Darin Workman

CEO

Workman became the President and Partner of The Helpful Hardware Company in August 2014 after working for the Ace Hardware Corporation for 17 years serving in Operations, Project Management, IT, and Business Development. He is a 12-year veteran of the US Navy where he held many leadership positions. Workman has degrees in workforce training, education, and development from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in addition to a degree in technical management from the University of Phoenix and a degree in executive finance from Lake Forest University. He is also a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM).

Patrick Richey

Director of Retail Operations

Bio coming soon

Perry Garrett

New Business Manager

Garrett joined the Helpful Hardware team in August 2017 and served as the District Manager overseeing the Tennessee stores up until he was promoted to New Business Manager.  Prior to that, beginning in 1973, he worked with multiple Ace Hardware retail organizations in a variety of roles.  He is married to his wife Betty of 37 years.

Joe Edmondson

District Manager - Tennessee

Before joining the Helpful Hardware team in March of 2019, Edmondson, born and raised in Mt Juliet, TN, has worked in various customer service, application/platform support, and management roles for a global advisory, broking, and solutions firm headquartered in Nashville, TN. While growing up, Edmondson helped family and neighbors with home repairs, additions, remodels, and new home construction. ACE was his “go-to” store for everything he needed to get the job done. Edmondson and his wife of 9 years, Tracie, have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. They enjoy riding on their motorcycle and remodeling and updating their home.

Tim Upton

District Manager - North Carolina & South Carolina

Upton, born and raised in New Jersey, joined the Helpful Hardware team in June of 2021. With a BS in Marketing from Florida State University, Upton has served as a Department Manager at Lowe's Home Improvement and a District Manager for both Panera Bread and Great Clips. While working at Lowe’s, he gained experience in all departments. Upton and his wife, Jennifer, a graduate of the University of South Carolina, are foster parents together.

Frank Cuda

District Manager - West Georgia

Cuda, born in Pittsburgh, PA, entered the world of retailing in Cincinnati, OH. Cold weather and opportunity provided the reason to migrate south of the Mason-Dixon line to Atlanta, GA as a buyer with Rich’s Department store and then into branch store development, retiring from Macy’s as a Divisional VP. It was back to retailing when the call came to re-locate to Carrollton, GA, taking on the challenge of re-directing the growth and development of the Southern Home & Garden Ace Hardware as General Manager. 10 years later, Cuda joined the Helpful Hardware Co. in November of 2021 and after several months of transition, he became a District Manager in February of 2022.

Gina Workman (SHRM)

Employee Relations Manager

SHRM-CP certified in Human Resources Management, Workman manages all employee training and development, benefits administration, and oversight of outsourced HR functions. In addition to her employee responsibilities, she leads the company OSHA program. Workman served in the US Navy for 8 years in multiple leadership roles including Company Commander, Mid-Level Manager, and Oversight of Command Preventative Maintenance. She has an AA in Business from Excelsior College and is the former owner of Loving Hands Daycare. She is a mother to 4 children.

Jan King

Sr. Controller

King joined The Helpful Hardware Company in 2016 and serves as our Sr. Controller. As a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in accounting, King received her CPA in 1997. She has worked in business management and non-profit management and owned her own business for several years prior to joining our team. A proud mother of two successful young adults, King is an active member of her community and church.

Robin McAllister

AR Manager

Born and raised in Forsyth County, McAllister has served as the AR Manager for The Helpful Hardware Company since August 2014 after working at Ace Hardware Woodmont for 3 years as the HR Manager and Administrative Assistant. She achieved an associate degree in business from Lanier Technical College. McAllister has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 34 years and they have 2 children together.

Donna Clark

AP Manager

Born and raised in Hawaii, Clark has worked for The Helpful Hardware Company since August of 2014, beginning at Ace Hardware Woodmont as the Controller and Assistant Manager for 6 years. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a bachelor's degree in business association and accounting. Clark has been married to her husband, Alvin, for 45 years with whom she raised her 2 children.

Renee Adams

Executive Administrator

Born and raised in Toccoa, GA, Adams graduated with an MBA through Western Governors University in 2020. She joined The Helpful Hardware Company team in April of 2022, bringing a wide range of professional experience including automotive sales management, property management, and accounting. In her free time, Adams enjoys spending time with her husband and son, working out in their front yard and in her garden, quilting, and yelling “Go Dawgs!” during football season!

Hanna Wingo

Business Development Systems Project Manager

Being from Matthews, NC, Wingo has been involved in the hardware retail industry since she was 5 years old! Growing up, she spent most of her afternoons at her family’s hardware store after school and worked at the store throughout high school.  After graduating from Western Carolina University with a degree in Computer Information Systems, Wingo landed a job, but she didn’t feel like it was right for her at the time.  She went back to work alongside her mom at Indian Trail Hardware, as her dad had just retired.  In May 2021, The Helpful Hardware Company acquired her family’s hardware store and converted it into an Ace; that’s when she met Darin and was given the opportunity to join the team in October 2021! Wingo has a lab mix fur baby named Tilley.  In her spare time, she enjoys anything outdoors including camping, hiking, and snowboarding. She’s always on the lookout for a good craft beer, especially sours.