Who We Are
About The Founders Group
Committed to supporting HVAC professionals with top-quality products, expertise, and service
Johnstone NW/NB and Johnstone SLC are now part of The Founders Group. As a franchise group, we’ve outgrown these previous identities and come together as one unified organization. With 20 locations across 6 states and more than 250 team members, we’re proud to represent our shared commitment to serving the HVAC industry.
Why We Became The Founders Group
The Founders Group name represents our proud legacy of being a 3rd generation family business that began with the founder of Johnstone Supply, John Shank. For decades, John’s son-in-law, Greg Popma, and his wife Penny, ran the business and founded GAP Supply (Greg and Penny Supply). Later, Corky and Matt Popma (John’s grandsons) assumed leadership responsibilities and continue to own the business to this day. Our deep Johnstone heritage is also highlighted by the fact that we own and operate the first three Johnstone stores (Clackamas/Salt Lake City/Tukwila) as well as the sixth store (Eugene), all of which were personally opened by John Shank and Greg Popma.
As we grow and expand our reach, we also look to the past with pride, acknowledging the founder of the company, and how a little appliance shop in Portland (now store #1 in Clackamas) became a $4.5 billion dollar business with over 450 Johnstone Supply stores throughout North America. Acknowledging our status as the first Johnstone and The Founders Group means accepting responsibility for upholding the values and principles set forth from the beginning of the company. We strive to incorporate the values set forth by John Shank in 1953 while we also stay grounded in our current mission and core values.
Our Mission at The Founders Group
Making our communities safe and comfortable
Our Core Values
CUSTOMER FOCUSED
ACCOUNTABLE
ALWAYS LEARNING
SOLUTIONS MINDED
COLLABORATIVE
Our Leadership
Greg ‘Corky’ Popma
Owner
Greg Popma, Jr. (Corky) graduated from the University of Oregon in 1990 and started his career with Johnstone immediately upon graduation. He always knew he wanted to be involved in the family business after being around his dad and grandfather who constantly expressed their passion for Johnstone. Even though he grew up working in the warehouse, he started his professional career at Johnstone as an Inside Sales Representative and then later moved to a Counter Customer Service Associate followed by many years as a Branch Manager. As Greg Sr. scaled back his involvement in the business, Corky rose up through the ranks as a Regional Manager, Purchasing Manager and VP of Operations.
For the last 10 years, Corky has served as CEO/COO with an emphasis on the Operations side of the business while Matt focused on the Sales side. During Corky’s leadership tenure, the company has grown from $25M in 2003 to $154M in 2022 while opening 5 new locations during that time. He has deep industry experience, product knowledge and has been instrumental in helping GAP Supply get into the HVAC Supplies and Equipment business. Corky has also been very influential in adding many product lines to the Johnstone enterprise nationally such as Daikin, Glasfloss, Hardcast, Panasonic, Thermaflex, TRUaire and Southwire.
Matt Popma
Owner
Matt graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1995 and started his career in the Seattle area after college. His first job out of school was as a B2B Outside Salesperson in the telecommunications business where he was tasked with making over 100 cold calls every day either over the phone or in person. He soon learned to thrive in sales but decided to switch industries which led him to ADP, where he worked for 7 years (4 years as a top-performing B2B Outside Salesperson, 3 years as a Regional Sales Manager and Regional Sales Trainer) and developed as a professional salesperson and sales leader.
When he came to Johnstone in 2003, Matt began as the Branch Manager of Tigard but soon gravitated towards his true passion which is Sales and Customer Relations. As we’ve grown, he’s served as Regional Sales Manager, VP of Sales & Marketing and spent the last 10 years as President/CMO. Matt also served over 2 Terms as Board Member for Johnstone Supply (2015-2022), which helped him develop both professionally and personally.
Steve Porter
President
With 25 years at Grainger Industrial Supply, Steve joined Johnstone Supply The Founders Group with extensive experience overseeing major U.S. acquisitions and, in his final role as FVP of Manufacturing Sales, oversaw the largest sales team in the U.S., comprising 1,300 team members and generating $2.3 billion in revenue. He also spent 3.5 years leading a food manufacturing organization, gaining valuable insights from a manufacturing perspective.
