Core-Mark Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Core-Mark has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, technology, financial oversight, and regional operations.

Focused on delivering fresh and broad-line supply solutions to the convenience retail industry, Core-Mark maintains a commitment to operational excellence across North America. This leadership team drives market expansion and supply chain efficiency to support 43,000 customer locations.

Leadership Roles at Core-Mark

  • Chief Executive Officer - Christopher Hobson
  • Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer - Leo Korman
  • Division President - Mike Palelek
  • OpCo President - Jason Nevin
  • President - Southern England - Thomas Crytser
  • President, Operating Company - Joseph Kaniyamkandathil
  • President, Opco (Fort Worth, Houston) - Brad Flint
  • Division President - Darrell Hall
  • OpCo President - Thomas Oktavec
  • Chief Technology Officer - Robin Ynes
  • Christopher Hobson - Chief Executive Officer

    Christopher Hobson, the Chief Executive Officer at Core-Mark, directs the overarching strategic vision for the entire distribution network. Overseeing the integration of fresh and broad-line supply solutions, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between corporate goals and the needs of 43,000 convenience retail locations. This leadership role involves managing complex relationships with national and super-regional store operators across the United States and Canada. By prioritizing supply chain agility and product diversification, Christopher Hobson directly impacts the company's market position within the competitive convenience retail sector. Ultimately, Hobson secures long-term growth by fostering innovation in food and non-food distribution channels, ensuring that the organization remains the preferred partner for diverse retail outlets ranging from traditional convenience stores to specialized alternative venues.
    Christopher Hobson

    Leo Korman - Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    Leo Korman, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Core-Mark, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies of the organization. Overseeing financial planning, reporting, and risk management, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ensures the company maintains the liquidity necessary to support extensive distribution operations. This leadership role involves collaborating with the Board to evaluate investment opportunities in supply chain infrastructure and market expansion. By maintaining rigorous financial controls, Leo Korman directly impacts the long-term stability and profitability of the business. Ultimately, Korman provides the economic framework that allows the company to scale its fresh and broad-line supply solutions effectively, ensuring that financial resources align with the strategic objectives of serving diverse convenience retail outlets across the United States and Canada.

    Mike Palelek - Division President

    Mike Palelek, the Division President at Core-Mark, directs the operational performance and customer service standards for a specific geographic segment of the distribution network. Overseeing the daily logistics of food and non-food product delivery, the Division President ensures that local convenience stores and alternative outlets receive consistent supply chain support. This leadership role involves managing regional distribution centers to maximize efficiency and minimize delivery times for thousands of customer locations. By fostering strong relationships with independent store owners, Mike Palelek directly impacts regional market share and customer retention. Ultimately, Palelek executes the company's mission by maintaining high service levels and operational excellence, ensuring that the specific division contributes effectively to the broader organizational goal of providing comprehensive supply solutions to the convenience retail industry.

    Jason Nevin - OpCo President

    Jason Nevin, the OpCo President at Core-Mark, manages the localized execution of supply chain strategies within a designated operating company. Overseeing the distribution of candies, snacks, and tobacco products, the OpCo President ensures that regional inventory levels meet the specific demands of local convenience retailers. This leadership role involves coordinating with warehouse teams to maintain high standards of product freshness and availability. By optimizing local delivery routes and warehouse throughput, Jason Nevin directly impacts the operational success of the assigned territory. Ultimately, Nevin drives regional growth by tailoring service offerings to the unique needs of local customers, ensuring that the operating company remains a vital link in the broader supply chain network that serves thousands of retail locations across the continent.

    Thomas Crytser - President - Southern England

    Thomas Crytser, the President - Southern England at Core-Mark, oversees the specialized distribution initiatives within the designated international market segment. Managing the unique regulatory and logistical requirements of the region, the President - Southern England ensures that the company's supply solutions meet the specific needs of local convenience and specialty outlets. This leadership role involves adapting the core business model to fit the nuances of the regional retail landscape while maintaining the high standards of the parent organization. By driving operational efficiency in this specific market, Thomas Crytser directly impacts the company's international footprint and service reliability. Ultimately, Crytser secures regional market presence by aligning local distribution strategies with the overarching mission of providing high-quality food and non-food products to diverse retail customers.

