Eric van der Valk - CEO of Ollie's Bargain Outlet

Eric van der Valk - CEO of Ollie's Bargain Outlet will talk about the explosive growth of one of the fasted public companies headquartered here in Harrisburg. 

Eric van der Valk has been the President and Chief Executive Officer for Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Inc. since February 2, 2025.  Before that, he served as Ollie’s President since June of 2024, and before that, as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since joining Ollie’s in May of 2021.  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, Mr. van der Valk 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, Mr. van der Valk 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.  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.  Mr. van der Valk has extensive industry, company, operational, financial, and board experience acquired from having served as our own President, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer, and, prior to that, serving in executive and board roles at various retailers.