Executive Profiles
John Mackey
Co-Founder and CEO,
Whole Foods Markets, Inc.
Last Updated: 05/13/2010
Biographical Summary
In 1978, Mackey founded Texas' first vegetarian supermarket in his garage, dubbing it "Safer Way." In 1980 he merged it with another local natural-foods store and Whole Foods was born. Mackey's wildly successful rise has had its ups and downs, including an SEC investigation, resistance to an acquisition of competitor Wild Oats, and the recent economic downturn, which has eroded sales growth and sent the stock price plunging. Nevertheless, Mackey says that next to his wife, he "loves Whole Foods Market more than anything else in the entire world. Creating and growing this company has been my life's work." He says he plans to continue in the job "as long as I am having fun. Mackey is a vegan who enjoys reading, yoga and meditation.
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