The Eastern Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

The Eastern has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, operations, and human resources.

Driven by innovation, The Eastern is dedicated to designing, manufacturing, and selling a diverse range of engineered hardware and security solutions across industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets, impacting global infrastructure and equipment.

Leadership Roles at The Eastern

  • Chief Executive Officer - Ali Waugh
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Ryan Schroeder
  • Chief Executive Officer & Founder - Marjan Safi
  • Chief Financial Officer - Nicholas Vlahos
  • Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - John Sullivan
  • Chief Operating Officer - Carsten Ostenfeldt
  • President - David Ho
  • Chief Information Officer - Torbjorn Dimblad
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Michael Sandaluk
  • F and A - Ruth Griggs
  • Ali Waugh - Chief Executive Officer

    Ali Waugh, the Chief Executive Officer at The Eastern, directs the overarching corporate strategy and operational execution for the company's diverse portfolio of engineered hardware and security solutions. Waugh guides the firm's expansion across industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets, ensuring alignment with the company's mission to provide robust solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients globally. This leadership involves overseeing the development and deployment of products ranging from industrial hardware like locks and hinges to advanced security and access control systems, as well as specialty metal products for mining and construction. Waugh's strategic vision focuses on driving innovation and maintaining the company's competitive edge in a dynamic manufacturing landscape. The Chief Executive Officer ensures that all business segments, including industrial hardware, security products, and metal products, operate cohesively to meet diverse application needs. Waugh's role is critical in shaping the company's market position and long-term growth trajectory, emphasizing custom-engineered solutions and sustained operational excellence across multiple countries. The Chief Executive Officer's oversight extends to fostering key relationships with clients and partners, solidifying The Eastern's reputation for quality and reliability in engineered hardware and security.
    Ali Waugh

    Ryan Schroeder - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Ryan Schroeder, the President & Chief Executive Officer at The Eastern, spearheads the company's strategic direction and operational management, driving growth across its diverse engineering and manufacturing segments. Schroeder's leadership encompasses the design, production, and sale of engineered hardware and security solutions for industrial, vehicular, and commercial applications worldwide. This involves guiding the firm's engagement with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients, ensuring the delivery of both standard and custom-engineered products. The President & Chief Executive Officer oversees critical business units, including industrial hardware, security products, and metal products, ensuring each segment contributes to the company's overall market impact. Schroeder's focus is on enhancing operational efficiency, fostering innovation in product development, and expanding market reach across multiple countries. By championing a culture of excellence, Ryan Schroeder ensures The Eastern remains at the forefront of providing reliable and advanced solutions for transportation, industrial equipment, security systems, and specialized infrastructure. The President & Chief Executive Officer's mandate includes optimizing supply chains and manufacturing processes to meet the evolving demands of global markets.
    Ryan Schroeder

    Marjan Safi - Chief Executive Officer & Founder

    Marjan Safi, the Chief Executive Officer & Founder at The Eastern, established and continues to direct the company's strategic vision and core mission. Safi's foundational leadership guides the firm's commitment to designing, manufacturing, and selling a wide array of engineered hardware and security solutions for industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets. The Chief Executive Officer & Founder oversees the company's operations across multiple countries, ensuring that The Eastern consistently supplies high-quality products to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients. This involves a deep understanding of the diverse applications served, from transportation and industrial equipment to sophisticated security systems and specialized infrastructure hardware. Safi's entrepreneurial spirit drives the company's focus on both standard and custom-engineered solutions, meeting varied client needs. The Chief Executive Officer & Founder's role is pivotal in maintaining the company's innovative edge and market responsiveness. Marjan Safi's enduring influence shapes the company's culture and its dedication to excellence in engineered hardware and security solutions, reinforcing The Eastern's position as a trusted industry partner.

    Nicholas Vlahos - Chief Financial Officer

    Nicholas Vlahos, the Chief Financial Officer at The Eastern, manages the company's financial strategy and fiscal operations, ensuring robust economic health across all business segments. Vlahos oversees financial planning, budgeting, and reporting, providing critical insights that support strategic decision-making for the firm's diverse engineered hardware and security solutions. This role involves managing financial risks, optimizing capital allocation, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations across the company's international operations. The Chief Financial Officer plays a key part in evaluating investment opportunities and driving profitability for the industrial hardware, security products, and metal products divisions. Vlahos's expertise is essential in guiding the company's financial performance, supporting its relationships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients. Nicholas Vlahos ensures that financial resources are effectively deployed to foster innovation and sustain the company's growth in the industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets. The Chief Financial Officer's stewardship is vital for maintaining investor confidence and supporting the long-term financial stability of The Eastern.

    John Sullivan - Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    John Sullivan, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at The Eastern, collaborates with the Chief Financial Officer to manage the company's financial health and strategic fiscal planning. Sullivan supports the oversight of financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance across all business segments. This role involves analyzing financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities that impact the company's engineered hardware and security solutions for industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets. The Vice President & Chief Financial Officer assists in managing financial relationships with external stakeholders, including investors and financial institutions, across multiple countries. John Sullivan's contributions are vital in supporting the company's financial stability and growth objectives, aiding in the provision of standard and custom-engineered solutions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients. Sullivan works to optimize financial performance and resource allocation, reinforcing The Eastern's commitment to fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency. The Vice President & Chief Financial Officer's support is integral to the company's sustained success.

