John Kollm is a dynamic and results-driven executive leader with over 23 years of professional experience, including 11 years at the corporate executive level. With a career spanning retail, real estate, operations, store services, and commercial real estate, John has demonstrated a proven ability to drive business growth, optimize operations, and scale organizations from small to large enterprises. His expertise in acquisitions, site selection, pipeline management, construction site management, leadership, and talent development makes him a sought-after leader in the industry.

John currently serves as senior director of real estate & business development at Independent Pet Partners (IPP), where he strategically manages the real estate portfolio across multiple brands and locations. His responsibilities include site selection, lease negotiations, new store openings, acquisitions, and sale-leaseback transactions. Under his leadership, IPP streamlined market analysis, project management, and lease administration, leading to improved efficiency and cost savings. In 2022, he successfully opened a new corporate headquarters to consolidate operations and support hybrid work environments, further strengthening IPP’s infrastructure.

Prior to his tenure at IPP, John served as head of real estate and store construction at Rally House, where he played a critical role in executing an aggressive expansion strategy, opening 50+ stores per year. He implemented comprehensive project management processes, recruited and expanded the real estate team, and improved store maintenance and construction operations to enhance overall performance.

John’s leadership experience also includes Batteries Plus Bulbs, where he was director of store development and services. In this role, he led franchise and corporate store expansion efforts, executing real estate strategies that significantly reduced project turnaround times by 30% and cut costs by 5%. Additionally, he launched the company’s first-ever customer experience (CX) program, partnering with Medallia to develop a data-driven approach to customer service enhancement. His efforts led to industry-leading net promoter scores (NPS) and improved brand loyalty.

Earlier in his career, John spent over 11 years at Dick’s Sporting Goods, where he led store operations and retail expansion strategies for the golf business division and Golf Galaxy stores. He successfully integrated the Golfsmith acquisition, growing the golf specialty division by 50%. His operational leadership drove 100% profit growth over a three-year period and resulted in the strongest comp performance in five years. He also spearheaded contract renegotiations that generated $5 million in additional profits and significantly improved service program performance.

Beyond his corporate roles, John is deeply committed to community engagement and urban planning. He serves as a planning commission member for the city of Woodbury, Minnesota, where he supports managed growth and development initiatives. His real estate and business acumen bring valuable insights to city planning efforts, reinforcing his dedication to fostering sustainable development.

John is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), where he remains actively involved in industry trends and best practices. His personal philosophy—”The better we do, the more good we can do”—guides his approach to leadership, business development, and community service.

An avid reader who enjoys staying well-informed on a variety of topics, John also finds fulfillment in golfing and volunteering. He is currently exploring board opportunities where he can leverage his deep expertise in retail, real estate, and operational strategy. With a proven track record of driving business expansion, optimizing operations, and enhancing customer experiences, John would be a valuable addition to any organization seeking strategic growth and executive leadership.

Character: John Kollm is a principled and results-oriented leader who values collaboration, integrity, and driving meaningful growth in both business and community development.

Knowledge: With over 23 years of experience in retail, real estate, and operations, John possesses deep expertise in acquisitions, site selection, pipeline management, and business scalability.

Strategic: He has a proven ability to develop and implement growth strategies, optimize operational efficiencies, and successfully lead large-scale expansions and acquisitions.

Communication: John excels at cross-functional collaboration, internal leadership engagement, and stakeholder negotiations, ensuring alignment and success across business initiatives.