Executive Officers

Eric van der Valk has been our President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director since February 2025. He joined Ollie’s as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in May 2021 and was promoted to President in June 2024 Prior to joining Ollie’s, Mr. van der Valk served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Christmas Tree Shops (“CTS”), a discount retailer specializing in seasonal, home decor, consumables, and closeout merchandise. After joining CTS in 2005, shortly after it was purchased by Bed Bath and Beyond, he assumed roles of increasing responsibility, leading to his appointment to Chief Operating Officer in 2018 and President and Chief Operating Officer in 2019. Prior to CTS, he held various financial and merchandising roles at May Department Stores Filene’s and Robinsons-May divisions including Vice President Merchandise Planning & Allocation and Divisional Controller from 1998 to 2005. Prior to this, he served as head of store operations for KB Toys. Mr. van der Valk also serves on the Board of Directors of Brightmore Brands, the largest privately held for-profit thrift store chain in North America.

Robert Helm has been our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since June 2024. Mr. Helm joined as our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in October 2022. In his role as Executive Vice President, Mr. Helm also has responsibility for Real Estate and Information Technology. Prior to joining Ollie’s in 2022, Mr. Helm served as Chief Financial Officer of The Children’s Place, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCE) (“TCP”), a children’s specialty apparel retailer. After joining TCP in 2016 as Vice President and Controller, he assumed roles of increasing responsibility, leading to his appointment to Chief Financial Officer in 2021. Prior to TCP, he held various finance leadership roles at prominent retailers including Ralph Lauren, rag & bone, and FreshDirect. Mr. Helm began his career in public accounting and auditing, including at KPMG, and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Chris Zender has been our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since June 2024. Prior to joining Ollie's, Mr. Zender was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Variety Stores. He joined Variety Wholesalers in 2013 as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in 2023. Prior to joining Variety Wholesalers in 2013, Mr. Zender was a RPSM, South Atlantic for Home Depot from 2011 to 2013. He joined Home Depot following three years as an owner of an Atlanta-based construction company. Previously, Mr. Zender worked at K&G Fashion Superstore/The Men's Wearhouse from 2001-2008 assuming roles of increased responsibility leading to his role as President, K&G in 2004. Prior to K&G, he held various operating roles at Value City Department Stores and CR Anthony Company including Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Stores, respectively.

Larry Kraus has been our Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer since April 2024. Mr. Kraus joined in February 2017 as Vice President, Chief Information Officer. Prior to joining Ollie’s, Mr. Kraus served as Vice President of Technology for The Bon-Ton Stores, a regional department store chain, a position he held since March 2008. Prior to this, Mr. Kraus held the position of Divisional Vice President, Technical Services and Operations at the Bon-Ton Stores. Prior to joining The Bon-Ton Stores, Mr. Kraus held various information technology positions at Rite Aid Corporation and Walmart.

Shane Thorton has been our Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager since March 2025. Mr. Thorton joined Ollie’s in 2010 and has advanced through various merchandise roles with increasing responsibility. He served as Vice President of Merchandising from November 2019 to March 2025, where he was responsible for developing and executing merchandising initiatives that drove company growth and market expansion. Prior to this, he held the role of Vice President – Divisional Merchandise Manager from July 2018 to November 2019, and Divisional Merchandise Manager from July 2017 to July 2018, overseeing product selection and vendor partnerships. Mr. Thornton began his career with Ollie’s as a buyer, a role he held from August 2010 through July 2017.

Jared Shure has been our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since June 2026. Prior to joining Ollie’s, Mr. Shure was Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of The Children’s Place, where he oversaw Legal, Human Resources, Corporate Governance, and Enterprise Risk functions. Prior to his role with The Children’s Place, he served in senior legal roles at Kate Spade & Company and Tapestry, Inc. He began his legal career as a Mergers and Acquisitions associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and O’Melveny & Myers LLP. Mr. Shure earned his BS in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his JD from Cornell Law School.