Note: Chris Kempa served as CEO of True Value Company from 2020 until the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2024. True Value was subsequently acquired by Do it Best Corp. for $153 million, with the sale completed on November 22, 2024. True Value now operates as a subsidiary of Do it Best under CEO Dan Starr, with Dent Johnson serving as President of True Value.
True Value Company, the iconic American hardware wholesale cooperative founded in 1948, was led by CEO Chris Kempa from 2020 until the company’s acquisition by Do it Best in late 2024. Kempa joined True Value in December 2019 as Chief Commercial Officer and was promoted to CEO in 2020, succeeding John Hartmann. During his tenure, Kempa focused on pricing strategy, merchandising, and supporting the network of approximately 4,500 independently owned True Value hardware stores across the United States. However, financial pressures exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising costs ultimately led True Value to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2024, culminating in its sale to Do it Best Corp.
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Chris Kempa – Quick Facts
True Value Company Competitors
True Value Company operated in the highly competitive hardware wholesale and retail industry. The key competitors of True Value include:
- Ace Hardware – largest hardware cooperative with 5,000+ stores in 60+ countries
- Do it Best – hardware cooperative that ultimately acquired True Value in 2024
- Orgill – independent hardware distributor and wholesale supplier
- Lowe’s – second-largest home improvement retailer in the U.S.
- Home Depot – world’s largest home improvement retailer
- Menards – Midwest-focused home improvement chain
- Tractor Supply Co. – rural lifestyle retail chain
Chris Kempa Net Worth 2026 – True Value Company CEO Salary
As of 2026, Chris Kempa’s net worth is estimated at approximately $12–16 million USD. This estimate reflects his cumulative earnings from his career spanning more than 25 years in the product distribution and wholesale industry, including senior leadership roles at W.W. Grainger, Essendant, and True Value Company. As True Value was a privately held cooperative, detailed executive compensation disclosures were not publicly filed with the SEC.
True Value CEO Compensation Breakdown (Estimated)
Note: True Value Company was a privately held wholesale cooperative, so detailed executive compensation data was not disclosed in public SEC filings. The figures above are estimates based on comparable roles in similar-sized wholesale and distribution companies.
True Value Company Net Worth – Is True Value Profitable?
True Value Company generated approximately $1.5–2 billion in wholesale revenue annually, serving a retail network that collectively produced about $6 billion in retail sales through roughly 4,500 independently owned stores. However, financial pressures from inflation, rising interest rates, and lasting effects of COVID-19 led the company to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 14, 2024. The company was subsequently sold to Do it Best Corp. for $153 million, with the acquisition closing on November 22, 2024.
True Value Company Financial Summary
Key Development: True Value filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 14, 2024, citing liquidity challenges from inflation and rising interest rates. Do it Best acquired the company for $153 million, creating the world’s largest cooperative network of independent home improvement retailers with combined revenues exceeding $4.7 billion.
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True Value Company CEO Email | Chris Kempa Contact
Below are the contact details and social media profiles associated with former True Value Company CEO Chris Kempa. Note that since True Value’s acquisition by Do it Best, corporate email addresses may no longer be active.
Career & Education – Company, University, & College
Chris Kempa’s career spans over 25 years in product distribution, wholesale operations, and retail leadership. He built a distinguished track record at several major distribution companies before taking the helm at True Value.
Chris Kempa Career Timeline
Kempa began his career at W.W. Grainger in 1994, where he spent more than two decades rising through the ranks. He joined as a Director and progressed to VP of Global Sourcing and Export, gaining deep expertise in product distribution, supply chain management, and global sourcing operations.
In 2015, he moved to Essendant (formerly known as United Stationers), where he served as SVP of Merchandising before being promoted to Group President of the Industrial division. At Essendant, he oversaw four business units: ORS Nasco, MEDCO, CPO Outlets, and Essendant Canada.
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Kempa joined True Value Company in December 2019 in the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer, focusing on pricing, sales, and merchandising strategy. He was promoted to CEO in 2020, succeeding John Hartmann. As CEO, he led the company through the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic challenges. He also steered the company through its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in October 2024 and the sale to Do it Best.
Education
Chris Kempa Wiki – Age, Family, & More
Chris Kempa, approximately 56 years old as of 2026, is based in the Greater Chicago, Illinois area. He maintains a private personal life, and details about his spouse and family are not widely available in public sources. Kempa is recognized for his expertise in team leadership, product management, sales operations, supply chain management, and competitive analysis.
Notable Achievements & Recognitions
- Crain’s Chicago Business Who’s Who (2024) – Named to the Who’s Who in Chicago Business list
- Lake Forest Graduate School Board – Appointed to the Board of Directors of Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in 2013
- 20+ Year Grainger Veteran – Built a two-decade career at W.W. Grainger, one of the world’s largest industrial distributors
- COVID-19 Leadership – Guided True Value through the pandemic, ensuring continuity for independent hardware retailers designated as essential businesses
- Managed Orderly Sale – Navigated True Value through Chapter 11 bankruptcy and secured the Do it Best acquisition to preserve the brand and member network
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About True Value Company
True Value Company is an American hardware wholesale cooperative that traces its origins to 1948, when John Cotter and 12 hardware dealers founded Cotter & Company in Sycamore, Illinois. The company acquired the “True Value” trademark in 1962 and grew to become one of the largest hardware cooperatives in the United States. In 1997, Cotter & Company merged with ServiStar to form TruServ Corporation, which was renamed True Value Company in 2006.
True Value served approximately 4,500 independently owned stores, providing product distribution, marketing support, and store-level merchandising assistance. The company operated 12 distribution centers and also manufactured its own line of EasyCare paint. In October 2024, True Value filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was acquired by Do it Best Corp. for $153 million. The combined entity now serves over 8,000 stores and generates more than $4.7 billion in annual revenue, making it the world’s largest cooperative network of independent home improvement retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the CEO of True Value Company?
Chris Kempa served as CEO of True Value Company from 2020 until the company’s acquisition by Do it Best in November 2024. Following the acquisition, Dan Starr serves as CEO of the combined Do it Best and True Value organization, with Dent Johnson serving as President of True Value.
What is Chris Kempa’s net worth?
Chris Kempa’s net worth is estimated at $12–16 million USD, based on his cumulative earnings from over 25 years in senior executive roles at W.W. Grainger, Essendant, and True Value Company. As True Value was a private company, specific stock holdings and compensation details were not publicly disclosed.
What happened to True Value Company?
True Value Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 14, 2024, citing liquidity challenges from inflation, rising interest rates, and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company was sold to Do it Best Corp. for $153 million, with the sale closing on November 22, 2024. True Value now operates as a subsidiary of Do it Best.
What is True Value CEO Chris Kempa’s email address?
Chris Kempa’s email address was [email protected] during his tenure as CEO. However, this address may no longer be active following the Do it Best acquisition. He can be found on LinkedIn for professional inquiries.
What was Chris Kempa’s salary at True Value?
Chris Kempa’s total annual compensation as True Value CEO was estimated at $3–6 million, including base salary, performance bonuses, and long-term incentives. Exact figures were not publicly disclosed as True Value was a privately held wholesale cooperative.
What is Chris Kempa’s educational background?
Chris Kempa holds a Bachelor of Science from Western Illinois University, an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, and a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University. He also served on the Board of Directors of Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.
Article last updated:January 2026March 2, 2026
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including corporate press releases, news reports, and professional profiles. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Net worth and salary figures are estimates and may vary by source.