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OFFICIAL FOUNDING SPONSORS

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

hile there is no way to repay the sacrifices made by veterans of the armed forces, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) recognizes that not only have these individuals made a lasting impact on their country, but they are also a prominent and positive influence within the home improvement industry. To honor the ongoing impact military veterans make throughout the home improvement industry, in 2025, NHPA launched the Helmets to Home Improvement recognition program, with the Hardlines Supplier Event and DIY CON as the program’s official founding sponsor and venue partner. If you have a military veteran in your operation, please visit YourNHPA.org/veterans to nominate them as a Helmets to Home Improvement honoree.

NHPA | 2026 Helmets to Home Improvement

TABLE OF CONTENTS Scott Morath.. ............................................03 Cole Atwood..............................................05 Tim Kromholtz..........................................07 Ty Sordelet.................................................09 Joe Rawson.. ................................................11 Joe Swortz.. ................................................. 13 Logan McEniry........................................... 15 Sam Mackey...............................................17 Daniel Keliikoa...........................................19

Thank You to Our Official Founding Sponsor & Venue Partner

Thank You to Our Program Sponsors

2026 Helmets to Home Improvement | NHPA

SCOTT MORATH U.S. Marine Corps ALLPRO

NHPA | 2026 Helmets to Home Improvement

“Independents are out there every day believing in themselves and their team, fighting to make their community a better place for themselves, their families, and their employees.” —Scott Morath, ALLPRO

acing a life-changing list of obstacles and challenges while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Scott Morath uses the toolkit of skills he gained during his time in military service in his leadership role today in the independent channel. Morath’s military journey began when the Marines sparked his interest while he was searching for next steps after high school and learned his cousin had enlisted. “The Marines sounded like a fun option, so I went to the recruiter and told him I wanted to enlist,” he says. “It was that simple.” Morath served for eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, first as a rifleman at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he was deployed throughout the Mediterranean. While deployed, he participated in Operation Sharp Edge, a noncombatant evacuation of the American Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia, during the first Liberian civil war. Morath was then deployed to Operation Desert Shield and Storm in Saudi Arabia. Upon his return, he re-enlisted and was reclassified as a legal specialist in 1992, working in various roles for the staff judge advocate’s office stationed in Quantico, Virginia. After his time in active duty, Morath worked for Headquarters Marine Corps for six years before moving back to Tampa, Florida. There, he found a marketing role at ALLPRO through a staffing agency. He was hired for the position and went back to school shortly after to earn a degree in marketing and communications. Today, Morath serves as ALLPRO’s vice president of marketing. The variety of the independent channel is one of Morath’s favorite aspects of working in the industry.

“Everyone here at ALLPRO has a broad range of responsibilities,” he says. “Plus, I don’t know if you’ve looked around this industry lately, but there’s a colorful cast of characters out there and this office is no different. It makes coming to work every day fun.” Morath says the thick skin and “never say die” mindset he gained during his time in the military have brought him far in the independent channel. “The independent channel is full of obstacles and challenges, and I think having that military mindset goes a long way in dealing with those,” he says. Morath discovered a profound purpose during his time serving as a Marine. He carries that purpose into not only his current role at ALLPRO, but into his life. “My favorite part about serving was when I found the most meaning or purpose,” he says. “We evacuated over 2,600 people in Monrovia during a bloody coup and later secured Iraqi positions as we pushed through Kuwait in the Gulf War. Moments like those are what we trained for and the ones I reminisce about the most.” Morath believes a veteran’s motivation and ideology are qualities that equip them well for the independent channel. “I believe we served because we are idealists at heart and wanted to contribute to the good fight,” he says. “I think that ideology is what makes veterans a good fit for the independent channel. Independents are out there every day believing in themselves and their team, fighting to make their community a better place for themselves, their families, and their employees.”

