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True Value has named a new member of its senior leadership team. Chris Kempa will now serve as chief commercial officer, reporting directly to True Value president and CEO John Hartmann.
“Chris is an exceptional addition to True Value with 25 years of experience in the product distribution sector and we are truly excited to have him join our team,” Hartmann says. “As True Value continues to execute against our strategic priorities and long-term business growth plans, I am confident his experienced leadership and deep industry knowledge will play an important role in our continued success.”
In this newly created role, Kempa will oversee the development and execution of an integrated merchandising, sales and pricing go-to-market strategy.
Kempa comes to True Value from Essendant Inc., where he most recently served as group president, industrial. In that role, he oversaw four business units: ORS Nasco, MEDCO, CPO Outlets and Essendant Canada. His prior leadership experience includes merchandising, pricing, marketing and product management among others.
Kempa holds an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, as well as a master’s certificate in project management from George Washington University.
True Value is headquartered in Chicago and is one of the world’s leading hardlines wholesalers. For more insight into the company and its plans for 2020, read Hardware Retailing’s recent Q&A with Hartmann and discover how its paint factory is bringing new possibilities to its members.
