Management Team

John Swygert has been our Chief Executive Officer since December 2019 and also held the role of President from December 2019 to June 2024. Prior to his appointment to President and Chief Executive Officer, 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 for over 30 years. Prior to joining Ollie’s, Mr. Swygert was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. Prior to this, Mr. Swygert held several positions of increasing authority at Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. from 1992, including Staff Accountant, Assistant Controller, Controller, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, and Vice President of Finance and Planning. Mr. Swygert also previously worked for PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. in Business Development and Financial Analysis. Mr. Swygert served on the Board of Directors of Truck Hero Holdings, Inc., a privately held company, from 2018 through January 2021. Since July 2021, Mr. Swygert has served on the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee of Hillman Solutions Corp. (Nasdaq: HLMN). Mr. Swygert’s extensive industry, company, and operational experience acquired from having served as our Chief Executive Officer since December 2019, and, prior to that, serving as our Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and in other various positions prior to joining Ollie’s, qualify him to serve as one of our directors

Eric van der Valk has been our President since June 2024. Mr. van der Valk joined as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in May 2021 and was promoted to President in June 2024, taking on additional responsibility for Marketing. Prior to joining Ollie’s in 2021, 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 Planning and Divisional Controller from 1998 to 2005. Prior to this, Mr. van der Valk served as head of store operations for KB Toys.

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 and was promoted to Executive Vice President in June 2024, taking on additional responsibility for Real Estate. 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.

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 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.