2026 Helmets to Home Improvement | NHPA

COLE ATWOOD U.S. Army | Do it Best

NHPA | 2026 Helmets to Home Improvement

rom a legacy of military service to finding a new home at Do it Best, Cole Atwood’s journey from the U.S. Army to the independent home improvement industry was marked by dedication and teamwork. Growing up, Atwood was surrounded by military tradition, with his father serving in the Army during the Vietnam War and his grandfather, many of his uncles and several cousins also serving in all branches of the U.S. armed forces. While influenced by all his military family members, Atwood felt called to follow in his father’s footsteps and serve in the U.S. Army after 9/11 and the U.S. involvement in the Global War on Terror. “I wanted to do my part to serve my country, just as my father did when he felt he needed to do his part in Vietnam,” says Atwood. Atwood served for 10 years from 2004 to 2014 in the U.S. Army. He began as a welder and metalworker, and after being promoted to sergeant, Atwood worked as a training noncommissioned officer (NCO), ran administrative offices and worked in welding shops. He ended his time in the Army serving three and a half years as a recruiter in Arizona.

Finding a New Home

Following his service in the Army, Atwood took his military skills, tactics and mindset to Do it Best in Mesquite, Nevada, where he now serves as general manager of the Mesquite Retail Service Center. “I started with Do it Best after moving to Mesquite to try to find my home after the military,” Atwood says. Atwood instantly fell in love with Do it Best’s team-centered mentality. Coming from a family of DIY enthusiasts, he felt right at home working at Do it Best with his knowledge of welding, woodworking and mechanics. “The home improvement part was a perfect fit. I knew the products we sold, and I cared about providing them to our members,” Atwood says. “Do it Best functions as one big team, including our members.” Atwood quickly felt belonging in the Mesquite community, as well. “Mesquite, Nevada, is also pretty cool itself,” he says. “I am close enough to the outdoors of Southern Utah, but far away enough from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas.” The direct, personalized service he provides to customers, and the opportunity independent hardware stores have to compete with big-box stores through the co-op model are a few aspects Atwood appreciates about the independent channel.

“Some of my core memories come from going to the local hardware store with my dad as a kid,” he says.

Leadership Lessons

Reflecting on his time in the armed forces, Atwood says his most beloved memories are those with his brothers and sisters in arms and the team mentality they shared. “The Army, and my many mentors in uniform, have shaped me to be the leader I am today,” he says. “I still think back to First Sergeant Ian Bush, and I strive to make him proud everyday. Those skills cannot be bought and are very hard to learn. You can’t fake them.” Atwood believes veterans are well-equipped for the independent hardware industry with the experience and knowledge they gained while in military service. “In my opinion, veterans are a great fit for this environment. We are problem-solvers, team players and we have done much harder things in our previous roles,” Atwood says. “Most people say the military made us stronger, but I like to think that it just made us better. The wisdom, experience and values we learned and lived will forever benefit us, as long as we do not forget that while we may be out of uniform, our service to others is still very present in our lives each day.”

2026 Helmets to Home Improvement | NHPA

TIM KROMHOLTZ U.S. Air National Guard Ziegler Lumber Company

lways ready. Always there. The venerable motto of the U.S. National Guard is what Tim Kromholtz lived out during his time in the Washington Air National Guard and still adheres to in his executive role in the independent home improvement industry. Kromholtz’s military journey began in July 1978 when he was seeking college assistance. He enlisted in the Air National Guard, initially serving as an electrician and later working as a power production mechanic. During his 20 years of service, Kromholtz deployed to Denmark, Germany, Portugal and the Dominican Republic and several domestic training deployments, completing his service in July 1998.

NHPA | 2026 Helmets to Home Improvement

“Military veterans are a valuable asset to the independent channel. They understand the chain of command, the principle of loyalty and organizational abilities.” —Tim Kromholtz, Ziegler Lumber Company “My favorite part of my time in service was the brotherhood of fellow service members and the sense of patriotic duty I gained,” Kromholtz says. While still serving with the Guard, Kromholtz utilized his military benefits and graduated from college in 1987 with a degree in accounting. Kromholtz began in an accounting role at Ziegler Lumber Company, entering the independent home improvement channel. His employer was a strong supporter of Kromholtz’s military obligations until he retired from the military in 1998. Today, as Ziegler’s chief information officer, he advises and manages projects, finding satisfaction in improving the efficiency of Ziegler Lumber employees’ operations. Kromholtz attributes his success in the independent channel to the leadership skills and appreciation for team dynamics he gained during his military service. “Military veterans are a valuable asset to the independent channel,” he says. “They understand the chain of command, the principle of loyalty and organizational abilities.”

