Charles Clarence Butt is an American billionaire businessman, the Chairman and CEO of H-E-B Grocery Company, one of the largest privately held supermarket chains in the United States. Born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1938, he is the grandson of Florence Butt, who founded the company in 1905.

Butt grew up immersed in the family business ethos, helping out whenever he could. He received an elite education, graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree and securing an MBA from Harvard Business School. This combination of deep retail experience and top-tier management training prepared him to take the helm of the growing grocery chain and transform it into a regional powerhouse.

Charles Butt joined the H-E-B Grocery Company in 1963 and quickly rose through the ranks. He became the Chairman, CEO, and President of the company in 1971, at the age of 33. Under his leadership, H-E-B grew exponentially, expanding its footprint across Texas and into Mexico, becoming one of the largest privately held companies in the U.S., with annual sales exceeding $38 billion.

His leadership is characterized by innovative retail practices (including the creation of specialty brands like Central Market) and a profound commitment to his employees (associates) and the community. His most significant public commitment came in 2018 when he signed the Giving Pledge, vowing to donate the majority of his wealth to philanthropy. He has committed over $150 million to Texas public education initiatives, including creating The Holdsworth Center, named after his mother, Mary Elizabeth Butt (née Holdsworth), demonstrating a structural, generational commitment to education reform.

Charles Butt is a leading philanthropist in Texas, focusing his giving almost exclusively on public education and disaster relief. He is a signatory of the Giving Pledge, committing the majority of his wealth to charity.

• Texas Public Education: His commitment of $100 million to create The Holdsworth Center is aimed at training and developing Texas public school leaders.
• Disaster Relief: He famously donated $5 million to J. J. Watt's Houston Hurricane Harvey relief fund and supports the State of Texas Agricultural Relief (STAR) Fund, reflecting a profound commitment to his state's stability.
• Cultural Contribution: He has donated 75 pieces from his personal art collection to Texas museums.

Charles Butt maintains the humble, yet highly influential, style of a respected Texas retail executive. His attire is consistently professional and understated, favoring tailored suits and a classic aesthetic. His public persona is defined by his philanthropic commitment and his focus on the customer.

Residing in San Antonio, Texas, his luxury is the autonomy of controlling a multi-billion dollar private empire, which he leverages for high-impact social and educational reform. His life is a testament to the profitability of ethical business practices and deep community engagement.