About Us

Our People

Get to know the people behind our stores. Our staff and Corporate Leadership Team are dedicated to supporting you. We are industry experts – armed with superior product knowledge and offering premier customer service – to ensure that you get exactly the supplies you need.

Steve Bowden, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Steve came to the Stores Division Chicago headquarters from International Paper in Augusta, Georgia, where he had served as Mill Manager since 2004. Steve started his career in 1987 as a process engineer at the Moss Point Mill. He held various manufacturing and technical assignments at Moss Point including Manager of Finished Products and Manager of Technical Services. In 1999 Steve relocated to Memphis as Product Development Manager for Bleached Board, and by 2000 he assumed the duties of North American Business Manager for that division. An Auburn graduate with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Steve enjoys cycling, scuba diving and spending time with his wife and their three daughters.
Steve Bowden, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Bob Smusz, Vice President, Operations
Bob came to Arvey Paper & Office Products from Federated Department Stores, where he was an Operations Manager. He then was hired as a Regional Manager for Arvey in 1991 and was promoted to Vice President of Operations for Arvey in 1994. In 1995 he became Arvey’s VP and General Manager and was promoted to Vice President of Retail Store Operations for the newly created ResourceNet International Stores Division. In 1999, he became the Vice President of Operations for the xpedx Stores Division. Bob enjoys golf, music and spending time with his grandchildren.
Bob Smusz, Vice President, Operations
Gerard Vail, Vice President, Marketing & Merchandising
Gerard brings over 25 years of paper and printing experience to the xpedx Stores Division.  Having grown up as a printer in his family’s trade shop, Gerard began running presses at an early age, learning typesetting, pre-press and bindery.  After college, he worked for Regency and divisions of Taylor Corp., one of the country’s largest printers, eventually advancing to sales manager.  Gerard then took a position as National Sales Manager for a large paper merchant, advancing to Vice President of Sales.  Gerard brings the xpedx stores great industry relationships, a vast knowledge of digital printing and product information.  Gerard’s strategic marketing efforts are driven from a steadfast belief in customer focused initiatives.  In his spare time Gerard enjoys spending time with his two son’s Brett and AJ.
Gerard Vail, Vice President, Marketing & Merchandising
Ed Goralski, Vice President, Finance
Ed joined the xpedx Stores Division in 2004 with over 17 years of experience in accounting and finance roles. Before joining xpedx Stores, he was the Controller at Archibald Candy Corporation (Fannie May Candies) in Chicago for 5 years. Prior to that, Ed held positions as Director of Accounting with Montgomery Ward, Sr. Manager of Financial Reporting with BT Office Products, and Audit Manager with Ernst & Young. Ed has a B.S. degree in Accounting from Bradley University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Ed Goralski, Vice President, Finance
Tim Broderick, Director, Sales
Tim joined the xpedx stores division in 2007 after a 22 year career with Appleton Papers.  While there, he held various sales and marketing positions in the carbonless business unit including Field Sales Rep, Product Manager, Marketing Manager and National Account Manager.  In his role as National Account Manager, he had responsibility for the xpedx carbonless business and forged strong relationships within during that time.  When a Regional Sales Manager position became available at the store division, he jumped at the chance and now serves as Director of Sales for the division.  He holds a degree from UW Eau Claire and a Masters Degree from UW Oshkosh.  Tim is a "gym rat" and enjoys working out, jet skiing and spending time with his 3 kids and wife.
Tim Broderick, Director, Sales
Chris Hurr, Director, Store Operations
Chris came to Arvey Paper & Office Products in 1992 after graduating with a B.A. from The Ohio State University in political science.  He began his career as a management trainee in our Cincinnati store and has held multiple positions within xpedx including store manager, senior business analyst, International Paper corporate auditor and most recently the District and Regional Director for the xpedx Stores Division's Tri State Region.  Chris is a huge Ohio State football fan who also enjoys reading, music and spending time with his wife, Teryl, and their 3 kids.
Chris Hurr, Director, Store Operations
Jolinda Young, Director, Human Resources
A native of Kansas City, Jolinda started her career with xpedx in 1999 as a Group Human Resources Manager. Since 2001, Jolinda served as Regional Human Resources Manager for the South Central Region, and recently joined the Stores Division in November 2008.  Jolinda also shares her time servicing the Saalfeld Redistribution organization as Manager Human Resources. Prior to xpedx, Jolinda worked for Alfa-Laval Agri (owned by Tetra Pak) as Director of Human Resources for 13 years. She has an undergraduate degree in Management and Human Relations from MidAmerica Nazarene College, and will complete her MBA from Walden University in August 2009.
Jolinda Young, Director, Human Resources