2026 Helmets to Home Improvement | NHPA

TY SORDELET U.S. Navy | Do it Best

shared commitment and the ability to contribute to something greater than himself are what pushed Ty Sordelet to join the U.S. Navy in 2006. “I wanted to serve my country and lead others who had the same commitment to service,” Sordelet says. “The military provided an opportunity to develop leadership skills and work with highly motivated teams.” Sordelet served in the Navy until 2018 as a nuclear submarine officer, where he was responsible for overseeing the operation, maintenance and strategic execution of nuclear-powered submarines. “This role required a deep technical understanding, leadership in high-stakes environments and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure,” he says.

NHPA | 2026 Helmets to Home Improvement

The relationships Sordelet built during his military service are the most rewarding parts of his time in the Navy. “There’s an inherent trust among those who serve, even with people you’ve just met, because of the shared mission and reliance on one another,” he says. “The camaraderie and teamwork in the military are unmatched, and those bonds last a lifetime.” After his time in service, Sordelet found his way to the independent home improvement channel through networking, connecting with friends, neighbors and past classmates. “Those personal connections helped me transition from military service into the business world,” Sordelet says.

New Opportunities to Lead

Today, Sordelet serves as vice president of logistics at Do it Best, where he oversees logistics operations across multiple distribution centers, ensuring supply chain efficiency and optimizing distribution strategies. “Working in the independent channel, I appreciate the flexibility and ability to approach and solve problems in different ways,” he says. “Unlike large, rigid corporate structures, the independent channel allows for creativity, adaptability and direct problem-solving that impacts businesses and communities in a meaningful way.” Having grit and learning how to prioritize are traits Sordelet learned during his time in military service and characteristics he took to the independent channel and still uses in his role today.

“The ability to assess situations quickly, identify what truly matters and execute solutions efficiently translates directly to managing operations, leading teams and navigating challenges in the business world.” —Ty Sordelet, Do it Best “The ability to assess situations quickly, identify what truly matters and execute solutions efficiently translates directly to managing operations, leading teams and navigating challenges in the business world,” he says. Sordelet believes military veterans’ ability to process situations quickly, apply resources effectively and track and lead initiatives to 100% completion prepares them well for careers in the independent channel. “Leadership experience, a problem-solving mindset and the ability to operate in dynamic environments make military veteran’s a strong fit for the independent channel, where adaptability and execution are key to success,” he says.

2026 Helmets to Home Improvement | NHPA

JOE RAWSON U.S. Air Force & U.S. National Guard RJ Dunham’s Inc.

dream since childhood, Joe Rawson always knew he wanted to be in the military. Rawson served in the U.S. Air Force starting in 1998. He served on active duty until 2004, and then full time in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard until October 2018, when he transitioned to his current role as a drilling status guardsman. During his time in service, Rawson served in eight deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. He worked as an Airlift and Special Operations Navigator, directing low-level flight navigation and airdrop operations. “My favorite part about serving was getting to see the world and gaining the friends I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had,” Rawson says.

NHPA | 2026 Helmets to Home Improvement

“The skills and techniques the military taught me— like planning, problem analysis, problem solving and the ability to make decisions, reevaluate and adjust as required—work well in this channel.” —Joe Rawson, RJ Dunham’s Inc. A New Role

Stepping in to help his wife’s family’s business when they lost a general manager, Rawson began working at RJ Dunham’s Inc. in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Today, Rawson works as general manager and part owner for the hardware division of RJ Dunham’s Inc., where he has served for over six years. His experience working for his father as a teenager prepared Rawson well for a role in the hardware industry. “My dad was a contractor, and I worked for him through high school and college,” he says. “That knowledge has been invaluable.” The independence of running his own operation and being able to meet the needs of his local community are a few things Rawson loves most about working in the independent channel. “It is also much easier to adapt my operations and stock what my customers need in an independent operation,” he says.