    Carsten Ostenfeldt - Chief Operating Officer

    Carsten Ostenfeldt, the Chief Operating Officer at The Eastern, oversees the company's day-to-day operational activities, ensuring efficiency and quality across its manufacturing and distribution networks. Ostenfeldt manages the production processes for a diverse range of engineered hardware and security solutions, including industrial hardware, security products, and metal products, serving industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets globally. This involves optimizing supply chain logistics, enhancing manufacturing capabilities, and ensuring adherence to stringent quality control standards across multiple countries. The Chief Operating Officer plays a vital role in streamlining operations to support the delivery of both standard and custom-engineered solutions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients. Carsten Ostenfeldt's leadership focuses on driving operational excellence, improving productivity, and reducing costs while maintaining the high standards The Eastern is known for. By managing the core operational functions, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the company can effectively meet market demands and support its strategic growth initiatives. Ostenfeldt's expertise is critical in maintaining the seamless execution of business processes that underpin the company's success.
    Carsten Ostenfeldt

    David Ho - President

    David Ho, the President at The Eastern, directs significant aspects of the company's strategic initiatives and operational oversight, contributing to its market leadership in engineered hardware and security solutions. Ho's leadership focuses on driving business development and enhancing the company's presence in industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets across multiple countries. This involves fostering strong relationships with key clients, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and distributors, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality standard and custom-engineered products. The President plays a crucial role in guiding specific business units or regions, ensuring alignment with the overall corporate strategy and mission. David Ho's expertise contributes to the company's ability to innovate and adapt to evolving market demands. Ho's focus is on operational effectiveness and market expansion, supporting the diverse applications of The Eastern's products, from transportation equipment to security systems. The President's involvement is key to maintaining the company's competitive edge and driving sustained growth. Ho champions initiatives that enhance customer satisfaction and operational excellence.

    Torbjorn Dimblad - Chief Information Officer

    Torbjorn Dimblad, the Chief Information Officer at The Eastern, directs the company's technology strategy and information systems infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration and operational efficiency across all global functions. Dimblad oversees the implementation and management of IT solutions that support the design, manufacturing, and sales of engineered hardware and security products for industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets. This includes safeguarding sensitive data, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and leveraging technology to improve business processes and client interactions. The Chief Information Officer plays a crucial role in enabling the company's expansion across multiple countries and supporting its diverse product lines, from industrial hardware to advanced security systems. Torbjorn Dimblad's leadership ensures that technology investments align with the company's strategic objectives, driving innovation and operational excellence. By optimizing IT resources, the Chief Information Officer supports The Eastern's ability to provide both standard and custom-engineered solutions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients. Dimblad's focus is on building a resilient and scalable technology framework that underpins the company's competitive advantage.
    Torbjorn Dimblad

    Michael Sandaluk - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Michael Sandaluk, the Chief Human Resources Officer at The Eastern, leads the company's human capital strategy, focusing on talent acquisition, development, and employee engagement across its global operations. Sandaluk oversees the implementation of HR policies and programs designed to support the company's mission of providing engineered hardware and security solutions for industrial, vehicular, and commercial markets. This includes fostering a positive work environment, managing compensation and benefits, and ensuring compliance with labor laws in multiple countries. The Chief Human Resources Officer plays a critical role in building and retaining a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation in product development and manufacturing. Michael Sandaluk's strategic initiatives aim to align human resources with the company's business objectives, supporting the delivery of high-quality products to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients. By championing employee growth and development, the Chief Human Resources Officer contributes to the overall success and sustainability of The Eastern. Sandaluk's focus is on cultivating a culture that values expertise, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
    Michael Sandaluk

    Ruth Griggs - F and A

    Ruth Griggs, the F and A at The Eastern, manages critical financial and accounting functions that support the company's operational and strategic objectives. Griggs oversees key financial processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance in areas such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger management for the firm's diverse engineered hardware and security solutions. This role is essential for maintaining the financial integrity of the industrial, vehicular, and commercial market segments served by The Eastern. Griggs's responsibilities include supporting financial reporting activities and contributing to the efficient management of financial resources across multiple countries. The F and A plays a vital part in ensuring that financial transactions are accurately recorded and reconciled, facilitating smooth operations for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, and industrial clients. Ruth Griggs's meticulous attention to detail supports the company's overall financial health and operational continuity. Griggs contributes to the reliable execution of financial tasks that underpin The Eastern's business activities and client services.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding The Eastern Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads The Eastern?
    The Eastern is led by Ali Waugh (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Ryan Schroeder (President & Chief Executive Officer) and Marjan Safi (Chief Executive Officer & Founder).
    Who is part of The Eastern’s executive team?
    The executive team of The Eastern includes leaders such as Ali Waugh (Chief Executive Officer), Ryan Schroeder (President & Chief Executive Officer), Marjan Safi (Chief Executive Officer & Founder) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does The Eastern have?
    The Eastern has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in The Eastern’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of The Eastern includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer.