Jay Van Andel, the Co-founder of Amway Corporation, was born on June 3, 1924 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School and attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, Pratt Business School in Pratt, Kansas, and Yale University Aviation Cadet School in New Haven, Connecticut.
In August of 1952 he married the former Betty Hoekstra. They have four children, Nan, Steven, Barbara and David. Jay and Betty's sense of family, first demonstrated in the upbringing of their children, transcended traditional bounds, finding its way into relationships formed both in business, neighbors, the community of Grand Rapids and beyond.
Years of dedication reflect Jay Van Andel's tremendous personal energy - energy brought to many and varied interests, not the least of which is the Amway Corporation. Amway is one of the largest direct selling companies. The company offers more than 450 Amway-name products, thousands of brand-name items through the Personal Shoppers catalog, plus a variety of services and education products. These products are sold by more than 3 million entrepreneurs operating in over 80 countries. A phenomenal success story of the American entrepreneurial spirit, Amway was founded in 1959 by Jay Van Andel and Richard DeVos. Its unheralded growth in the decades that followed has been a source of inspiration and amelioration for literally millions around the world.
As Amway's presence reached around the world so did Jay Van Andel's reputation. In 1992, President George Bush appointed Jay to serve as the United States Ambassador and Commissioner General to Genoa Expo '92. He has also served as Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation, Chairman of the Netherlands-American Bicentennial Commissions, and as a member of the U.S.O. World Board of Governors. He is a Trustee of the Jamestown Foundation, Hudson Institute and the Heritage Foundation, as well as the Founder of the Van Andel Institute for Education and Medical Research in Grand Rapids.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Religious Heritage of America, Business and Professional Leader of the Year Award-1974, Great Living American Award-1982.
Honorary Doctorates from Northern Michigan University-1976, Ferris State University-1978, Western Michigan University-1980, Grand Valley State University-1992, Michigan State University-1997.
Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement-1981.
Direct Selling Association Hall of Fame-1987.
Greater Grand Rapids Business Hall of Fame-1989.
United Nations Environment Programme Achievement Award, recipient on behalf of Amway-1989.
Business Person of the Year, Economic Club of Grand Rapids-1990.
Sales & Marketing Executives International Academy of Achievement, Charter Inductee-1990.
Adam Smith Free Enterprise Award, from the American Legislative Exchange Council-1993.
Edison Award, American Marketing Association-1994.
Clare Boothe Luce Award, from the Heritage Foundation-1998.
George Washington Honor Medal, Freedoms Foundation.
Gold Medals, Netherlands Societies of New York and Philadelphia.
Member, MENSA Society of the U.S.A.
Patron Award, Michigan Foundation for the Arts.
Knighted, Grand Officer, Order of Orange Nassau-Netherlands.
Honorary Member, Omicron Delta Kappa National Honors Society.
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[2] 我們對美好世界的承諾 ~ Our Commitment to a Better World
[3] 跨世代的机会 ~ An Opportunity for the Ages
[4] 回顾和愿望 ~ Looking Back, Looking Ahead
[5] 谁是成功者 ~ Who Will Succeed
[6] 展望未来 ~ Looking Forward to the Future
[7] 夥伴关系的承诺 ~ The Promise of Partnership
[8] 握手 ~ The Handshake
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