Management Team

True Value guides its retailers by providing solid direction and programs proven to increase their retail sales. Our people are True Value's greatest asset. They're at the core of our brand and exemplify what our name is all about. With experienced leadership in place, profitable retail growth drives the entire organization. It's why we're in a solid position to help our customers achieve success and deliver a competitive advantage to all independent hardware retailers.

CHRIS KEMPA, Chief Executive Officer

Chris Kempa

Chief Executive Officer

Chris Kempa serves as True Value's Chief Executive Officer. Kempa joined the Company in November, 2019 and previously served as Chief Commercial Officer, where he rapidly implemented and executed an integrated merchandising, sales and pricing go-to-market strategy.

Kempa has a long track record of successfully leading businesses in the retail channel and has over 25 years of experience in the product distribution sector. He comes to True Value from ORS Medco, where he most recently served as chief executive officer and group president. Prior to that he was an officer at Grainger with responsibility for its international business.

Kempa holds an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, as well as a master’s certificate in project management from George Washington University.

JEFF OLSON, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Jeff Olson

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

As Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Olson is responsible for ensuring True Value Company is leveraging its financial resources effectively, while accelerating investments to further support all independent hardware retailers.

Olson has over 30 years of experience in financial optimization helping to drive commercial effectiveness and operating results. Prior to True Value, Jeff served as Vice President, Finance for The AZEK Company, a manufacturer of low-maintenance and sustainable building products, with responsibility for the company’s Residential products business. He has deep experience in wholesale distribution including over 10 years with increasing responsibilities in Finance at Essendant, a $5B distributor of business products.

Jeff holds a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

JOHN ARMBRECHT, Vice President, Chief Technology Officer

John Armbrecht

Vice President, Chief Technology Officer

As Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, John Armbrecht is responsible for all technology and platforms supporting True Value’s wholesale distribution business and the company’s technology strategies to support business functional needs. Armbrecht began his work with True Value in October, 2016 as the Senior Director of Enterprise Technology. He joined True Value after serving more than 15 years in technology leadership for multiple retail and wholesale companies including Kohl’s, Belk Stores, OfficeMax, and Sears.

Prior to his move into technology leadership, Armbrecht held multiple retail operational leadership and management positions. This combination of retail operations and technology leadership experience has equipped him to drive transformational technology programs that are both tactical and innovative. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Governors State University and studied telecommunications production engineering at Liberty University.

PAUL GREEN, Senior Vice President, Merchandising

Paul Green

Senior Vice President, Merchandising

Paul Green joined True Value in March 2020. He is a customer-focused senior executive with a successful track record of strong leadership and positive impact in multiple functional areas, including product management, digital merchandising, e-commerce, procurement, operations & logistics, pricing, software development and financial oversight. He brings a passion for driving innovation in product development.

At McMaster-Carr Supply Company, a multibillion-dollar, privately owned e-commerce and catalog-based distributor of hardware, tools, raw materials and maintenance equipment and supplies, Green began as a Warehouse Manager and was continuously promoted through a number of positions, culminating in Chief Merchandising & Supply Chain Officer.

Green began his career as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He was a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer, qualified in the operation and maintenance of Navy nuclear propulsion plants as well as ship-handling and navigation. He was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt for three years. Green earned a Master of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL; completed training at the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power School in Goose Creek, SC; and earned a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

ERIC LANE, Senior Vice President, Sales

Eric Lane

Senior Vice President, Sales

As Senior Vice President of Sales, Eric Lane is responsible for driving the Company’s profitable growth through direct and indirect sales, new customer acquisition and business development.

Lane is a long-tenured associate, most recently serving as Vice President of Specialty Business, where he provided leadership over True Value’s Home & Garden Showplace, International, Maintenance and Rental divisions.

Lane has held various positions within True Value and has a wide array of experience in sales, strategic development, store expansions and remodels. He led True Value's two-year enterprise management system initiative, managed the Company’s eBusiness and retail systems and spent 10 years in Marketing and Merchandising roles.

Lane started his career in Merchandising at Servistar and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Juniata College.

IRMA QUINTANA, Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Irma Quintana

Senior Vice President, Human Resources

As Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Irma Quintana is responsible for the Company’s talent acquisition, succession planning, performance management and training.

Quintana has over 25 years of experience leading companies through extensive change management and development of compensation philosophies.

Prior to joining True Value, Quintana served as Vice President, Global Compensation, Benefits, HRIS and US Payroll at Littlefuse. She also spent 15 years at CNA Financial, most recently as Vice President of Compensation.

Quintana holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois.

JOHN HAMMERLE, Vice President & General Counsel

John Hammerle

Vice President & General Counsel

As Vice President and General Counsel, John Hammerle provides leadership over the Company's legal department and serves as the Corporate Compliance Officer. Prior to his promotion to the General Counsel role, John served True Value for four years as Assistant General Counsel.

Before joining True Value, Hammerle spent 12 years at Freeborn & Peters LLP. There he assisted clients in complex business litigation matters and garnered experience in both trial and appellate work across a wide array of state and federal commercial matters.

John earned his Bachelors of Science in Telecommunication Arts and Theatre from Butler University and graduated JD, Magna Cum Laude from the DePaul University College of Law.

JOHN VANDERPOOL, Divisional President, True Value Manufacturing / General Paint Manufacturing

John Vanderpool

Divisional President, True Value Manufacturing / General Paint Manufacturing

As Divisional President, True Value Manufacturing / General Paint Manufacturing, John Vanderpool is responsible for ensuring alignment on the implementation of our paint strategy and driving sales growth of our EasyCare paint assortment and private label manufacturing efforts.

John has been at the helm of True Value Manufacturing in various roles since 2015, beginning as Senior Director of Business Development. Before joining True Value, John developed and implemented growth strategies for Benjamin Moore and improved top line sales for the J.C. Licht retail chain. John is a board member for the American Coatings Association and Chairman of the Board of the ACA PaintCare organization.

John holds a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Political Science in Chemistry and English from Augustana College.

DARIO SKOCIR, Vice President, Supply Chain

Dario Skocir

Vice President, Supply Chain

As Vice President of Supply Chain, Dario Skocir is responsible for driving end-to-end supply chain optimization and developing integrated planning & logistics strategies.

Dario has over 30 years of experience in supply chain and operations, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Distribution Field Operations at US Foods, where he spent the last 12 years. In this role, he was responsible for managing all functions related to warehousing, delivery, fleet, technology, strategy and mergers and acquisitions. Skocir also spent a number of years at UPS as Director of Operations, where he was accountable for multiple 24-hour package distribution operations facilities in the US network.

Skocir holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Bachelor of Arts, Business Management degree from Baldwin Wallace University.

JEAN NIEMI, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Jean Niemi

Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications

As Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Jean Niemi is responsible for the brand’s marketing and advertising efforts as well as the development of digital and e-commerce strategies, employee and retailer communications, brand PR, executive engagements, media relations, events and meetings.

Niemi joined the company in 2014 from Kraft Foods Group where she was head of Corporate Affairs with responsibilities for external and internal communications as well as community involvement. Prior to that, she was at The Home Depot for almost nine years guiding strategic communications and corporate positioning initiatives including brand, executive and industry communications. She also worked across business units to develop integrated traditional, digital and social media campaigns.

Niemi holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University. She is affiliated with the Arthur W. Page Society and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.