Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. – Henry Ford
Headquartered in beautiful Colorado, the PRO Group staff is dedicated to helping the independent succeed in a time where the industry landscape is constantly evolving. Our team includes experts in the fields of information technology, purchasing, marketing, meeting and events, all working together to bring solutions and new ideas to our membership.
President/CEO
Steve Synnott
Vice President & COO
Shari Kalbach
CFO
Heidi Wodark
Director of Events
Michele Simes
Accounting Manager
Gary Campbell
Merchandise Manager
Jeff Styerwalt
Merchandise Manager
Trent Kauffman
Merchandise Manager
Alex Hernandez
Advertising and Communications Manager
Katie Westervelt
Marketing Manager
Drew Eflin
Marketing & Merchandising Coordinator
Shannon Harpham
Senior Designer
Beth Wells
A/P, Invoicing
Heather Carroll
Accounting Specialist
Renee Koby
Chief Information Officer
Chris Largent
Software Engineer
Andre Lalumiere
President/CEO
Steve Synnott
Steve Synnott started with PRO Group as the Managing Director of Garden Master, Proven Marketing Group and UADA in 1993. In 2008, Steve transitioned to the role of the company’s President and CEO and purchased the company in 2012. Steve has been the key contributor to PRO’s success by adapting to the changing needs of the independent hardware retailer and has put the company in a position to thrive by seeking out new opportunities to help the company grow. While Steve is not at the helm at PRO, he loves watching Alabama football, going boating, hiking, and skiing in the Colorado winter.
Shari Kalbach, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, has been with PRO Group since 1997 and has played a pivotal role in helping the company evolve over the past two decades. Shari strives to realize PRO Group’s mission to build programs and create solutions that help the group’s distributor members and their retail customers be successful. Shari directs PRO Group operations and says it is a privilege for her to lead an incredible team of individuals who are all dedicated to this same mission. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Shari spends her free time hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowshoeing in Colorado, but also loves to travel and explore the jungles of Costa Rica and snorkel in the Caribbean.
Heidi Wodark oversees the accounting department as the Chief Financial Officer at PRO Group. Heidi has been with PRO for 14 years and loves the people she gets to work with every day. In her spare time, Heidi is an avid skier and mountain biker and logs countless miles in each sport every year. When she is not skiing or biking, Heidi enjoys spending time with her son Zane and her daughter Zia.
Michele Simes came to PRO Group in 1996 with a background in hotel sales and operations. As the Events Director, her natural ability in conference planning from site selection to contract negotiation and conference execution have made PRO Group conferences some of the most successful in the industry. Throughout her time at PRO, Michele has enjoyed the family atmosphere that has led to the formation of many great memories and friendships. When Michele is not in the office, she is usually enjoying time with her husband Woody and family, or enjoying a walk with her English Springer Spaniel, Meadow.
With over 40 years’ experience in the accounting field, Gary Campbell manages Central Pay processing, brokerage commission, payroll and general accounting at PRO Group. He enjoys the culture and comradery in the office and an atmosphere that encourages new ideas. In his spare time, Gary is a hobby farmer who enjoys working with animals and discovering new things on the Discovery, Explorer and History channels.
Jeff Styerwalt joined the PRO team in 2015 with a background in both manufacturing and distribution. Jeff’s outgoing and positive attitude is well known at PRO, and any day he is out of the office can feel a little empty. Jeff enjoys working with the team at PRO and manages relationships within the hand and power tool, abrasives, plumbing and building materials categories. When he’s not at the office, Jeff enjoys swimming, hiking, live concerts and sporting events, and cool summer mornings in the Rockies.
With an extensive background as a buyer within the industry, Trent Kauffman was a natural fit as a Merchandise Manager in the lawn and garden, electrical, outdoor recreation, and non-traditional categories. Trent loves the opportunity to work with a fantastic group of independent distributors and to encourage business between PRO Group manufacturers and distributor members. Trent is an avid mountain biker, and enjoys hiking, camping and working on home improvement projects.
Coming straight to PRO out of college, Alex Hernandez has worked in numerous positions within the company. As a current Merchandise Manager in the automotive, farm and ag, housewares, paint and pet categories, Alex enjoys the open culture and working with great retailer, distributor and manufacturer partners at PRO. Outside of the office, Alex is currently earning his MBA at CU Denver and enjoys everything Colorado has to offer including skiing, snowshoeing, biking, camping and gardening.
Colorado native Katie Westervelt, Advertising Manager at PRO Group, oversees print advertising for the PRO Hardware, Farm Mart, and Garden Master divisions, and is heavily involved in all marketing and communications projects at PRO Group. In her day to day, Katie enjoys the family atmosphere at PRO and forging relationships with a wide range of members and partners. Katie is an avid fan of playing and watching soccer and enjoys taking her puppy Charlie on adventures.
Drew Eflin started with PRO in 2016 and transitioned into the Marketing Manager role in 2018. Drew heads all digital marketing efforts for PRO Hardware, Farm Mart, and Garden Master retailers including mobile marketing, email marketing, and social media. With a background in video, Drew also enjoys making promotional photo and video content for PRO Group. Drew is an avid climber in his spare time and hopes to one day climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
As the newest addition to PRO, Shannon Harpham has quickly established herself as a valuable addition to the team with a background in marketing and graphic design. Shannon works with both the merchandising and marketing teams and enjoys the team environment that comes with working at PRO. Outside of the office, Shannon enjoys going on hikes and adventures with her pup Bruin, exploring new restaurants and going to sporting events.
With an extensive background in designing marketing materials, Beth Wells has worked as the Graphic Designer at PRO for several years. Working with each department to design creative materials, Beth enjoys the small size of the company and that the team works well together. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, being in the great outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
Heather Carroll has been with PRO Group since 2008 and handles brokerage commission and AR collections in the accounting department. Heather also acts as the Events Specialist at the annual Executive Planning Conference and provides support for multiple departments. Heather is an excellent baker who also enjoys hiking, traveling with her family and relaxing with a good book.
Coming to PRO with an extensive background in accounting, Renee Koby was a valuable addition to the team in 2017. At PRO, Renee handles everything from AR to invoicing and brokerage commission collections. Renee loves the people at PRO and enjoys spending time with the team outside of the day to day routine. Outside of the office, Renee loves paddle boarding, hiking, running, and rivals Heather as the best baker at PRO.
Chris Largent came back to PRO as the Chief Information Officer in 2017. With abundant IT experience, Chris ensures PRO’s technology platforms run smoothly and helps troubleshoot any unexpected problems. He enjoys the mission and people he works with on a day to day basis. In his spare time, he enjoys playing ice hockey, spending time with his pups and all types of hobby computing.
Andre Lalumiere joined PRO as a Software Engineer and works to maintain and create new software applications. He enjoys the support and collaboration among the PRO team to complete projects and works with each department to support their initiatives. Andre is an avid snowboarder and also enjoys mountain biking and golf in his free time.
