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.

James Comitale has been our Senior Vice President and General Counsel since October 2021, and our Corporate Secretary since June of 2022. Prior to joining Ollie’s, Mr. Comitale was with Rite Aid Corporation (“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 tenure with Rite Aid, Mr. Comitale was responsible for the legal function of the organization including corporate compliance, governance, mergers and acquisitions, contract and document negotiation and drafting, and counseling, all to enhance Rite Aid’s strategy, operations 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 management. Mr. Comitale obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from La Salle University and his Juris Doctor degree from The Dickinson School of Law, Penn State University.