After graduating from college, Levine worked in the Merchandising Department at Family Dollar, rising to the position of Senior Vice President-Merchandising and Advertising from 1981 to 1987. Thereafter, he served as President of Best Price Clothing Stores, Inc., from 1988 to 1992.[2]
From 1992 to 1996, Levine was self-employed as an investment manager.[3]
In 1996, Levine rejoined Family Dollar and served in various positions until he became Chief Executive Officer in August 1998.[4]
In July 2014, Levine oversaw the buyout of Family Dollar by Dollar Tree in a deal totaling $8.5 billion.[5] Levine remained with the company following the merger and was appointed to Dollar Tree's board of directors.[6] Levine stepped down as CEO on January 15, 2016.[7]
Compensation
While CEO of Family Dollar in 2009, Howard R. Levine earned a total compensation of $5,612,726, which included a base salary of $948,654, a cash bonus of $1,894,615, stocks granted of $1,338,224, and options granted of $1,308,528.[8]
Philanthropy
Levine established the Howard R. Levine Foundation, a donor-advised fund. As of 2015, it had $65 million in assets after a $45 million addition by Levine.[9]
In February 2017, Levine and his wife Julie donated $2 million to Providence Day school in Charlotte.[10] The couple made a $100,000 matching gift through the foundation to the Time Out Youth Center's capital campaign in May 2017.[11] Later in 2017, the foundation donated 500,000 to the Crisis Care Initiative.[12]
Personal life
He has two children with his first wife.[1] He is married to Dr. Julie Lerner Levine with whom he has two children.[13]