MEET OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM
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.
Dan Starr has been the CEO since January 2016. He is only the fifth CEO in the company’s history, which dates back to its founding in 1945. Dan began his career at Do it Best in 2005 as director of human resources and general counsel. He was promoted to vice president of human resources in 2006 and advanced to executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2012, gaining extensive experience in leading key operational areas of the business before assuming the top role.
Before joining Do it Best, Dan was a partner at a prominent Midwestern law firm, where he specialized in business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and tax matters. During that time, he provided legal counsel to Do it Best, building a deep understanding of the company’s operations and industry. Dan earned his law degree magna cum laude from Indiana University School of Law in 1994. His leadership and expertise have been instrumental in driving the continued growth and success of Do it Best.
As President of True Value, Dent provides strategic leadership across the organization, drawing on his extensive background in operations, supply chain, and merchandising. Previously, Dent served as Executive Vice President of Operations at Do it Best, where he guided initiatives across merchandising, IT, and logistics to drive company growth. He also held the position of Vice President of Merchandising, overseeing hardware product purchasing, vendor negotiations, global sourcing, and inventory control. Dent’s background includes senior roles at Michelin Tire Corporation, where he gained extensive experience in managing operations both domestically and internationally.
Bill guides his team through his extensive experience in technology leadership, systems management, and the continual development of information processing and handling. Over his dozen years at Do it Best, Bill has held key roles as Operations Divisional Manager, Tech Engagement Divisional Manager, and Information Technology Engineering Manager, where he led teams in driving technology solutions and operational improvements. His diverse background also includes experience in development and finance, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both technical and business needs. Bill is committed to advancing IT capabilities while maintaining operational stability to keep True Value at the forefront of technology.
Justin brings extensive education and experience in business management, marketing, and strategic growth initiatives to this leadership role. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Business Management and Marketing from Indiana University and an MBA from Saint Francis University. Throughout his career at Do it Best, Justin held various roles, including Divisional Merchandise Manager and Consumer Marketing Sales & Service Manager, where he led merchandising teams responsible for managing product lines, building vendor relationships, and offering marketing promotions to drive store sales. He has been instrumental in ensuring competitive product assortments, strategic pricing, and operational excellence. Justin is passionate about helping True Value members achieve their business goals by providing the right product offerings, tools, and guidance needed for success.
Tim brings over 31 years of experience to this senior leadership role. He oversees a dedicated team focused on providing efficient and reliable order management, fulfillment, and delivery services across ten strategically located warehouses. His career at Do it Best has included key leadership roles in logistics, marketing, and IT, where he has consistently driven improvements in operational efficiency and retailer support. Tim is committed to safely delivering industry-leading on-time order fulfillment and delivery while maximizing profitability and value for the cooperative’s store owners.
Chris has over 30 years of experience in the hardware industry, with a focus on sales leadership and business strategy. He has a proven track record of driving growth through strategic partnerships, optimizing sales structures, and launching innovative programs across domestic and international markets. Chris previously held leadership roles at Valqari, and Scotts Miracle-Gro, where he consistently delivered above-industry growth and earned multiple Vendor of the Year awards. He is passionate about fostering collaborative teams and creating impactful strategies that drive profitability and customer success.
Steve draws on over 20 years of experience in warehouse and logistics management. His focus is on optimizing distribution processes, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and leading strategic initiatives to improve service levels for True Value’s network of stores. He previously served as Director of Warehouse Operations and Safety Director, where he led initiatives to improve operational efficiency and safety across multiple facilities. His career also includes key roles at Walmart, where he developed expertise in managing large-scale logistics and operational teams. Steve is committed to driving logistical excellence and ensuring the seamless flow of products to support True Value’s growth and member success.
With over 15 years of experience in financial leadership and strategy, Matt is responsible for overseeing financial planning, budgeting, and ensuring alignment with the company’s growth strategies. Most recently, he played an important role on both the United Hardware and True Value transaction teams. Matt served as Treasurer at Do it Best, where he focused on working capital management, financing member growth initiatives, and debt and treasury management. He also held finance leadership roles at WernerCo, specializing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and financial reporting.
Throughout his career, Matt has been involved in 11 M&A transactions globally and has led functional integration teams post-acquisition, demonstrating his expertise in enhancing financial processes, strategic planning, and optimizing financial performance across complex organizations. Matt is dedicated to ensuring robust financial health and supporting True Value’s growth initiatives. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2011 and is currently pursuing an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
Rob is an experienced executive with over 36 years in the independent home improvement channel. He has a proven track record in leading sales operations, with roles ranging from Regional Sales Manager to Director of Sales Operations. Leading the Operations and Sales Enablement division, he focuses on optimizing operational efficiencies and empowering the sales team to better serve stores and drive growth. Rob brings a deep understanding of both sales strategy and operational execution, ensuring seamless support for the company’s independent stores.
Ken is an accomplished supply chain leader with over 24 years of experience. He leads a team committed to ensuring supply chain stability, managing all inbound operations to our nationwide network of warehouses as well as overseeing import logistics operations from overseas suppliers. Previously serving as Infrastructure Project Director, he oversaw key infrastructure projects to enhance operational efficiency and support store owners’ success. He managed $300 million in inventory across eight warehouses and guided a team dedicated to driving supply chain improvements and cost reduction. With a focus on strategic leadership and continuous improvement, Ken has consistently delivered significant cost savings, enhanced supply chain visibility, and streamlined logistics operations.
Celeste is an accomplished human resources executive with nearly two decades of experience at Do it Best. Guiding the Human Resources division, she leads strategic initiatives focused on talent development, employee engagement, and optimizing human capital management. Throughout her career, Celeste has demonstrated expertise in leadership development, compensation strategy, and employee benefits design, contributing to a positive and productive work environment. Her deep knowledge of HR strategy and passion for supporting the growth of both individuals and the organization make her a key leader in fostering a thriving workplace culture.
John has over four decades of experience in the paint and coatings industry. Since 2021, he has overseen all aspects of manufacturing and business development, focusing on growth, operational excellence, and aligning strategic initiatives. Prior to joining True Value, John served as Senior Director of Business Development at Benjamin Moore, where he developed and implemented growth strategies for national accounts, government, and regional distributors, and successfully advocated for regulatory changes regarding Zero VOC standards. He led J.C. Licht as President, where he oversaw 31 retail stores, improved gross profit, reduced accounts receivable, and fostered a “Best in Class” operational culture. John is an active board member of the American Coatings Association (ACA) and currently serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Board for ACA PaintCare. He is also the President of the True Value Foundation, an organization committed to supporting youth in local communities.
Jenna is an innovative and results-driven marketing leader, specializing in strategic and operational initiatives that drive growth and member success. She excels at bringing diverse constituencies together to achieve broader organizational strategies, leveraging her experience in data-driven marketing and relationship building. Jenna previously served as the company’s Sales and Service Manager, where she led high-impact marketing strategies, and as a Consumer Marketing Specialist, where she provided tailored solutions to enhance member performance. Jenna is passionate about creating meaningful connections and delivering measurable results for store owners.
Randy leads strategic communications initiatives to educate and grow the company’s membership base. With over 30 years in the industry, Randy has held roles including Executive Director of the Do it Best Foundation, where he strengthened community engagement and advanced the foundation’s financial health and impact. His tenure also includes 12 years as Communications Director, where he developed the company’s communications strategy and managed media relations. Throughout his career, Randy has consistently demonstrated leadership in strategic planning, organizational development, and fostering relationships that enhance business, staff, and community outcomes.