About

Built by two people who decided not to look for another employer.

Like so many of the business owners we help, we formed Ollie & Associates out of a desire to control our own destiny, share what we're best at, and help other people do their work.

Consultants reviewing documents with a business owner at a wooden table

Our story

Founded in Roanoke in 2024, on our own terms.

Company founders Lynn Manning (then Lynn Rogers) and Mark Manning had each spent years sharpening their skills, and each had reached the point of needing to find a new employer, whether for better compensation or a better alignment of values.

Neither wanted to go through that process again. As people who are passionate about serving others, they wanted to work alongside business owners who are passionate about what they do, and to do it as partners rather than employees.

Our mission is to empower all businesses, regardless of their size, with expert consulting in Human Resources, Business Operations, and Supply Chain Management, fostering growth, efficiency, success, and long-term client relationships.

2024Founded in Roanoke, VA

50+Years combined experience

2Chambers of Commerce

1Golden Retriever in charge

Leadership

The people you'll actually work with.

Mark B. Manning

Chief Executive Officer, Managing Partner & Co-Founder

Mark has 25+ years of experience in business operations, procurement, vendor management, and inventory optimization. He has held key roles at Advance Auto Parts, Pep Boys, and TMEIC, including twelve years as a senior buyer running multi-site implementations and supplier negotiations.

His specialties include:

Strategic planning and execution
Operational efficiency
Supply chain management
Vendor relations
Client growth and success
Executive coaching

Mark lives in Roanoke with his family and pets, including Ollie. He is a 2026 Roanoke Regional Chamber Ambassador and received the Chamber's 2025 IMPACT Campaign Breakout Star Award. Off the clock: sailing, guitar, axe throwing, and G.I. Joe.

Lynn Manning, SHRM-CP

Partner & Co-Founder

Lynn is a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional with 25+ years of experience in HR. She works with small and medium-sized businesses on interviewing, recruiting, employee onboarding, conflict resolution, and team collaboration.

Lynn also specializes in bringing clients' HR programs into compliance with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, and has served clients in fractional Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer roles.

HR compliance
Recruiting and onboarding
Conflict resolution
Nonprofit leadership

Lynn is pursuing her Master's in Human Resources at Western Governors University. In her free time she volunteers, travels, builds Legos, and spends time with her family, dogs, and cats.

The namesake

Our company is named after Ollie, our Golden Retriever.

He embodies the intelligence, loyalty, and strong work ethic we bring to our clients. Like Ollie, we're loyal, protective, and always there when you need us most. He holds the title of Chief Morale Officer, and nobody has contested it.

Ollie the Golden Retriever, smiling at the camera

Community involvement

Roanoke is home, not just a market.

Lynn spent years in nonprofit work and hasn't left that spirit of service behind, so Ollie & Associates makes community involvement a key pillar of how we operate.

We are active members of the Roanoke Regional and Salem-Roanoke County Chambers of Commerce, serve as Roanoke Chamber Ambassadors, and sit on the volunteer board of the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center.

Downtown Roanoke, Virginia with historic brick buildings and the Mill Mountain Star on the ridge

Organizations we volunteer with

Southwest Virginia Wildlife CenterVisit
Ronald McDonald House Charities of SWVAVisit
Roanoke Regional Chamber of CommerceVisit
Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of CommerceVisit

Let's talk about where your business is headed.

Book a consultation

Or call (540) 355-5728 · contact@ollieassoc.com