Prepared for Professionalism

Rawson’s military experience was invaluable in preparing him for his professional role today. The discipline, professionalism, desire to serve and ability to interact with a variety of customers set military veterans apart from others working in the independent home improvement channel, Rawson says. “Leading people is the same in uniform or out,” he says. “The skills and techniques the military taught me—like planning, problem analysis, problem solving and the ability to make decisions, reevaluate and adjust as required—work well in this channel.”

2026 Helmets to Home Improvement | NHPA

JOE SWORTZ U.S. Navy

oe Swortz, a U.S. Army veteran and a financial controller in the independent channel, attributes his current leadership and teamwork skills to his time in the military. Motivated by the desire to go to college without financially impacting his parents, Swortz joined the military at age 17, the summer before his senior year of high school. “I am one of four boys, and my parents, a policeman and Sunday school teacher, were figuring out how to pay for my older brother’s college tuition,” says Swortz. “I wanted to go to college and figured the way to pay for school without being a burden was to join the service.”

NHPA | 2025 Helmets to Home Improvement

“Even though my time in the military was brief and started over 40 years ago, I still believe the core Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, service, honor, integrity and courage guide me today.” —Joe Swortz Swortz enlisted in the U.S. Army, leaving for basic training two weeks after his graduation. Serving from 1984 to 1989, Swortz credits his years in service for shaping him as the leader and team player he is today. “Even though my time in the military was brief and started over 40 years ago, I still believe the core Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, service, honor, integrity and courage guide me today,” he says. After his military service, Swortz was looking for an escape from a 70-mile commute to his previous job and turned to his hometown third-generation family-owned hardware store for a career opportunity, beginning his journey in independent home improvement retailing. During his time in college, Swortz worked in various home improvement centers in the paint, hardware, flooring, lumber and glazing departments, which helped him relate to the high level of customer service and expertise needed to succeed in the independent channel.

Moving Forward

Swortz remembers his years in military service with gratitude, crediting the assistance he has received from VA programs in his civilian life.

“Those years of service gave me a college education courtesy of the VEAP and the ability to buy homes with VA home loans when other options weren’t available,” he says. As a disabled veteran, Swortz says he also receives health and disability benefits through the VA, although he struggled with his disability status for many years. “I was in denial about my disability for many years, even ashamed of my injury because it wasn’t visible,” he says. “But 14 years ago, through the support of fellow veterans of the Vietnam conflict and the Gulf War, I was able to accept the care I needed and am forever grateful for their support.” Swortz believes military veterans support the home improvement retail industry in many ways, and in turn, the industry does a good job of supporting veterans. “Some veterans are prepared for the challenges that come after their service, while others need to seek support to deal with the military afterlife,” Swortz says. “Most retailers give the space and time needed to get veterans the support and assistance they need to become part of the community they work and live in.”

2026 Helmets to Home Improvement | NHPA

LOGAN McENIRY U.S. Marine Corps. Oceanside Ace Hardware

NHPA | 2026 Helmets to Home Improvement

ogan McEniry can’t stay away—he has spent his whole life as a part of the home improvement channel. His first job was working in the industry when he was 16 years old, and he even continued working in the industry while serving his country as part of the U.S. Marine Corps. McEniry joined the Marine Corps in 2022 and has been serving since as a logistics officer, the strategic planner that is responsible for equipping, sustaining and moving the Marines. He says he joined the Marine Corps because he wanted to do something to support his country. “I wanted to be a part of something bigger,” McEniry says. McEniry says his favorite part about serving is the opportunity to meet new people and create new friends along the way. Along with serving in the Marines, McEniry is also currently the owner of Oceanside Ace Hardware in Southern California. He likes having the ability to be able to change the product the store has in stock, which allows him to better provide for the community. McEniry says the military taught him hard work. He also learned people management skills that he uses at his job as owner of the store. He believes this industry is good for veterans because the skills they learn in the military are easily transferable to home improvement. “At the end of the day, most people joined the military to help people, and that is exactly what they get to do in hardware,” McEniry says. “The military also gives lots of challenges that may not have an easy answer, and that is the same way with customer projects in this line of work.”