    Joseph Kaniyamkandathil - President, Operating Company

    Joseph Kaniyamkandathil, the President, Operating Company at Core-Mark, leads the strategic operations of a key business unit focused on high-volume distribution. Overseeing the management of fresh products, dairy, and beverages, the President, Operating Company ensures that the supply chain remains responsive to the rapid turnover requirements of convenience retail. This leadership role involves implementing process improvements to enhance warehouse productivity and order accuracy. By focusing on the operational excellence of the assigned unit, Joseph Kaniyamkandathil directly impacts the company's ability to serve national and super-regional convenience store operators. Ultimately, Kaniyamkandathil drives performance by optimizing the flow of goods from distribution centers to retail shelves, ensuring that the operating company consistently delivers value through reliable and efficient supply chain management.

    Brad Flint - President, Opco (Fort Worth, Houston)

    Brad Flint, the President, Opco (Fort Worth, Houston) at Core-Mark, directs the distribution operations across these critical metropolitan markets. Overseeing the supply of groceries, health and beauty care products, and general merchandise, the President, Opco (Fort Worth, Houston) ensures that local retail outlets maintain optimal stock levels. This leadership role involves managing the complex logistics of serving both traditional convenience stores and alternative outlets in high-density areas. By streamlining regional distribution workflows, Brad Flint directly impacts the company's service reliability in these key markets. Ultimately, Flint drives regional growth by ensuring that the supply chain remains agile and capable of meeting the diverse needs of customers, reinforcing the company's reputation as a premier provider of convenience retail solutions.
    Brad Flint

    Darrell Hall - Division President

    Darrell Hall, the Division President at Core-Mark, manages the strategic direction and operational output of a major regional division. Overseeing the distribution of a wide array of products, including cigarettes and other tobacco items, the Division President ensures compliance with regional regulations while maintaining high service standards. This leadership role involves coordinating with sales and logistics teams to expand the customer base among independent convenience stores and specialty shops. By focusing on market penetration and operational efficiency, Darrell Hall directly impacts the division's contribution to the company's overall revenue. Ultimately, Hall drives success by fostering a culture of accountability and service excellence, ensuring that the division effectively supports the company's mission of providing comprehensive supply solutions to the retail industry.

    Thomas Oktavec - OpCo President

    Thomas Oktavec, the OpCo President at Core-Mark, leads the operational activities of a dedicated business unit focused on equipment and general merchandise distribution. Overseeing the procurement and delivery of essential retail supplies, the OpCo President ensures that customers have access to the tools necessary for successful store operations. This leadership role involves managing inventory turnover and supply chain logistics to support the diverse needs of convenience and specialty stores. By optimizing the distribution of non-food items, Thomas Oktavec directly impacts the company's ability to provide a complete, one-stop supply solution. Ultimately, Oktavec drives operational efficiency by refining the logistics of the assigned unit, ensuring that the company remains a vital partner for retailers seeking reliable and comprehensive product support.

    Robin Ynes - Chief Technology Officer

    Robin Ynes, the Chief Technology Officer at Core-Mark, architects the digital infrastructure required to support large-scale supply chain operations. Managing the technological backbone of the distribution network, the Chief Technology Officer implements advanced data analytics to optimize inventory management for food, tobacco, and general merchandise. This leadership role involves modernizing the platforms that connect 43,000 customer locations with efficient logistics systems. By streamlining digital procurement processes, Robin Ynes directly impacts the operational efficiency of the entire enterprise. Ultimately, Ynes drives the adoption of emerging technologies to enhance service delivery, ensuring that the company maintains a competitive edge in the fast-paced convenience retail market through robust, scalable, and secure digital solutions that support complex distribution requirements across North America.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Core-Mark Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Core-Mark?
    Core-Mark is led by Christopher Hobson (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Leo Korman (Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer) and Mike Palelek (Division President).
    Who is part of Core-Mark’s executive team?
    The executive team of Core-Mark includes leaders such as Christopher Hobson (Chief Executive Officer), Leo Korman (Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer), Mike Palelek (Division President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Core-Mark have?
    Core-Mark has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Core-Mark’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Core-Mark includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Division President, OpCo President, President - Southern England.