council of the Johns Hopkins University – Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies.

In Hong Kong, Cheng is Honorary President of the China Women’s Federation Hong Kong Delegates Associate, and is Honorary President of the Hong Kong Federation of Women. She is also a council member and Honorary Fellow of The Open University of Hong Kong, member of the Advisory Committee of Cantonese Opera Development Fund, and a member of the Council on Human Reproductive Technology.

Cheng graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a bachelor of arts degree with honors and also received a master’s of business administration degree from the university. She began her career with Amway in 1977.

About Amway
Amway is one of the world’s largest direct selling businesses. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Ada, Michigan, USA, Amway offers consumer products and business opportunities in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. The company also provides product development, manufacturing and logistics services through its Access Business Group and Alticor Corporate Enterprises divisions. In its most recent fiscal year, the Amway family of companies reported annual sales of $8.4 billion. For more information, please contact Amway’s media information staff at 616.787.7565, or via e-mail at: mediainfo@amway.com.
 

Al Koop 

Chief Operating Officer
As the chief operating officer, Al Koop oversees the people and facilities that handle research and development, purchasing, manufacturing and distribution of products for Amway and its contract customers.

Under Koop’s direction, Access Business Group has increased efficiency by developing third party services to optimize operating capacity. During this time, Access Business Group scientists have conducted award winning health research and all of the division’s farms were organically certified. Also under Koop’s leadership, Access Business Group used its expertise in Asian skin care to create the first product line to be specifically formulated for the skin of Asian-American women.

Previously, Koop was Amway’s senior vice president – Operations. His responsibilities included Amway’s manufacturing facilities in Michigan and California, as well as global distribution, information systems, forecasting/planning, engineering, purchasing and import-export functions.

In his tenure at Amway, Koop has held various positions throughout the company. His previous position was senior vice president and managing director – Americas and Europe, overseeing Amway’s business in those countries. Prior positions include vice president – International Distribution and Facilities Planning, and director – Regional Distribution Centers, where he was responsible for catalogue, transportation, truck fleet and import-export operations. He joined Amway in 1965 as an area coordinator in sales.

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Koop earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.

About Amway
Amway is one of the world’s largest direct selling businesses. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Ada, Michigan, USA, Amway offers consumer products and business opportunities in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. The company also provides product development, manufacturing and logistics services through its Access Business Group and Alticor Corporate Enterprises divisions. In its most recent fiscal year, the Amway family of companies reported annual sales of $8.4 billion. For more information, please contact Amway’s media information staff at 616.787.7565, or via e-mail at: mediainfo@amway.com.
 

Russ Evans 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Russ Evans is the executive vice president and chief financial officer for the company. He is responsible for the worldwide finance function including treasury, all accounting functions, taxes, financial reporting, forecasting, financial planning, and insurance. In addition, he contributes significantly to Amway’s business development activities and its strategic planning.

Evans joined Amway in June 2008 from The Boeing Company. He joined the aviation giant in 2000 and held numerous leadership positions in operations and finance. In 2004, he was named Boeing Capital’s vice president and chief financial officer.

As CFO at Boeing Capital, Evans led a team that supported the subsidiary’s core business of arranging financing to assist in the sale of products and services for other Boeing business units. He oversaw Boeing Corp.’s $7 billion aircraft leasing business, which included evaluating airline financing proposals, cash management, portfolio risk management, and all aspects of public financial reporting. He also served on key corporate teams, including the one that launched the company’s new 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Prior to joining Boeing, Evans spent two decades at General Electric, where he held numerous positions of escalating responsibility in the company’s financial operations. In his last GE post, he served as chief operating officer of GE Service Management in the appliance division.

Evans graduated in 1979 from Purdue University, and is a native of Chicago. He and his family reside in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

About Amway
Amway is one of the world’s largest direct selling businesses. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Ada, Michigan, USA, Amway offers consumer products and business opportunities in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. The company also provides product development, manufacturing and logistics services through its Access Business Group and Alticor Corporate Enterprises divisions. In its most recent fiscal year, the Amway family of companies reported annual sales of $8.4 billion. For more information, please contact Amway’s media information staff at 616.787.7565, or via e-mail at: mediainfo@amway.com.
 

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