H-E-B’s Charles Butt has been named a top CEO in Glassdoor’s Top CEO list for 2019. The San Antonio-based retailer’s chairman and CEO ranked second out of 100 chief executives from across the nation.
As part of the recruiting site’s Employees’ Choice Awards, the rankings are based entirely on employee feedback shared anonymously on Glassdoor. Butt received a 99 percent approval rating from employees.
Under his leadership, the desire to constantly innovate has led to new store concepts, the creation of one of the most successful private label programs in the country and the commitment to build out state-of-the-art digital products and services to complement H-E-B’s world-class stores.
In 1971, Butt succeeded his father as company president when the company had 6,000 partners (employees), roughly 120 stores and $221 million in annual sales. Since he took the helm, the company has grown to operate more than 400 stores in Texas and Mexico, employ more than 116,000 partners and post annual sales of more than $26 billion.
As part of its philanthropic mission, Butt displays his commitment to the partners and communities H-E-B serves. As the largest privately held employer in Texas, H-E-B granted company stock in 2015 to more than 63,000 partners, rewarding their hard work, dedication and loyalty. Each year, the retailer donates more than 5 percent of its pre-tax earnings to non-profit organizations focused on causes such as education, hunger relief, military, health and wellness, social services, the environment, diversity and the arts.
A champion for public education and literacy, Butt has developed several initiatives, including Raise Your Hand Texas, a nonprofit advocacy organization that works to strengthen public education in Texas. In 2017, he established The Holdsworth Center, investing $100 million of his personal wealth to create a nonprofit leadership institute for Texas public school administrators.
Additionally, the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers provides annual funding for up to four years as well as training and development opportunities with established public educators. Along with H-E-B, Butt also is investing heavily in the development of Centers for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) schools.
I had the wonderful privilege of knowing this family when I lived in Corpus Christi. It has been delightful to see Charles Butt carry on the wonderful example of his parents that had vision, compassion and the willingness to share that with which they were so richly blessed.
I have always admired this man. Very genuine and approachable. HEB takes care of their people and customers. No grocery store compares to them in my opinion. They are a part of my daily life. I gave them many working years before I went off to my passion to teach middle school kids with Autism. I learned many great skills at H-E-B, patience, friendliness, flexible thinking and love for all. H-E-B is a great place to work.