Hy-Vee, Inc.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa - Stockholders of Hy-Vee Inc. on Friday elected Richard N. (Ric) Jurgens c.e.o. Jurgens becomes the third c.e.o. in the 73-year history of the privately owned grocery chain, which was named Progressive Grocer's 2003 Retailer of the Year.

Hy-Vee c.e.o. Ron Pearson credits the autonomy of the chain's employees for making it so successful. The corporate culture empowers associates at all levels to make decisions and rewards them for it. The company revolves around its store directors, who are permitted to make all decisions about store operations, including whether to buy from Hy-Vee's warehouse.