John Kaestle - CEO
As Red Dot’s CEO, John Kaestle is responsible for driving the strategic vision for the company and building on Red Dot’s strong history of manufacturing excellence. He assumed the position in 2020, bringing decades of international leadership experience.
John comes to Red Dot after working in manufacturing and distribution roles for more than 30 years in over 45 countries. John has led successful businesses in paper and packaging, specialty chemicals, advanced materials, high recovery RO systems for naval warships and cruise vessels, fluoropolymers, membranes and water technologies, and automotive cabling.
In addition to his leadership roles, John is a recognized authority on manufacturing methods focusing on safety, quality, waste and cost reductions, and productivity. He is also a thought leader in TQM, Lean and ISO. John holds an MBA from Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business.
John comes to Red Dot after working in manufacturing and distribution roles for more than 30 years in over 45 countries. John has led successful businesses in paper and packaging, specialty chemicals, advanced materials, high recovery RO systems for naval warships and cruise vessels, fluoropolymers, membranes and water technologies, and automotive cabling.
In addition to his leadership roles, John is a recognized authority on manufacturing methods focusing on safety, quality, waste and cost reductions, and productivity. He is also a thought leader in TQM, Lean and ISO. John holds an MBA from Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business.
Pat Carroll - Vice President of Sales
Pat Carroll has spent his career developing client relationships and serving customers’ needs in the off-road industry. As Red Dot’s vice president of sales, Pat fosters existing client relationships and works to expand the company’s foothold across the OEM and aftermarket sectors.
In his 25 years at Red Dot, Pat has spearheaded the development and growth of the company’s off-road division. He is committed to serving as an excellent business partner and understanding the needs of aftermarket and OE customers, while continuing to drive innovation within Red Dot to ensure that the company meets their evolving needs.
Pat graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural mechanization.
In his 25 years at Red Dot, Pat has spearheaded the development and growth of the company’s off-road division. He is committed to serving as an excellent business partner and understanding the needs of aftermarket and OE customers, while continuing to drive innovation within Red Dot to ensure that the company meets their evolving needs.
Pat graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural mechanization.
Artak Arakelian - Vice President of Operations
Artak Arakelian brings a wide range of knowledge in sales, operations, lean strategies and innovative productivity improvement methods to Red Dot. As vice president of operations, he reports to the president while playing a pivotal role in supporting and executing Red Dot’s strategic vision.
Artak came to Red Dot in 2017 a wealth of experience in the aerospace manufacturing industry, having served as director of sales and marketing and operations manager at Precision Castparts Corporation for more than seven years.
Artak holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of California Los Angeles, as well as a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Southern California. Additionally, he was one of three people recognized for Excellence in Strategic Thinking in UCLA’s MBA graduating class of 2014.
Artak came to Red Dot in 2017 a wealth of experience in the aerospace manufacturing industry, having served as director of sales and marketing and operations manager at Precision Castparts Corporation for more than seven years.
Artak holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of California Los Angeles, as well as a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Southern California. Additionally, he was one of three people recognized for Excellence in Strategic Thinking in UCLA’s MBA graduating class of 2014.
Giancarlo Papini - Vice President of Finance
As vice president, Giancarlo Papini oversees all financial operations at Red Dot, including financial planning, reporting and analysis, as well as managing the company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Most importantly, he acts as a strategic partner and advisor to the executive leadership team to support the overall innovation and decision-making of each department.
Giancarlo joined Red Dot as a controller in 2016 and was promoted to vice president of finance two years later. Prior to that, Giancarlo gained 10 years of financial and accounting experience in various positions at Flow International (now Shape Technologies) in Kent, Washington. Previously, he worked in public accounting with KPMG.
Giancarlo holds a Bachelor of Accounting from Western Washington University and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Washington. He is also a licensed CPA in the State of Washington.
He is a lifetime resident of the Northwest and is married with three children.
Giancarlo joined Red Dot as a controller in 2016 and was promoted to vice president of finance two years later. Prior to that, Giancarlo gained 10 years of financial and accounting experience in various positions at Flow International (now Shape Technologies) in Kent, Washington. Previously, he worked in public accounting with KPMG.
Giancarlo holds a Bachelor of Accounting from Western Washington University and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Washington. He is also a licensed CPA in the State of Washington.
He is a lifetime resident of the Northwest and is married with three children.
Tony Chun - Director of Information Technology
As director of IT, Tony Chun leads his team as they work together to ensure all corporate enterprise IT systems are available and working properly, while also overseeing the day-to-day functions of the company’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to ensure all department processes are running smoothly.
Tony began his career at Red Dot as the IT help desk supervisor in 2005, and still regards that initial job role as his favorite. Since then, Tony has served in various roles in IT including Oracle applications manager and senior IT business systems analyst.
He gained nine years of experience as a medic in the U.S. Army before pursuing a career in information technology. Like many others at Red Dot, Tony is a second-generation employee and was inspired to join Red Dot because he witnessed firsthand the opportunities and stability Red Dot provided for his family.
When not at work, Tony can be found on the golf course, on the slopes or spending time with his wife and three children.
Tony began his career at Red Dot as the IT help desk supervisor in 2005, and still regards that initial job role as his favorite. Since then, Tony has served in various roles in IT including Oracle applications manager and senior IT business systems analyst.
He gained nine years of experience as a medic in the U.S. Army before pursuing a career in information technology. Like many others at Red Dot, Tony is a second-generation employee and was inspired to join Red Dot because he witnessed firsthand the opportunities and stability Red Dot provided for his family.
When not at work, Tony can be found on the golf course, on the slopes or spending time with his wife and three children.
Chris O'Claire - Director of Supply Chain
As Red Dot’s director of supply chain, Chris O’Claire is responsible for overseeing all procurement, material planning, inventory control, and sales and operations planning (S&OP). He collaborates with operations on a daily basis to ensure they have the right materials, at the right time and in the right quantity, to drive forward production as efficiently as possible. He is passionate about striving to exceed customer expectations and developing supply chain strategies to best meet their needs.
Chris brings more than 15 years of experience in supply chain and operations, having served in various roles at Esterline Technologies Corporation and Honeywell Aerospace, and enjoys seeing the tangible results of his work and the positive impact of Red Dot’s products on customers.
Chris has a bachelor’s degree in operations management and a Master of Business Administration from Seattle University.
Chris brings more than 15 years of experience in supply chain and operations, having served in various roles at Esterline Technologies Corporation and Honeywell Aerospace, and enjoys seeing the tangible results of his work and the positive impact of Red Dot’s products on customers.
Chris has a bachelor’s degree in operations management and a Master of Business Administration from Seattle University.
Fred Norris - Director of Quality Systems
Fred joined Red Dot in December of 2017, bringing with him a wealth of experience in quality management, and now drives Red Dot’s quality improvement initiatives through collaboration with the operations team. He oversees Quality Management System (QMS) compliance and inspection requirements, while managing all company-wide quality policies, procedures, processes, programs, practices and QMS training to ensure Red Dot continuously fulfills appropriate standards and regulations.
Before assuming his role at Red Dot, Fred was responsible for QMS compliance and inspection requirements at Issaquah-based Mechatronics, Inc., and has previously held similar positions at PACCAR Inc., Philips, Panasonic Avionics and Starbucks Coffee Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington State University.
Before assuming his role at Red Dot, Fred was responsible for QMS compliance and inspection requirements at Issaquah-based Mechatronics, Inc., and has previously held similar positions at PACCAR Inc., Philips, Panasonic Avionics and Starbucks Coffee Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington State University.