Since 2001, Dan T. Cathy has served as president and chief operating officer for one of the nation's largest family-owned businesses, Chick-fil-A. Cathy, whose father started the company, is renowned for leading Chick-fil-A from the front lines. He spends the majority of his time traveling to grand openings of new restaurants and interacting with their operators, employees and customers. He travels out of a belief that working in the field provides a clearer understanding of the wants and needs of Chick-fil-A customers.