John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, who in 2009 credited Ludwig von Mises as perhaps the most influential economist in his thinking, is profiled in the Orange County Register:
“If,” he said, “you ask what the purpose of a doctor is, no one answers that question by saying, ‘Well, the purpose of doctors is to maximize profits,’” No, he continued, “obviously, the purpose of doctors is to heal people.” ...
Indeed, Mackey studied philosophy and religion. He started reading the writings of “free-market thinkers and economists,” including Friedrich Hayek, Ludwig von Mises, Milton Friedman, Murray Rothbard and Adam Smith. And he developed a “new world view,” which he considers libertarian.
