Our Team
Meet the people behind School Specialty – experts in their own fields, with a common goal of moving learning forward.

Ryan M. Bohr
President & Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Baehler
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Laura Ackmann
Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Allen Hoeppner
Senior Vice President, Merchandising & Category Management
Ryan M. Bohr
President & Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Bohr is a senior executive with more than 20 years of operations and finance leadership experience. Throughout his career, he has specialized in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing, investment strategies and the development and execution of operational improvement plans. He joined School Specialty in October 2014 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, having most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Matters, LLC, an early stage specialty beverage company. While with Fresh Matters, he helped the Company structure a capital infusion and bridge financing; successfully relocated its primary production line; and established a multi-year contract manufacturing agreement. He was also instrumental in the creation of a national broker and distribution network, which led to impressive growth during his tenure. Additionally, he was responsible for the development and implementation of new accounting and reporting systems, inventory management controls and various operational efficiency programs. Prior to Fresh Matters, Mr. Bohr served as a Partner with Hilco Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on special situations. During his more than 10 years with Hilco, Mr. Bohr played a key role in all aspects of the firm’s activities, including fundraising, day-to-day portfolio company operations and execution of the firm’s investment strategy across the consumer and industrial industries. Earlier in his career, he held positions with Thoma Cressey Equity Partners, a middle-market private equity firm and William Blair & Co., a well-known financial services company. He is a Certified Public Accountant and began his career at KPMG Peat Marwick, a leading public accounting firm. Mr. Bohr is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and is a Trustee of College Preparatory High School, Marmion Academy.
Kevin Baehler
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Kevin L. Baehler has been Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President at School Specialty, Inc. since October 2014. Mr. Baehler served as an Interim Chief Financial Officer of School Specialty, Inc. since January 1, 2014 and serves as its Interim Treasurer. Mr. Baehler served as Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller of School Specialty Inc., since April 2008 and 2004 respectively and served as its Chief Accounting Officer. He served as an Interim Chief Financial Officer of School Specialty Inc. from July 2, 2007 to April 22, 2008, and its Vice President from 2007 to April 22, 2008. Since joining School Specialty, he was responsible for all aspects of its financial reporting process. Prior to joining School Specialty, he spent six years with GE Healthcare, a division of General Electric Company in various financial positions, and served as its Assistant Global Controller. Mr. Baehler obtained his undergraduate Degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Allen Hoeppner
Senior Vice President of Merchandising

Mr. Hoeppner has over 30 years of progressive experience in a variety of leadership roles spanning across Merchandising, Marketing and Operations in the restaurant, retail and consumer business sectors. He has the proven ability to combine vision, leadership and creativity with a well-developed understanding of the marketplace to develop and execute business strategies which deliver successful customer-focused solutions. He began his career in the restaurant industry gaining experience in customer service, supply chain strategies and P&L management. He then joined the Shopko retail business in store operations and then became a senior buyer, gaining deep strategic knowledge in product and market development, competitive positions and supply chain strategy and execution. Allen joined School Specialty in 2008 where he has held a variety of roles in Merchandising and Operations providing strategic oversight and business expansion execution. In his current role he is responsible for leadership and oversite of furniture and supplies merchandising, category assortment and supplier matrix management as well as proprietary brand manufacturing. Allen’s team keeps School Specialty relevant in the marketplace where our depth and breadth of product offering is unparalleled. Allen earned his BBA in Business with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
Joseph Geltz
Senior Vice President – Operations & Process Excellence

Joe Geltz joined School Specialty in 2014 after a 25-year career in various operational leadership roles across a variety of businesses which included Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Corporate Express and Staples Co. Prior to joining School Specialty, Joe held a variety of positions responsible for managing large complex operations overseeing inventory, asset management and driving key efficiencies within the supply chain continuum. While working at Staples Joe earned his Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification and Process Design for Lean Six Sigma Certification jump starting his passion for driving business process improvements. As Senior Vice President, Operations and Process Excellence, he is responsible for the Company’s fulfillment centers, supply chain, transportation, facilities and driving the Company’s Operational Excellence initiatives.
Jason Belsito
Senior Vice President – Information Technology & Program Management

Jason has over 20 years of leadership experience in the consumer products, retail and manufacturing industries. Throughout his career, he has specialized in the development and execution of sales enablement and customer engagement strategies that deliver transformational business capabilities. He has extensive experience creating go-to market strategies, harmonizing cross functional business processes and leading high performing teams that deliver world-class customer experiences that surface business opportunities. Jason joined School Specialty in December of 2018 as the Vice President of Sales Enablement & Customer Engagement. In May of 2020 he assumed the role of Senior Vice President of IT & Program Management. Prior to School Specialty, Jason held various leadership roles in business operations, retail development, IT and program management at MTD Products, Inc, a global leader in the outdoor power equipment space. Jason proudly served in the United States Marine Corps for 8 years and attended Cleveland State University.
Jeff Hemstead
Regional Vice President, Sales

For more than 20 years, Jeff Hemstead has been a sales leader with large Supply Distributors, having previously worked at Corporate Express and Staples. Throughout his career, he has specialized in building results-oriented selling organizations, strategic leadership, forming trusted business relationships, and exceeding customer expectations. He joined School Specialty in January 2017 as Vice President of Sales -West, where he is responsible for driving the company’s revenue and budget responsibilities for half of the US and Canada. Prior to joining School Specialty, Jeff served as the Market Vice President of Sales for Corporate Express and Enterprise Sales Director at Staples. Jeff has a B.A in Business Administration from Linfield College.
Christopher O’Connor
Regional Vice President, Sales

Chris has been with School Specialty for 20 years; succeeding in several roles. He began his career as an Account Manager and has held positions in Learning Environments, as a Regional Sales Manager, and has been a Regional Vice President since 2014. He brings a vast knowledge of sales process and strategic thinking to his team having previously held positions in software and architectural specialty sales. Chris holds certificates from many professional development seminars, including- Miller Heiman, Proudfoot Consulting, ITC, and 3M. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from American International College and is a dual citizen with the Republic of Ireland.
Timothy Ferraro
Vice President, Inside Sales

For more than 18 years, Tim Ferraro has specialized in a results oriented, strategic thought leadership focus with both internal and external customers in the Supply Distribution space. Prior to coming to School Specialty, Tim was with W.W. Grainger and Hagemeyer/Vallen in the Industrial Supply industry with roles starting with Account Manager and working up to Inside Regional Sales Manager to Regional Sales Market Manager. Tim joined School Specialty in 2017 and has held the roles of Midwest Regional Sales Manager; Director of Sales, East Region; National Director of Sales before moving into his current role as Vice President of Inside Sales. Tim has a B.A in Business Administration; Marketing from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Mark Esstman
Vice President - Curriculum

Mark has worked in education for over 20 years, including 6 years as a classroom teacher. Mark spent a decade selling a full portfolio of curriculum resources at McGraw-Hill Education with a focus on digital first resources. Transitioning to Discovery Education, Mark built out his own team to target key states and territories and expand business development. At School Specialty LLC, Mark oversees the Curriculum business in both U.S. and international markets, driving day-to-day business decisions to maximize sales and increase profitability. He has his Master’s degree in Math and Science Education.