Charles Butt

Grandmother founded H.E. Butt Grocery in 1905 from a small house in Kerrville, Tex. after husband fell ill with tuberculosis. Today HEB operates 304 stores, employs 70,000 workers. Sales: $13.5 billion. Expanding in Texas and Mexico. Also operates Central Market, which caters to wine-and-cheese set; stores shun big brands in favor of organic foods. Now schlepping insurance, cell phone plans, defensive driving courses. Donates 5% of pretax profits to charity.