“At the end of the day, most people joined the military to help people, and that is exactly what they get to do in hardware. The military also gives lots of challenges that may not have an easy answer, and that is the same way with customer projects in this line of work.” —Logan McEniry, Oceanside Ace Hardware

2026 Helmets to Home Improvement | NHPA

SAM MACKEY U.S. Navy | Outsider

or 20 years, Sam Mackey served in the U.S. military, working his way through the ranks in the U.S. Navy to become a Navy SEAL. Inspired to join after watching the movie “Navy SEALs,” Mackey enlisted in January 2004 and graduated BUD/S Class 266 in Coronado, California. “I came up through every enlisted billet in a platoon—lead petty officer to platoon chief and then qualified at the Naval Special Warfare Sniper Course along the way,” Mackey says. “I closed out my career as an instructor at our Advanced Training Command.” While in the Navy, he completed eight combat deployments in the Middle East and South America and deployed with every East Coast SEAL Team. Mackey is grateful for his experiences on the SEAL team and for the teammates he met along the way.

NHPA | 2026 Helmets to Home Improvement

“Veterans show up, they tell you the truth and take care of their people. That’s what independent retail rewards. The big-box world runs on volume and algorithms; the independent channel runs on handshakes and follow-through—and that’s the language every veteran already speaks.” —Sam Mackey, Outsider After retiring in 2024, Mackey co-founded Outsider, a premium American drinkware company. Outsider entered the independent channel when Do it Best provided the company with one of their first opportunities to sell products in stores. “They believed in us early, picked us up across nine distribution centers and the reorders started running,” Mackey says. “That opened the door to the rest of the independent world.” Mackey says SEAL teams run on trust, relationships and reliability, similar to how the independent channel operates, making the channel a good fit for veterans. “Veterans show up, they tell you the truth and take care of their people. That’s what independent retail rewards,” Mackey says. “The big-box world runs on volume and algorithms; the independent channel runs on handshakes and follow-through— and that’s the language every veteran already speaks.” Mackey says the people are the best part of running Outsider. “These are family-run stores, multi-generational businesses—owners who actually pick up the phone. You shake a hand and it means something,” Mackey says. “That’s a community, not a transaction.”

2026 Helmets to Home Improvement | NHPA

DANIEL KELIIKOA U.S. Army National Guard Hardware Hawaii

NHPA | 2026 Helmets to Home Improvement

ometimes, not knowing where you are going can actually lead you down the right path. Ikaika “Daniel” Keliikoa was unsure what path he wanted to pursue after graduating high school, but felt a pull to join the military. He felt called to do something for his country and decided military service was one way to answer that calling. Keliikoa enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2000. While serving, his primary job was artillery with a secondary job in infantry. Keliikoa enjoyed the camaraderie he experienced with fellow service members, the opportunity to travel the world and the job itself. “I got to travel around the world while serving,” he says. “And I love the job.” After COVID-19, Keliikoa began to look for a job, ultimately given an opportunity to work for Hardware Hawaii, stepping foot into the independent home improvement channel. Today, Keliikoa works as a lumber supervisor at the company. “I supervise all the guys in the lumberyard and help customers, alongside with giving some advice about materials,” Keliikoa says. As a leader at Hardware Hawaii, Keliikoa says it’s important to him that he leads with integrity and excellence. He says the military helped enable him to be someone his team could rely on. “Leadership is a big role I have working here,” he says. “The military helped me to be a better leader.” Keliikoa believes the loyal and hardworking nature of veterans equips them well for the home improvement channel. “Military guys are loyal and respectful,” he says. “They come from hard-working backgrounds, and they know how it feels starting from the bottom and working your way up the ranks.”

“Military guys are loyal and respectful. They come from hard-working backgrounds, and they know how it feels starting from the bottom and working your way up the ranks.” —Daniel Keliikoa, Hardware Hawaii

2026 Helmets to Home Improvement | NHPA