Early Life
Eleanor Butt Crook was born in 1932. She is a member of the Butt family, who founded the H-E-B grocery chain. Her grandmother, Florence Butt, established the company in 1905, after her husband was unable to work due to illness. Eleanor grew up in a family deeply involved in the grocery business.
Rise to Success
Eleanor's wealth comes from her inheritance of the H-E-B fortune. The company expanded throughout Texas under the leadership of her father and brother. Though she has no active role in the daily management, she is a board member.
Key Business Strategies
H-E-B's success is built on a foundation of providing quality products and excellent customer service. The family's strategic focus on expansion and innovation, has driven substantial revenue growth. The company has focused on cluster based expansion and deepening its presence in areas where it is already present.
Philanthropy
Eleanor and her late husband, Ambassador William Crook, established the Eleanor Crook Foundation in 1997. The foundation is dedicated to combating global malnutrition. The foundation invests in research and policy analysis to find solutions to the problem of malnutrition. The foundation has invested over $100 million in fighting against malnutrition.