He earned a BA in Criminal Law from Western Washington University and has served on the boards of the Chicago Children's Museum and The Sports Shed. Currently, he is a member of the HARDI People & Culture committee and enjoys sharing his leadership and career development expertise through continuing education programs, with an upcoming partnership with Portland State. Steve has been married to his lovely wife for 29 years and has two children.
Mayela Armour
Vice President of People
Mayela Armour is the Vice President of Human Resources, dedicated to leveraging human capital for organizational success. With 16 years of experience across diverse industries, she started her career in finance by supporting an international hedge fund in New York City, and most recently worked in manufacturing, gaining an expertise in organizational development, HRIS implementation, and acquisitions.
Mayela holds a Bachelor of Health Science and has served on the board of directors for Legacy Hospital. As a certified Senior HR Professional, she advocates for people and shapes the organization’s strategy to attract and retain top talent in every industry she serves. In her personal life, Mayela enjoys exploring the outdoors with her husband and three kids, as well as cheering them on at their various sporting events.
Michael Hines
Director of Technology Solutions
Michael Hines is the Director of Technology Solutions, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous role as Director of IT Operations, where he spent 26 years. A purposeful IT leader, Michael has over 20 years of experience managing large-scale operations and driving digital transformation in fast-paced IT environments.
Michael holds a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems Management from the University of Arizona. He is recognized as a mentor and inspirational leader, dedicated to fostering the growth of teams both within and outside the organization. Outside of work, Michael is passionate about leading people and helping them develop their careers. He also enjoys spending time working on the farm.
Bradley Nollmeyer
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Bradley Nollmeyer brings 23 years of leadership experience from Grainger Industrial Supply, where he excelled in sales and operations. Now serving as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Johnstone Supply Founders Group, he specializes in driving sales and operational excellence. Bradley holds a BA in Criminal Justice with minors in Political Science and Sociology from Washington State University and is OSHA 30, HACCP, and QSSP certified.
A Presidents Club honoree for top 1% sales performance, he has risen through roles from warehouse operations to executive leadership. In his free time, Bradley enjoys supporting his three daughters’ activities and spending time outdoors on the water and in the sun.
Ryan Phan
Director of Purchasing
Ryan Vu Phan, Director of Inventory Management and Purchasing, brings 18 years of supply chain experience, having worked with organizations like Adidas, LAM Research, and Johnstone Corp. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Supply and Logistics Management from Portland State University, with a minor in Computer Science, and is a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and Lean Principles certified.
Ryan has managed nearly $1 billion in inventory and specializes in inventory management, supplier negotiations, process optimization, and risk management. He has led teams of 5 to 10 members and implemented strategies that improved operational efficiency and inventory turnover. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys house renovations, outdoor adventures, and spending time with his wife and twin boys.
Steve Samuelson
Director of Branch Services
Steve Samuelson is the Director of Branch Services where he has dedicated 13 years to the organization. He began his career as a delivery driver and warehouse associate, progressively advancing to roles such as CSSA and Branch Manager.
With 20 years of experience in warehouse operations and management, Steve specializes in customer service, leadership, team building, process improvement, inventory management, and problem-solving. In his personal time, Steve enjoys playing guitar, fishing, and camping with his family.
Dawn Schlesselman
Vice President of Finance
Dawn Schlesselman is the Vice President of Finance, leading the Accounting and Finance function since September 2024. With 8.5 years at Nike, she oversaw Finance for North America Full-Price Retail Stores and contributed to strategic initiatives, including retail expansion and labor management, as well as playing a key role in Nike’s ERP system. Dawn also spent six years at EY as an auditor, gaining experience in retail, manufacturing, and technology sectors.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business economics with an emphasis in accounting from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is a Certified Public Accountant. Her expertise includes financial forecasting, cost optimization, and people leadership. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, snowboarding, and attending Orange Theory classes.
Giving Back
Johnstone Supply is proud to support Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing critical financial assistance and resources to military families. Through donations and volunteer efforts, Johnstone helps ensure that veterans, active-duty service members, and their families receive the support they need to thrive. By partnering with Operation Homefront, we contribute to the well-being of those who have served our country, helping them navigate challenges and build a brighter future.