Management Team

John Swygert has been our Chief Executive Officer and President since December 2019. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Swygert was our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since January 2018. Mr. Swygert joined Ollie’s in March 2004 as our Chief Financial Officer and was later promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2011. Mr. Swygert has worked in discount retail as a finance professional for over 27 years. Prior to joining Ollie’s, Mr. Swygert was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. He held several positions while at Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. from 1992, ranging from Staff Accountant, Assistant Controller, Controller, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, Vice President of Finance and Planning, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Swygert also previously worked for PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. in Business Development and Financial Analysis. He serves on the Board of Directors of Truck Hero Holdings, Inc., a privately held company, since 2018.

Eric van der Valk joined Ollie's as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in May 2021. Eric most recently 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 VP Planning/Replenishment/MIS and Divisional Controller from 1998 to 2005. Prior to this, he served as head of store operations for KB Toys.

Rob Helm joined Ollie’s as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in October 2022. Rob most recently served as Chief Financial Officer at The Children’s Place. He joined The Children’s Place in 2016 as Vice President and Controller and took on roles of increasing responsibility, culminating in his appointment as CFO in April 2021. Prior to this, he served as Vice President and Controller for FreshDirect and rag & bone. Rob also worked in finance at Ralph Lauren, where he ultimately served as Vice President, U.S. Regional Controller. He began his career in public accounting and auditing, including KPMG LLP.

Kevin McLain has been our Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager since May 2014. From May 2011 to May 2014, Mr. McLain was a Senior Vice President with Variety Wholesalers, where he was responsible for merchandising matters. From January 1997 to May 2011, Mr. McLain held the position of Vice President, Merchandise Manager with Anna’s Linens, a textile and home goods retailer based in Costa Mesa, California. Prior to his position with Anna’s Linens, Mr. McLain served in various managerial roles for the Target Corporation.

James Comitale has been our Senior Vice President and General Counsel since October 2021. Prior to joining Ollie’s, Mr. Comitale was with Rite Aid for 23 years, where he advanced from the position of Associate Counsel to Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. During his employment with Rite Aid, he was responsible for large-scale sales, mergers and acquisitions, document negotiation and drafting, due diligence, and integration to enhance Rite Aid’s strategy and business footprint. He also directed all manner of high-stakes federal and state litigation, managed the legal department and outside counsel, and handled all types of HR matters and investigations, from retail and pharmacy operations up through executive leadership associates. Mr. Comitale obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from La Salle University and a Juris Doctor degree from The Dickinson School of Law, Penn State University.

Larry Kraus joined Ollie’s in February 2017 as 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 positions at Rite Aid and Walmart. Mr. Kraus obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas after serving in the United States Air Force for four years.