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.
Giancarlo Papini - CFO
As CFO, 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.
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.
Matt Jun - Vice President of Engineering
As Vice President of Engineering, Matt Jun will oversee key engineering projects and developments, while leading his team in meeting customer requirements and maintaining high-quality production. With 28 years in residential, automotive and heavy-duty HVAC engineering, Matt has extensive experience leading teams in the design and development of HVAC systems. Matt’s diverse range of experience provides him with crucial insight into the intricacies of industry trends and functions, and evolving customer expectations. Jun joins Red Dot after serving in a variety of distinct roles in HVAC design and application, most recently as a program manager at Trane/Ingersoll Rand.
Jun received his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering at the University of Illinois before moving on to earn a Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is also a recognized Program Management Professional.
Jun received his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering at the University of Illinois before moving on to earn a Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is also a recognized Program Management Professional.
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.
Matt Maragos - Director of Operations
As Memphis' director of operations, Matt Maragos serves as the principal organizational leader for Red Dot’s Memphis location, responsible for planning, developing and implementing policies to support operational excellence.
Matt’s career spans more than 20 years, with a focus on application engineering, operations and production improvement. He started at Modine Manufacturing designing heat exchangers and manufacturing processes at its facility in Racine, Wisconsin.
He later joined Air Monitor Corporation as a sales application engineer, designing and selling HVAC controls for buildings. He took on many leadership roles in customer service, engineering, procurement and production, ultimately overseeing daily operations as the general manager of Air Monitor’s manufacturing facility in Northern California.
Matt enjoys just about everything transportation related and has restored and modified various cars and motorcycles. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of North Dakota.
Matt’s career spans more than 20 years, with a focus on application engineering, operations and production improvement. He started at Modine Manufacturing designing heat exchangers and manufacturing processes at its facility in Racine, Wisconsin.
He later joined Air Monitor Corporation as a sales application engineer, designing and selling HVAC controls for buildings. He took on many leadership roles in customer service, engineering, procurement and production, ultimately overseeing daily operations as the general manager of Air Monitor’s manufacturing facility in Northern California.
Matt enjoys just about everything transportation related and has restored and modified various cars and motorcycles. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of North Dakota.